Review: Rockwall Community Players' THE IMMIGRANT will move into your heart with ease and admiration.

The Immigrant

By: Mark Harelik

Directed by: Felicia Sykes and LaDawn Brown

Produced by: Rockwall Community Playhouse

Audience Rating: G

Running Time:  Two and a half hours with one 15 minute intermission

Accessible Seating: Available

Hearing Devices: Not Available

Sensory Friendly Showing: Not Available

ASL Showing:  Not Available

Sound Level:  Comfortable

Audio/Visuals To Prepare For:  None

Reviewed by Dan C. Rogers

The Immigrant moves! Emotionally, thoughtfully, magically, beatifically, The Immigrant is a subtle symbolic link to today’s environment.  In 1910 Russian Jewish immigrant Haskell Harelik lands in Hamilton, Texas, unable to speak English. This true story progresses over many years as depicted by the playwright’s grandfather Haskell Harelik. Haskell’s learning experiences in language, religion, and culture, are portrayed by a very talented Adam Vigil, who had to cope with communicating in three languages. His soft, confused, proud Haskell is a man of dignity and compassion. 

After meeting Ima and Milton Perry, so gently acted by  Micha Marie Stevens and James A. Brown, Haskell moves from selling bananas from a push cart for a penny a banana, to eventually opening a dry goods store, thanks to the business acumen of Milton.  The kind-hearted Ima is the supportive link between a small town in Texas to the uncomfortable and awkward culture Haskell knew in Russia. When his fruit cart is shot full of holes by xenophobic rowdies you feel the damage to the very soul of Ima. Milton has difficulty adjusting to the muti-cultural confusion and determination of Haskell. James A. Brown holds the emotion to a steady simmer of being uncomfortable until the immigration crisis of WWII hits close to home.  Rue Underwood plays a frightened and timid Leah Harelik, adjusting and coping with her husband’s changing thought processes. 

The Immigrant is not heavy handed, preachy, or didactic. Haskell is humorously confused with the Texas expression of ‘busting your butt’. The church going Baptist Ima experiences her first sip of wine with observations not typical of a teetotaler.  The birth of the three Harelik children is a hilarious cacophony of a nervous father-to-be, a front stoop that constantly breaks, the sound of a mother in labor, and an uncomfortable neighbor trying to be helpful. The concluding appearance of Milton Harelik is a nostalgic salute as presented by the composed and credible Casey Norris.

Co-Directors Felicia Sykes and LaDawn Brown have crafted a gentle loving story of a grandson admiring his grandfather. With slides of flashback photographs, and updates on the progression of time, quick costume changes, and make-up depicting the passage of the years, the story of The Immigrant grows on the emotions of the audience. This moving intimate look at what Haskell Harelik and his family endured will fill you with anxiety, joy, frustration and pride. 

Kudos for efficient scene changes that were unobtrusive and well organized. The back-stage crew was quiet, prepared, and deliberate. They moved from interior to exterior with coordinated grace and timing. 

The Immigrant runs September 11 - 27 at the Rockwall Community Playhouse. Tickets can be ordered by  calling  972-722-3399  or going online to https://www.rockwallcommunityplayhouse.org/buy-tickets/

It is just what the doctor ordered.

DR