Inspired by the writings of radical feminist philosopher and theologian Mary Daly, the story focuses on Gandhi’s infamous experiments in brahmacharya, or celibacy. He would have a young woman disrobe and sleep with him completely naked as a test to prove his seminal continence and his purity of spirit. Gandhi never saw anything wrong with this practice, but a small coven of bra burning San Francisco feminists do.

 

They plot to avenge these sex crimes. They set out for the Gandhi memorial statue located behind the Ferry Building in San Francisco to rip it from its base, and drag it up Market Street in the middle of the night. The play focuses on the women, their families, the back lash from their Generation X children as well as the conflict that heats up from opposing responses to the revered hero’s celibacy experiments.

 

To Bob, the male character who is a longtime practitioner of Gandhi’s principles of nonviolence, his hero is flawed. To his female counterparts this flawed prince of peace is an imposter and sexual abuser. It explores the themes of sexual assault and the taking down of statues of historical figures once deemed heroic. Questions of the destruction of public art and vandalism are also in the text.

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The play is extremely timely as it extends critical conversation on these issues. It is meant to be a forum that opens up dialogue in the Bay Area and beyond. Because each character in the play views Gandhi’s actions through a different lens it is hoped that audiences will engage in the debate.

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written by Anne Galjour*

directed by Nancy Carlin**

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Jeri Lynn Cohen* — Helen

Patricia Silver* — Miriam

Lyndsy Kail* — Rebecca

Howard Swain* — Bob

Miranda Swain — Maya

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Toni Guidry — Stage Manager

John Mayne — Set Design

Kate Boyd — Lighting Designer
Cliff Caruthers — Sound Design

Michelle Mulholland — Costumer

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* The Actor appears through the courtesy of Actors' Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.

** The Director is a member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, a national theatrical labor union.