Native Gardens at PTC

I attempted to see Native Gardens at PTC the week before the Sundance Film Festival started but after about fifteen minutes the performance was canceled. I was really sad because I wanted to see it but I didn't think I would have time to reschedule. I decided to squeeze in the matinee before my Sundance films yesterday and, even though it made for a really long day, I'm glad I did because I thoroughly enjoyed it! Frank and Virginia Butley (Michael Kostroff and Kelly Coffield Park, respectively) are an older white couple who have lived in a historic D.C. neighborhood for decades and Tania and Pablo Del Valle (Katya Collazo and Tito Livas, respectively) are a young Latinx couple who have recently moved in next door. Frank spends most of his time on his ornamental garden with the hope of winning an award from the Potomac Horticultural Society. Tania has big plans for a garden made up of native plants indigenous to the environment which are accelerated by Pablo's spontaneous decision to invite his entire law firm over for a party in order to impress them. The Del Valles receive permission from the Butleys to replace an unsightly chain link fence between the two properties but they discover that the fence is in the wrong place and that they are entitled to two more feet. However, moving the fence will ruin Frank's garden just days before the important competition. The ensuing fight over the location of the fence becomes about who is "entitled" to the land with themes that are, unfortunately, incredibly salient today and it is as ugly as what we see on the news. What I loved most about this play is that it ends on a very optimistic note which gives me hope for the future! I also found the dialogue to be really funny and I loved all of the passive aggressive bits of business that happen between scenes, such as when Pablo throws acorns from their tree into the Butley's yard. The set, featuring the houses and back gardens of each couple, is outstanding because it really highlights the differences between them (the Butley's house has been extensively renovated and modernized while the Del Valle's house has been neglected for years). The attention to detail is a lot of fun, especially when the roots of the flowers can be seen when they are pulled and when stakes denoting the new fence location are placed in the ground. Finally, I really enjoyed the use of music during the transitions between scenes ("Shout" by Tears For Fears after a particularly heated argument between the couples made me laugh). I would definitely recommend this timely and thought-provoking play about the issues that build fences between people but the run has now concluded. PTC is presenting Bonnie & Clyde next beginning February 23 (go here for tickets).