Reviewed by Amalisha HuEck
Partially based on a true story, the world premiere of BIAS, written and directed by Art Shulman, gives us an inclination of an individual outlook on students – cheating. Professor Josh Goldman (Jerry Weil) discovers three students who have the same answers on the test, literally word by word and the suspicion of cheating takes place. It happens that those three students are Middle Eastern, so … the game begins, ‘The professor accuses students of cheating, and the students accuse the professor of discrimination.’
Cleverly written, the story catches you right from the start due to a powerful opening of Prof. Goldman. With his clear vocal expression (very appreciated), he indicates how much he loves his profession, and teaching means everything to him. He is very professional and does not like lazy students; especially because he worked very hard to achieve where he is today. On suspicion of five Middle Eastern students cheating, three of them with the same answers, he visits Department Chair Dr. Kate O’Connor (wonderfully portrayed by Nina Bell), who advises him to report the suspicion to the Student Affairs. After investigation, the students are not prosecuted for cheating, due to a lack of evidence. They claim – they studied together and therefore, they had the same answers.
Heavy topic, but the play is very laid-back, with no yelling and screaming, yet the emotions are wonderfully expressed with subtlety and true feelings. Ali Alkashar (Aziz Tazi), the bright young man – a student who starts it all, needs a passing grade to make his parents proud. His concern about his grade gets him to go for revenge and accuses Prof. of discrimination because of him being biased against his nationality. In defending himself, Prof. throws the curves and admits to being biased and gives us an argument explaining that every single person is biased; we all have our views and opinions, we all like and dislike things – it’s basic human nature, and so in determining the truth, justice is easier achieved. Andree Mulia portrays April Walters, a representative of the Student Affairs, Morry Schorr is Omar Bashar, Rasha Elabaji plays a role of Fatima Absolom and Sammie Wayne IV is sharp and to the point, in portrayal of Javier Ramirez, who enjoys being in charge as Deciding Official. As we know, an excellent cast is half the success of a play.
I really enjoyed this show! And I highly recommend it, especially because presently this play is particularly timely, ‘Universities are currently making headlines on issues of discrimination and diversity …’
M&M’s play a huge part in the play. The little replica gadgets, slightly different in appearance, with different color coating of M&M’s on the outside, even though the taste inside is pretty much the same, sit on the little side table at Dept Chair O’Connor, as well as in Prof. Goldman’s office. These two small mechanical devices indicate – in which office we are in. Another ingenious setup.
Produced by Borough Park Productions, the play runs at Hudson Guilt Theatre, 6539 Santa Monica Blvd., LA. from November 21 to December 14. The performances are on Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm, and Sundays at 2 pm. (Note: No show on December 7, one matinee is added on Saturday, December 6).
Admission is $30, and $25 for seniors (with promo code 007). Estimated running time is one hour and 40 minutes, plus intermission.
Online ticketing can be done by visiting: http://onstage411.com/bias
*** Upon leaving, we were all gracefully given another little surprise – small pouches of M&M’s. Since it was mentioned that the least common M&M among all different colors are the brown ones, when I opened the pouch and put them all on the palm of my hand, I did not find even one brown M&M. In conclusion, I decided to assume (in being biased) that the officials for this production do not like reviewers. (hope this lays well, I am just being in tune with the topic)