"With Over Two Pieces of Luggage" Tells an Immigrant’s Tale

The Greek Cultural Center will begin its winter season with an original play entitled: “With Over Two Pieces of Luggage…” written and directed by Alex Malaos, October 28-December 11.   

The play, starring  Malaos, Nikos Karas and Evelyn Burnett, is an autobiographical story.

Follow a young man growing up in Cyprus who is overprotected yet insecure. He is brought up in the conservative, tight-knit familial society of Lefkosia. He comes to NY in pursuit of a dream, arriving in a land of new opportunities, new relationships, and new values. Then, fast forward 10 years, as the play refers to the hero’s experiences in a big city, and how his upbringing, mentors, family, military training and “non-New York” principles have positively or negatively influenced the way in which he handles himself in the city of opportunities and isolation. Airline regulations allow for a maximum of two pieces of luggage when travelling to the United States. At the heart of the play lies the additional metaphorical “baggage” that all new-age immigrants carry upon moving to New York, plus success, love, money, health, and the sense of obligation towards our family. It all builds to the grand final decision: “Should I stay or should I go?”

The play will be presented in Greek & English (with English & Greek supertitles).

The uniqueness of the play lies within the theatrical styles from which it is influenced and with which the play is presented. From standup comedy, to spontaneous unscripted dialogue among the actors, to live dialogue between the actors and the audience, to shadow theater, to actual testimonies by figures who have had an impact on our hero’s New York stay. As the play mentions, at the end of the day “it’s not what you say, it’s how you say it.”