By Linda Chin
The spectacular autobiographical solo performance piece Dishwasher Dreams, now running at Merrimack Rep through March 24, blends its writer and star Alaudin Ullah’s Bangladeshi, Muslim, and comedic roots. For years, the one-time stand-up comic, popular on the NYC and LA comedy circuits in the ‘90s (and who appeared nationally on Comedy Central, HBO, and MTV), used the name Aladdin, changing his name by one letter (‘u’ to ‘d’) to make it “easier for show business and white people.” In reclaiming his birthname, reportedly after a return visit to Bangladesh after his mother’s death, Ullah demonstrates that he is proud to be his father’s – a dishwasher’s son, appreciates and accepts his mother’s advice that success is “not about money…[but] having the courage to do something most would not…just never forget where you are from” and, is “over the Disney sh*t.”
Directed by acclaimed Asian American creative Chay Yew, Dishwasher Dreams is a remarkable and remarkably funny and poignant play, full of memorable and meaningful moments. A well-executed and synchronized soundtrack and beautiful percussive score subtly moves the action forward without distracting from the emotional intensity of the live performance.
Set on a slatted open platform that covers most of the stage floor and with a single wooden chair as a prop, Alaudin plays multiple characters during Ullah’s lifetimes in South Asia and America—from the small villages where his parents were born (now Bangladesh) to New York City (at their apartment in Spanish Harlem, comedy clubs, Yankee Stadium) to Hollywood.
Dishwasher Dreams would undoubtedly make Alaudin’s parents proud. The ninety-minute performance is engaging from start to finish. His stamina and physical acting (performing while standing on the chair, dancing Bollywood moves, reenacting his hero Reggie Jackson at bat – or his mother doing the wave!) are impressive. His writing and storytelling are successful, per his mother’s definition, and rich with detail. (I’m also the child of immigrants (from China) who grew up in New York City). His narrative resonated with me, particularly watching episodes of “Sesame Street” to learn English and going to baseball games at Shea Stadium.
Dishwasher Dreams is part of Ullah’s American Dream. Like many immigrants, his parents’ dream was opportunity and a stable job. For a while, his father did want to open a restaurant (in fact, the wave of Indian restaurants in NYC was started by Bangladesh-born dishwashers who opened them), but at the time, being a dishwasher – and not sharing any profits or losses with business partners – earned him more direct income for supporting his family. Alaudin dreamed of being a stand-up comedian, having a career in Hollywood, and, lucky for us – becoming a writer. Growing up and seeing people of color in America’s cultural touchstones – baseball and movies (Reggie Jackson and Sidney Poitier) – made an impression on him. He is dedicated to furthering representation in sports and media and to creating works that “counter, challenge, and correct people’s perceptions of South Asians and Muslims.” Alaudin also understands the power of comedy and how laughing together with a group of strangers can open up people’s brains and hearts. Based on the audience’s enthusiastic response during the performance and standing ovation, Dishwasher Dreams is a definite home run. For information and tickets, go to: https://mrt.org/
