A Pursuit of the American Dream

Dishwasher Dreams – Writers Theatre

Every so often a story comes along that really makes you feel deeply and think about who you are and how you got to that place in life. Alaudin Ullah, an actor and stand-up comic, whose parents immigrated to America from Bangladesh in the early 20th century, is currently performing his one-man show at Writers Theatre. And Mr. Ullah’s very touching, often humorous performance, is such a story.

Alaudin Ullah grew up on the mean streets of New York City’s Spanish Harlem. As the only Bengali family in this tough Puerto Rican neighborhood, he compares his difficult formative years to being Amish at a rap music concert. Like almost every teenage boy, Alaudin lived for baseball and rebelled against his parents and his culture. It wasn’t until after graduating from high school, when Alaudin left home and moved to Los Angeles to pursue acting, that he began to understand and empathize with his parents. 

His father, Habib, had worked as a laborer on the ship that brought him to America. Once settled into his small New York apartment, he found work as a dishwasher in a restaurant. But Habib had a dream. His wife encouraged him to pursue his passion of becoming a chef and owning his own restaurant; but Habib soon began to realize that others were making their fortunes off his hard work. So Alaudin’s father sold his Bengal Garden Restaurant went back to washing dishes, but with dreams of achieving something more for his family.

As a struggling LA actor, Alaudin soon discovered that the only TV and films roles he was being offered were demeaning Muslim stereotypes. As he tried to sound authentic and convincing in these roles, the actor began to realize that he was channeling his father. Alaudin was experiencing what his dad had learned years ago: that the American Dream only really exists for an individual if he’s Caucasian.

So Alaudin decided to try his hand at stand-up comedy instead. He struggled and struggled, but without much success. Eventually Alaudin met his stand-up hero, George Carlin. He convinced Alaudin that he needed to write from his own experiences, to be self-deprecating and take a stand. The would-be comedian decided to return to New York City where he knew the lay of the land and better understood the audience there for eclectic comedy. After trying out his act at smaller venues, Alaudin finally landed a gig at Manhattan’s famous Don’t Tell Mama. Ironically, this club was very near where his father’s restaurant had been located, and it was here that he would achieve his first success.

In this humorous, heartfelt, 90-minute performance, sensitively directed by Chay Yew, and accompanied by musician Avirodh Sharma on Tabla percussion, Alaudin Ullah traces his fascinating journey from the bullied child of immigrant parents to a trailblazing star in the world of comedy. With a resume that sports critically acclaimed performances on HBO, MTV, BET, PBS and Comedy Central, as well as live appearances on stages across the country, Alaudin continues to share his exhilarating story. Set within a simple, but elegant scenic design by Yu Shibagaki and lit with artistry by Anshuman Bhatia, Ullah’s one-man autobiographical play helps challenge and correct the misconception Americans have about South Asian and Muslim immigrants. At the same time, this talented comic actor offers an inspiring, often hilarious story of one man’s family and their pursuit of the American Dream.           

Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented December 9-January 23, in association with Hartford Stage, by Writers Theatre, 325 Tudor Court, Glencoe, IL.

Tickets are available in person at the theatre box office, by calling 847-242-6000 or by going to www.writerstheatre.org.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.