Desde Otro 0/ From Another Zero: No Way Back. Stories that need to be produced

A Blog-View

If you follow our podcast, you might have heard that From Another Zero in its learning curve and in an attempt to be more democratic with content, will refer to the points of views expressed in any of our formats, be it here on the blog, podcast or our YouTube Channel as -Views-. In this case, a Blog-View.

No Way Back Jessica John. Credit Daren-Scott

I am always grateful to theatre companies and creatives that so nicely send over their work to put a discussion on the table. The Roustabouts Theatre Co. has done amazing and taken this pandemic situation "by the horns" to continue doing theatre. Stories like No Way Back which is their latest piece streaming on-demand until December 13, is one of the many that should be told and produced over and over.

Written by Mahshid Fashandi Hager, starring Jessica John, and directed by Fran Gercke, No Way Back was the 2018 winner of the companies 'Solo Show' contest. Based on true events during Fashandi's childhood in the seventies, escaping from Iran during the revolution. One of the various highlights of this production is that is being told through the eyes of a 10-year-old girl, very well captured. Similar to their other production Roosevelt, Charge the Bear also available for streaming, there are travel shots or 180 shots during Jessica John's performance that are specific to the format and deliver the intensity and thriller-like feeling needed to tell the story.

No Way Back Jessica John. Credit Daren-Scott

Jessica John's performance is good, a timely portrayal where this young girl is questioning what is happening around her and why? Another highlight in this story is a reflection in regards to children who many times are underestimated and in reality see more than we realize. Something that will remain more of a hint to not give it away, is an iconic song of an iconic American movie, sung in Farsi.

As a person with Iranian inlaws, I was very interested in watching this story. The thing that stood out was the accent. For me, it was a more a Russian-esque type of accent than Persian. I also consider that the timeline needs a little bit of rewriting. The events happen too fast and it gets hard to catch up at times and suddenly, the play is over. Still, the Roustabouts deserve an A+ for effort because again, these stories need to be told and that is the first step. To share a different vision with different people and away from stereotypes.

“I think there are a lot of people who think that immigrants are poor and uneducated and are ‘lucky’ to be here and a burden on our country,” Shared Mahshid Fashandi in the press release, “But my grandmother had been wealthy, educated, and happy in her own country. She had lived a beautiful life, until she literally had to flee for her life. She loved this country because it represented freedom and protection, not because she hated her own culture and background and wanted to live like an American. In fact, she was incredibly proud of that culture and background".