[PORTO]

Columbus Underground review

Dispatch Review

It is a difficult time to think about making responsible choices. We know far more about our world than past generations; curtains have been pulled back over the years, revealing at least some of what “actually happens.” We know where things come from, how they are made, how they affect others. We want to act responsibly but there are negative consequences to nearly every choice we make, consequences that don’t just affect us, but the world at large: How can you eat responsibly knowing that many animals are tortured and agribusiness contributes to global environmental change? How do you date and not reinforce the patriarchy? It goes on and on. Can we enjoy the sausage once we know how it’s made? The anxiety of over-analysis in order to make a “good” decision is paralyzing.

In Buddhism there is a term for this way of thinking, monkey mind. It is used to describe the agitated, distracted, and constantly moving nature of the human consciousness. Many books, articles, blogs, etc., are written about “taming” the monkey mind.

I haven’t seen a play that so perfectly tapped into the state of monkey mind as [PORTO].

It’s wonderful and comforting and validating to see characters grapple with this. We are not alone. Playwright Kate Benson encourages us to get out of our head and live and find our joy. Yes we must think, but we must also act.

And it’s important that this is a feminist play. As Benson noted in a Village Voice interview with Carey Purcell: “If there’s a political act in the play — and I think there is, and I hope it’s being perceived that way — it’s this: the idea that the human we follow is a woman and the human we hear from is a woman, and the resolution happens through women and through men trying to understand women and understand things from their points of view. And the fact that the man is asked to reflect on his desire also feels very important.”

There will never be a perfect choice, an answer that has no negative consequences. But no one is an island. Eat that sausage, or don’t. Stop making yourself sick and missing life trying to decide what to do. Do your best. But Do. I think this is a message we need reaffirmed very much right now. And I’m grateful Kate Benson gave us the reminder by writing [PORTO].

Dispatch Preview

Food. Drinks. Books. A bartender who won't let you order anything lame.
A handsome stranger walks in and asks for something special, setting off an upside-down romantic comedy inside and out of our heroine's head. Desires of all kinds are awakened with a ferocious thump.

A nice smile is a nice smile, but can we enjoy the sausage once we know how it’s made?