When you step into Urban Stages’ intimate theater on W. 30th Street, be prepared to be transported to an old-fashioned home in North Carolina, a place far away from the world that holds a special, but also traumatic, meaning for Mira, a biracial Korean American classical violinist. It is the home of her white grandfather, Edgar, and a place where she developed her love for music, especially blends of Appalachian, old-time, and bluegrass music and songs. It is where she has some fond childhood memories and where her life also drastically took a change. Mira is there with her boyfriend Beckett, a musician who is studying this type of music, and who is there to help her through a painful journey of memories and support her in confronting her grandfather. This play touches the heart and the soul in such a stunning way, and it also lets the audience see that, no matter what happens in a family, there can be a road to reconciliation if one wants it badly enough.
As this play begins, with old music and a story splendidly written by Sherry Stregack Lutken, Lisa Helmi Johanson, Morgan Morse, and David M. Lutken, you have no idea how deep it will take you into a world of racism and family betrayal, with a strong need for reconciliation. It is an incredibly moving production to experience and tells the story of how the pandemic affected Asian Americans in a way that I have never witnessed before and will never forget. This is not surprising since the play was developed during the pandemic. The emotions expressed are rare and real.
This phenomenal production is conceived and directed by Sherry Stregack Lutken. There is such a feeling of harmony in this play that you sit there and find yourself going for the ride, whether it is enjoying the songs and the various instruments being played live, or simply beholding a cast that is completely invested in telling a story that touched so many.
David M. Lutken and Morgan Morse also star in this production as actors/musicians, along with Tora Nogami Alexander. Lutken is absolutely mesmerizing and dynamic as Edgar. You can feel the hurt that his character feels due to not hearing from his granddaughter for so many years. But you also see the aspects of his beliefs that would turn his granddaughter away. Morse is amusing, energized, and engaging as Beckett. He has a marvelous energy on stage. Alexander is completely engulfing as Mira. Her character is struggling with coming face-to-face with her grandfather, and with the racism that her own family showed her and her parents, and trying to figure out how, after so many years, they can begin to come together and heal.
“The Porch on Windy Hill” is a deep, witty work that will have you experiencing all the mixed emotions that these characters face. While musically, these characters often come to a meeting of the minds and find a glorious harmony, they also know that they have to find a path to healing. It has to start somewhere.
From the time that you step into Urban Stages at 259 W 30th Street, you will be engaged by the detailed set by Andrew Robinson, along with the delightful lighting design by John Salutz, sound design by Sun Hee Kil, and costume design by Grace Jeon. For tickets, visit urbanstages.org.