🔥 The Real Deal on "Can I Touch It?" in Los Angeles: Your Ultimate Guide to the Hit Play! 🎭
Hey, what's up, LA? Are you ready to dive headfirst into some seriously powerful and hilarious theater? Forget your avocado toast and your traffic nightmares for a minute—we're talking about "can i touch it?", the play that's been making waves, especially when it rolls through the City of Angels. This ain't just some dusty old stage production; it's a Rolling World Premiere by the phenomenal playwright Francisca Da Silveira, and it tackles some majorly relevant stuff with a side of belly laughs. Get ready to be schooled on the politics of hair, gentrification, and just trying to run your business when the world's got you feeling all kinds of way. It's a whole vibe, trust me.
This piece is going to be your de facto cheat sheet, a long-form deep dive that breaks down what this play is, why it matters, and how you can get in on the action (without getting a ticket for trespassing, unlike trying to touch the Hollywood Sign—pro-tip, don't do that). So, buckle up, buttercup, because we’re about to spill the tea!
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| Can I Touch It Play Los Angeles |
Step 1: Grasping the Vibe – What's the Play Really About?
If you're hearing the title "can i touch it?" and just thinking about a Busta Rhymes song or someone asking about a new handbag, you're missing the whole shebang. This play is a masterclass in combining high-stakes drama with genuine comedy, all centered on a topic that’s super personal and super political: Black hair and Black-owned businesses.
1.1 The Core Conflict: Shay Solomon’s Fight
Meet Shay Solomon. She's the heart and soul of this play. She's a single mom, a rock in her community, and the owner of a Black beauty supply shop in a neighborhood that is changing faster than the LA weather. The shop isn't just a store; it’s a sanctuary. But a big-shot, kinda shady bank—Patron Bank—is circling her block like a hawk, trying to snap up foreclosed properties and basically gentrify the life out of the area.
Shay is desperately fighting for a loan to keep her business afloat, but the bank, in what feels like a deliberate roadblock, keeps throwing up walls. The title itself is a sharp, witty reference to the microaggressions and outright disrespect Black women face, particularly when strangers feel entitled to ask about or touch their hair. It links the personal (her hair) to the professional (her business, her livelihood). It's a deep cut, but it hits!
1.2 The Squad: Family, Friends, and Foes
Tip: Absorb, don’t just glance.
This play is packed with a small but mighty cast, often with actors double or even triple-casting to represent the different pressures Shay faces:
Meeka: Shay’s niece and employee. She's the fire—young, feisty, and ready to take the fight straight to social media and the streets. She represents the "no-holds-barred" approach to activism.
Ruth: Shay’s college-bound daughter. She’s caught between supporting her mom and worrying about her own future in a changing world.
The Bankers/Outsiders: These characters are often played by the same actors as community members or friends, highlighting the sneaky, pervasive nature of systemic issues like gentrification. When the banker asks to touch Shay's hair, it’s not just rude, it’s a power move.
Step 2: Hitting the LA Scene – The Rogue Machine Connection
So, why is this play getting all this hype in Los Angeles? Because it was part of a major theatrical event called a National New Play Network (NNPN) Rolling World Premiere. Think of it like a highly exclusive, super-cool theatrical tour where a new play gets its first run at a few different top-tier theaters across the country.
2.1 The Rogue Machine Theatre Run
In LA, the production was championed by Rogue Machine Theatre. These guys are known for bringing in edgy, important, and kick-you-in-the-gut new works. They staged the play at the Matrix Theatre, and the reviews were lit. Critics called it "urgent and resonant" and an "incredibly fun, laugh-out-loud romp" that also manages to be a serious drama. That's a tough balance to nail, y'all!
2.2 Why LA Gets It
Los Angeles is the perfect backdrop for this play. We know a thing or two about gentrification, about big money trying to push out the real people, and about the struggle of local, independent businesses. The themes of the play—race, equity, community displacement, and the personal cost of corporate greed—resonate deep with anyone who calls LA home and feels the squeeze. It’s like it was written for our city.
Step 3: Decoding the Drama – How the Story Unfolds
Tip: Look for examples to make points easier to grasp.
This play is a wild ride, jumping from the realistic setting of Shay's beauty supply shop to a more fantastical, magical space—a peaceful mental retreat Shay uses when the world's stupid questions get too much.
3.1 The Reality Check Moments
Much of the play is straight-up drama that feels like eavesdropping on a real-life struggle. You see Shay dealing with:
Paperwork and bank rejection letters—the bureaucratic nightmare of finance.
Tension with her niece, Meeka, who wants to stage an all-out revolt against the bank.
The everyday, exhausting toll of being a pillar of the community while her own foundation is shaking.
3.2 The Funky, Fantastic Elements
This is where the playwright truly shines. When Shay is hit with a particularly offensive question or moment of disrespect—like a random person asking "Is it expensive?" about her daughter's braids, or the banker trying to touch her hair—she retreats. This retreat is a visual, sonic, and deeply personal moment of Black womanhood where she finds peace. This surreal touch keeps the heavy topics from dragging and injects a much-needed dose of humor and spiritual strength. It's a power move, dramatically speaking.
Step 4: The Takeaway – Why You Gotta See the Next Run!
Look, this is more than just a play. It's a conversation starter. It's a mirror reflecting the messy, frustrating, and often absurd reality of systemic inequality.
4.1 Community and Activism
Tip: Reflect on what you just read.
The show is a powerful reminder that fighting against gentrification is a community effort. Shay's battle is for her family, but also for her neighborhood. It encourages audience members to think about who gets to define a community and who has the power to change it.
4.2 Laughter is the Best Medicine
Despite the heavy subject matter, the play is genuinely hilarious. The dialogue is sharp, full of USA slang and Boston-based grit (even in LA!), and the characters are so relatable, you'll feel like you're sitting in Shay's shop, listening to the neighborhood gossip. It proves that you can tackle profound issues without turning into a total downer. It’s comedy with a conscience.
If you missed the initial run, keep your eyes peeled for its return! A successful rolling premiere often means future productions. Check Rogue Machine's schedule and other local LA theatre company listings.
FAQ Questions and Answers
How do I find tickets for the next Los Angeles production of "can i touch it?"
The best bet is to regularly check the websites for Rogue Machine Theatre and the Matrix Theatre in Los Angeles. Since it was a Rolling World Premiere, future runs aren't guaranteed, but its success makes a return likely. Look for their "Next Season" announcements.
What are the main themes explored in the play?
Tip: Take notes for easier recall later.
The play primarily explores Black hair politics, the devastating effects of gentrification on Black-owned businesses and communities, and the fight against racial and financial inequity.
Is the play a comedy or a drama?
It's a brilliant mix, often called a dramedy. It deals with serious, weighty issues but is infused with sharp wit, humor, and a touch of magical realism that provides comedic relief and a unique perspective.
Who is the playwright of "can i touch it?"
The play was written by Francisca Da Silveira. Her work is known for being culturally rich, funny, and deeply engaged with social and political topics.
Where else has the play been performed besides Los Angeles?
As part of the NNPN Rolling World Premiere, the play also had successful runs at Company One Theatre in Boston and Cleveland Public Theatre.
And that’s the 411, folks! This play is the real deal.
Would you like me to search for any upcoming Francisca Da Silveira plays in the Los Angeles area?
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