On October 10, 2024, Playwrights Horizons will debut the much-anticipated world premiere of In the Amazon Warehouse Parking Lot, directed by Sivan Battat. This latest work from award-winning playwright Sarah Mantell is being co-produced with Breaking the Binary Theatre and aims to shine light on urgent societal issues through its unique narrative lens.
Set against the backdrop of climate change, the play presents the lives of queer warehouse workers trying to navigate the challenges of modern labor as rising oceans transform their world. Over the course of the production, these characters are seen moving from job to job — living as itinerants, illustrating the struggles many face when forced to adapt to rapidly changing conditions. The narrative evokes themes of community and resilience, emphasizing the importance of support systems among those left behind by conventional societal structures.
Mantell expresses the significance of representation and the necessity of highlighting marginalized voices within the theatre space. "Women, trans, and nonbinary artists deserve to be center stage," she said, emphasizing the historical predominance of white male narratives. Her passion resonates throughout the play, which she proudly notes has had one of the most extensive casting processes at Playwrights Horizons. "Come see what our extraordinary company of artists has made. The canon has always held white male actors from cradle to grave, and we deserve those kinds of futures too," she added.
The cast features various acclaimed performers, including Barsha, formerly known as Debra Barsha, who takes on the role of Horowitz, alongside Sandra Caldwell portraying El, and Donnetta Lavinia Grays as Jen. The ensemble continues with Ianne Fields Stewart as Sara, Deirdre Lovejoy as Ani, Tulis McCall as Ash, and Pooya Mohseni as Maribel. Each actor brings unique talent to the stage, contributing to the enriching portrayal of this diverse group of characters.
Director Sivan Battat reflects on the collective challenges faced by workers today: “A lot of the people who are forced to live as itinerant workers are doing so because they don't have other choices, because our country has fundamentally failed them. One thing can go wrong, and suddenly you’re stuck, doing manual labor well past retirement age. This story captures how communities come together under adversity and how meaningful connections can arise even from dire circumstances.”
The production's technical aspects match the ambitious vision of Mantell's script. Scenic designer Emmie Finckel, costume designer Mel Ng, lighting designer Cha See, and sound designer Sinan Refik Zafar collectively create an immersive environment, bringing the stark realities of the characters' world vividly to life. The audience can expect to experience the tension of these challenging socioeconomic conditions through the visual aesthetics and soundscapes developed by this talented creative team.
Support roles are filled by several specialized professionals, including voice and dialect coach Gigi Buffington, dramaturg Zeina Salame, and intimacy coordinator Alex Might, ensuring the authenticity and sensitivity of the production’s subject matter. The integration of such diverse talents exemplifies the commitment to thorough representation and storytelling.
Tickets for this groundbreaking play are currently available on the Playwrights Horizons website, and with the themes touchingly tied to elements of contemporary life, audiences are encouraged to reserve their seats early. The production runs until November 17, with opening night set for October 29, so there are numerous opportunities to witness this incredible exploration of community, identity, and labor.
Playwrights Horizons continues to be at the forefront of theater innovation and social issues, and “In the Amazon Warehouse Parking Lot” is poised to deepen the discourse around labor and environmental concerns through its powerful and personal narratives.
