FAMILIAR by Playwright Danai Gurira is Disarming Family Dynamics

Award winning playwright, Danai Gurira has 2 plays currently running.  "Eclipsed" on B'wy &  "Familiar" at The Playwrights Horizons.  Gurira's (b. US and raised in Zimbabwe) writes about Zimbabwe immigrants who fled during the Rhodesian Bush War (1964-1979) and live in MN.  The couple have raised their 2 adult daughters, Tendi who is about to be married and Nyasha just returning from Africa to attend the wedding.  The parents Donald & Marvelous live in an upscale suburban area. Margaret is Marvelous' sister.  She lives nearby & is there for her neice's wedding.  Donald is mild mannered and Marvelous is overbearing & commandeering.  As soon as Nyasha returns the bickering between mother & daughter commence, anger mounts and Donald hides out.  Can't blame him for all the yelling.  The boisterous, canterkous accusations fly at high decibles.  Commotion centers around preparations for Tendi's wedding to Chris.  Chris does religious volunteer work in Africa.  Tendi is an atty with her father's firm.  Weddings call up tradition and tension.  The conflicts deal with blending African & US traditions not with race.  FAMILIAR has scenarios of assimilation but on a much broader scale.  The situation spirals out of control when the oldest sister who still lives in Zimbabwe arrives with her own agenda for the nuptials.   The 1st act is a hilarious parody of respect, heritage, relgious & culturak values that is preposterous. The 2nd act takes a serious, absurdist twist that bring intelligence & awareness to what constitutes a family and questions when customs become antiquated.  Gurira's clever writing and strong cast performances combine for an entertaining and discerning play. FAMILIAR resonates on many levels but is atypical from most family dramas.  Nyasha's solo at the end is beautiful. I give the play an A.