Obama 44

Mario Fratti’s newest play, OBAMA 44 is the author’s latest play now ending its run at the LaMama Gallery in New York City. This 75 minute piece is a “who done it” psychological thriller heavy on sex, politics and the American way on “how to get it.” Stars Julia Motyka as Maja, the surreal provocateur who forces her lovers to endure her charms in the boudoir, in this case with her first and last conquests played by Dennis Ostermaier as Bob and Thomas Poarch as Mel, with a detective played by Richard Ungino and a unrelentless brother played by Rod Sedgwick. The director is Wayne Maugans who recently directed “The Trojan Women” by Euripides at the Atlantic Theatre Conservatory at NYU.

Maja, the love interest is heavy on political action, her need to compensate for a controlled early childhood by her big brother; one of rejection and compulsion. Hence, her
need for unrestrained sex and total acceptance by her paramours. Her very name in Indian religions suggests
“illusion” and an “unenlightened perspective” between her mind and her body, one that forces her to react
instinctively and with an outre behavior. The lovers are reigned in to control her temperament, one of whom finally murders her to survive her web of conceit.

Mario Fratti has written and produced plays on an international scale.His credits include the Broadway hit “Nine”, as well as “Cage”, ” Che Guevara”, “The Bridge”, “Porno”, “Erotic Adventures in Venice”, and nearly 100 other plays that have been translated and produced in nineteen languages. This prodigious author was born in Italy but now makes his home in New York City.
He is celebrated on both sides of the
continent. He is also a long standing member of the Foreign Press Association.Bravo, Mario.

Michael Zufolo,
Editor/ Let’s Travel! Radio