Show Notes: A View From The Bridge

 

it's a tight little play, focused on one immigrant family in New York. Eddy is a tragic hero, responsible for his own undoing. Beatrice (his wife), and Katherine (his niece and romantic interest) get entangled with two Sicilian illegal immigrants. Eddie pines for his niece, who also has a shot of moving up the class ladder because of how she looks and speaks. But she ends up dating Rodolpho, who Eddy accuses of being gay, and only wanting her for a visa -- so he can have her to himself. At one point, during a breakdown he says "he's stealing from me." There's a beautiful show of strength from Rodolpho's brother who picks up a chair with just one hand -- it really draws you in in the staging, and a lot of discussion around what it means to be the "right sort" of man. In the end, Eddy ends up calling the cops on his lodgers and getting them deported -- and Marco stabs him as the cops drag him away. 
The second generation immigrant story is an interesting one, and relevant. Lots of themes I think I encounter in my life -- a central question dramatised here through Eddy and his family is one I really see with my own friends moving up or helping others like yourself. 

Quotes: 

"You can't eat the view" Rodolpho, describing Sicily to Katherine. Yes, its a beautiful place, but you need more than beauty to live. 
"He was as good a man as he had to be" narrator describing Eddy. 
"Just remember, kid, you can quicker get back a million dollars that was stole than a word that you gave away."