Theatre review: Tales of an Urban Indian

“Choice is the only thing you never lose.”
--Simon Douglas


Tales of an Urban Indian is the story of Simon, who grew up on a reservation in central British Columbia, as told by Darrell Dennis. Stories told from a Native American standpoint are rare, it’s true, but this show feels less about a Native American coming of age than it does about anyone’s coming of age in impoverished surroundings. Replace the word “reservation” with “South Central LA” or “Appalachia” or “Detroit” and Simon’s story would still ring true.

The first part of the show covers Simon’s childhood and adolescence, growing up dirt poor while the white kids around him either ignored him or made fun of him. The second part covers his early career as an actor and drug and alcohol addiction, and his first attempts at rehab. This part of the show could be called Tales of an Addict, since his Indian heritage is no longer really an element. Strangely, for a show about assimilation, there’s a lot of stereotyping—whites are uptight, West Coast inhabitants are perpetually stoned, cockroaches speak in Mexican accents, and God is Jackie Mason. Much of it is intentional, but still.

Dennis is a sincere and heartfelt performer, and he manages to almost pull off the completely clichéd ending—in less sincere hands, it would degenerate into maudlin schmaltz. I’d love to sit down with him and hear more of his story over a cup of coffee, but the play almost feels like he’s trying to be a stand-up comedian, completely with wacky characters and impersonations. He should just be himself; he can completely charm an audience with his forthright honesty, no impersonations required.


Written and performed by Darrell Dennis
Directed by Herbie Barnes
Set Design: Beowulf Boritt
Lighting Design: Russell H. Champa
Costume Design: Fritz Masten
Sound Design: Matt Hubbs
Running Time: 85 minutes with no intermission
The Public Theatre, 425 Lafayette Street; 212-967-7555
Tickets $10
Tuesday at 7pm; Wednesday - Friday at 8pm; Saturday at 2pm & 8pm; Sunday at 2pm & 7pm; No Performance/Unavailable: Sat 2/21 at 2pm, Sun 2/22 at 7pm
February 20 – March 15, 2009