Bethany @ NY Center Stage

Bethany is cogent & compelling play reflecting not only the demise of the American Dream, but the diaspora for the thousands whose homes have been forelosed.  The play opens with an "inspirational speeker," Charlie, making the grandiose claim "They could have saved their homes with the secrets he has to share."  The one act, one set play, packs a lot of pain & pathos from Crystal, played with raw emotion by America Ferrera (Ugly Betty.)  Crystal enters a vacated home in a neighborhood where the majority of homes have been forelosed.  Unbeknownst to her, there is a squatter, Gary, who had already laid claim to the house.  Her fright at encountering Gary yields to a forged co-habitation she desperately needs to present the facade of a stable living environment needed to regain custody of her 5 year old daughter, Bethany.  Crystal works @ a Saturn car dealership about to be shut down.  Her salary is based solely on commission.  She has everything riding on Charlie as a viable buyer.  She is desperate enough to go the extra mile to close the deal.  Crystal is struggling to maintain a semblence of stable domesticity to her social worker.  Despite a courageous battle to forge a living & establish a compatable living situation with her seemingly benevolent vagrant, Gary, her world is crashing in around her.  Charlie is crazed charlatan who preys on Crystal's desperaton. Gary's graps on reality turns to violent, paranoid survivalist rantings.  This intelligent play builds in intensity as fiscal problems are brought to the forefront.  How far can a mother be driven to protect & provide for her child?  This play convincingly argues, to Saturn & back.