First criterion for a political play: usefulness. When people complain about the theater not being "political" enough, they usually mean that they want it to be rabble-rousing, to get everybody's temper all riled up over some currently pressing issue. Those who've sat (or stood, at protest rallies) through a few thousand examples of this sort of preaching to the choir know exactly how little good it does. It may help believers feel reaffirmed in what they already believe—which is needed every so often, I concede—but you can't count on it to open opponents' eyes or shift the undecided into your camp. The play that can make a start on those activities is a very... More >>>