Sierra Stages’ “The Thanksgiving Play” on Sept. 19-Oct. 5 in Nevada City

SIERRA STAGES CONTINUES A CAPTIVATING, thought-provoking season of local theater in the foothills in September with a wickedly funny satire “The Thanksgiving Play.”

It follows Sierra Stages’ exceptional production of “Cabaret,” which continues until August 3 at the historic Nevada Theatre in Nevada City. “Sierra Stages revived a story that, more than 50 years later, has remained relevant,” as the Sacramento News & Review astutely observed.

“The Thanksgiving Play” is a relatively new work by playwright Larissa FastHorse, a Native American (Sicangu Lakota). It is directed by Sandra Rockman and runs from September 19-October 5, also at the Nevada Theatre.

Four mismatched artists attempt to devise an ethnically sensitive play for the local schools to celebrate both Thanksgiving and Native American Heritage Month — with no Native American actors.

Political correctness, ego and just plain ignorance collide as these well-meaning self-proclaimed artists try to perform a Thanksgiving miracle (without killing any turkeys).

“In Larissa FastHorse’s ‘The Thanksgiving Play,’ the familiar, whitewashed story of Pilgrims and Native Americans chowing down together gets a delicious roasting,” according to a New York Times review of “The Thanksgiving Play.”

FastHorse’s work “radically engages indigenous collaborators to explore onstage representations of the joys and challenges that the Native community faces,” wrote Creative-Capital.org, adding, “’The Thanksgiving Play’ is a hilarious and poignant play that touches upon weighty issues such as privilege, representation and appropriation, but never loses its sense of humor.”

Sierra Stages is a nonprofit community theater based in western Nevada County that provides quality, award-winning productions that are affordable and accessible to everyone.

Since it began 11 years ago, Sierra Stages has presented 38 plays and musicals at various local venues, including the Nevada Theatre and Miners Foundry Cultural Center in Nevada City and The Center for the Arts and Off Center Stage in Grass Valley.

(Photo: Playwrights Horizons)