Discover the heartwarming tale of a popular bar in Brooklyn and its community’s resilience post-Hurricane Sandy on a barge.
“The Wind and the Rain” is a captivating play by Sarah Gancher that delves into the shared history of Sunny’s, a bar in Red Hook, Brooklyn. The play is set on a barge near the Waterfront Museum, offering a unique and immersive experience for the audience.
Sunny’s, a bar that has been a fixture in the neighborhood since 1907, has weathered many storms, both literal and metaphorical. From surviving world wars and prohibition to facing urban blight and Hurricane Sandy, the bar has remained a resilient symbol of the community. Today, Tone Balzano Johansen, the widow of the bar’s founder, Antonio Balzano, continues to uphold Sunny’s legacy as a neighborhood stronghold.
The play, performed by a talented cast on a narrow stage aboard the barge, primarily focuses on Johansen’s story. Drawing from interviews with Johansen and extensive research, the play weaves together a tapestry of memories, both real and imagined. The audience is invited to participate in the performance, adding to the interactive nature of the production.
While the play explores the personal stories of Sunny’s inhabitants, it also delves into the broader history of the neighborhood, tracing its roots from the British and Dutch settlers to the Lenape tribe and beyond. The play raises thought-provoking questions about time and memory, adding a philosophical layer to the narrative.
Despite its meandering moments and philosophical musings, the heart of the play lies in the resilience of Sunny’s and its role as a community gathering place. The bar’s journey of recovery after Hurricane Sandy mirrors the neighborhood’s collective spirit in the face of adversity. Through its portrayal of Sunny’s as a living history, the play celebrates the power of community and shared memories.
Overall, “The Wind and the Rain” offers a poignant reflection on the enduring legacy of a neighborhood institution and the ties that bind a community together. With its immersive setting and engaging storytelling, the play invites audiences to contemplate the significance of holding onto our shared history amidst the winds of change.
Source: The NY Times
