←Recommendations of Last Ship to Proxima Centauri

In addition to previous comments, I love this play's overwhelming, intricate and powerful use of language. The potential for no available translations for the audience in a multilingual play, as is the playwright's preferred production method, creates the possibility to feel like a stranger in a strange land across multiple dimensions. As Lam states in his notes about translated text, "Being uncomfortable by people in power speaking a language you don't understand is part of the point." Last Ship thereby reconstructs the way we even perceive hierarchy, allowing most audiences to feel as upside-down as the characters we first meet.

Previous comments have focused on the implied critique of American imperialism and white supremacy that doubtless forms an essential element in Greg Lam's powerful vision of apocalypse. However, the Chinese-speaking community now ascendant on Proxima Centauri is morally no superior or even different, as exemplified by the vicious Pax who kills two of the white Americans whose misfortune is to arrive at the outpost 165 years late. Only the complacent Japanese-American Henry is allowed to survive from the newcomers, but there's something heroic in Addie Russell's unwavering devotion to American ideals in the face of imminent death.

To call this play “thought provoking” would be a spectacular understatement. (Apologies if you did.) I saw the exquisite production at Portland Stage (online). Lam raises important questions about power and race, taking no prisoners. The civilization that evolved over 165 years without white people is no egalitarian paradise. They have a long memory for racism, yet embrace draconian authority. A dystopia would be a blessing on this planet. While it is funny, all thrusters burn brightest during moments of high conflict, when characters are negotiating for a landing or their lives. A sharp satire and searing indictment!

This play is a brilliant, entertaining response to the outrageous privilege and entitlement exhibited by many white Americans since the arrival of the Mayflower. This play also reminds us of our long, bloody, racist, colonizing history in an easy-to-digest way. Lam gets in so much without creating any kind of polemic. It's all so well motivated! I also loved Henry and his convictions. I hope it gets done everywhere!

Had the privilege of seeing Greg Lam’s show at Portland Stage Company. The set was incredible, the acting equally amazing. This play has such an awareness to it. Evoking emotions and conveying ideals that are transformative and unexpected while also being nostalgic and bringing about an awakening. Lam also paints a futuristic society that seems to be as flawed as our current society but in different and unexpected ways. For me the genius in the play wasn’t the overt race reversal it was the subtle ripple effects of societal norms slightly adjusted. Brilliant play!

As a big fan of the UK comedy Red Dwarf I totally enjoyed this daft farce of a wonderful Sci-fi play! Arriving on a planet 165 years to late is, let's face it, a tad rude, but that's not why the inhabitants are concerned! Such a funny play which also delves deep into inherent racism and flips it on its head. Great fun!

My introduction to Greg's work was through the Orlando Shakes Playfest where this play was workshopped. I'm officially a fan and can't wait to read more of his work.

This play was so clever and immensely important in the ways it tackles topics of immigration, American-centrism, and white privilege, that I was speechless the rest of the evening. He strikes an impossible balance of compassion and culpability for both, the crew and the settlers. It's been days now, and I still have moments where I think about how deftly it was written and am left shaking my head in awe.

Playwrights Foundation highly recommends LAST SHIP TO PROXIMA CENTAURI, which excelled to the Finalist round (top 35) for the 44th annual Bay Area Playwrights Festival out of 755 plays. Our community of readers felt this play best represented the mission of our festival. This work engaged us, inspired us, moved us, and was an outstanding example of transformative storytelling. Our local Bay Area Literary Council commends LAST SHIP TO PROXIMA CENTAURI as a compelling, relevant, cathartic new work which should be produced now. Congratulations! #BAPF2021

Lam’s play is fucking hilarious, and deeply troubling. And fucking hilarious. What if the Americans were the last to arrive at a planet already resettled by all those other survivors of our dying planet, none of whom are of European ancestry? Why on Earth (or Yeni Dünya) would they not be less than happy to see us? The story charges along through gut punches (without additional commentary) for example that the 100,000 Americans held in stasis for the 2,000 journey may include some “very fine people.” It’s devastating, devastatingly funny, and now I need to write my Senators.

Wickedly funny, Last Ship to Proxima Centauri does not give you time to catch your breath at any given moment. The content of the play is heavy, but it's never diluted by the razor-sharp wit as characters clash for their respective futures. It's a bummer we can't be in physical spaces together any time soon — this is the kind of show that would have me craning my neck to look at the reactions of my fellow audience members throughout, making me wonder which characters they identify the most with and what that means.