I have a confession to make. When I received the invitation to “Hoaxocaust,” my first thought was “oh HELL no!” But I kept coming back to a line in the invitation “If the Holocaust didn’t happen, what did?” With my curiosity thus piqued, I went down the Rabbit Hole to a fascinating Gordian knot of logic and a reflective, brooding philosophical journey that took me to the Mordor of the Fox News set. I learned the way that the conservative “experts” make their arguments for how one of the greatest atrocities of modern times did not–nay COULD not–actually happen. Wow!
This intense piece only runs about 75 minutes and Barry Levey, writer and performer, whisks us away almost immediately from the 14th Street Y’s theatre, around the country and across the world. We meet his Dominican boyfriend Anthony, his mother, and a group of conservatives who man-splain how we have all been brainwashed to believe that, in the early part of the last century, some lives were less-equal than others. This is a must-see for everyone, from Millennials, who get their news from small screens, to those of us who remember when 13-channel television gave us straight-up news that was separate from commentary. And they were labeled as such. We travel the globe on our quest and, when you leave the theatre, be prepared for homework. This is not entertainment: it’s a scholarly exercise and a masterful example of how really good writing can grab you from the beginning. You’ll soon be in the darkest of woods and Barry will ultimately lead you out with his cast of characters and international flair.
While, initially, it took Barry a bit to get into this story telling, it’s not clear whether that was accident or design. There are a couple of spots where the story could be heightened a bit for a further “gotcha.” When we left the theatre, my companion and I were turning this gem over and over in our minds. This is a must-see, must-experience for all the thinkers in your life. Hopefully, you’re one of them.
Hoaxocaust only runs through the end of September, so get your tickets now! Visit www.14streety.org/NowPlaying for tickets and more information.