-Brenda Hillegas
photo by Johanna Austin
The Philadelphia premiere of The Elephant in the Room, written and performed by our city’s own Priyanka Shetty, and directed by Suli Holum, has been extended through November 19th. Rightfully so. Though the season has just started for most theatres in our area, and so many great shows are yet to come, this is one you just cannot miss.
Last week, I attended a preview performance of Shetty’s dynamic one-woman show where audiences immediately become a friend and a part of her backstage ritual. Shetty’s about to go on stage, telling people her real-life story of wanting to be herself and make big choices. And although she’s done this before, it’s different this time- her parents are in the audience! Doesn’t seem so bad, except we find out that Indian-born Shetty, a software engineer, makes a huge move after landing a great IT job back home- she gives it all up to head to the US and pursue an acting career!
Good for her, right? Except things don’t always turn out the way we want them to. Dreams get sidetracked. And still, she defies what’s expected of her to create a life that’s intended for her. Shetty, a graduated from the University of Virginia with a Master of Fine Arts degree, takes us through her story. It’s an intense, emotional ride about cultural differences, so many challenges, love and loss, and not giving up. You’ll leave the theatre feeling braver, bolder, hopeful.
Learn more about Shetty and all of the well-deserved praise for this performance on her website. She’s touring The Elephant in the Room for the 23/24 season. If you don’t get a chance to see the show here in Philadelphia, try to catch it at another venue this year.
The Elephant in the Room runs through November 19th at Azuka Theatre (Louis Bluver Theatre at The Drake, 302 S. Hicks Street) where all performances are pay-what-you-wish after you see the show. Make your reservations here.
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