NJ playwright envisions DREAM Act reality
Manuel vs. The Statue of Liberty, an award-winning musical comedy by a Princeton playwright, Noemi de la Puente, addresses the issue of illegal immigration and the “absurdities” brilliant students usually face in America’s schools, given the absence of the DREAM Act.
A Princeton University undergraduate who was an illegal immigrant, and could not accept a scholarship to Oxford University, UK, because he could not leave the United States to travel — considering he was undocumented, fights with the Statue of Liberty in the show. His story inspired the musical comedy. The character Manuel in the play represents this student.
Manuel vs Statue of Liberty from Michelle Dryden on Vimeo.
The Statue of Liberty depicts the “diva democracy’’ on immigration in the United States. De la Puente said that a musical comedy was the best vehicle to drive home the messages of the play. She said that the music is multicultural and the comedy lightens notions on the very serious reality of immigration in America.
Manuel vs. The Statue of Liberty play has won awards, including NYMF in 2014. The Statue of Liberty herself has won an individual award. This comedy has been shown at theaters in New York and at local theaters in New Jersey. This play was also at a Princeton University theater earlier this weekend.
