There are some shows out there that really make you think. These shows can manifest in many different ways, but with the way the world is right now, there are some that are even more poignant than others. For me, Quixotic Professor Qiu was one of these shows. It could not have come to a stage in Philadelphia at a better time. Hell, it could not have come to anywhere at a better time. But I’m so glad it was right here for me. When I say it’s a show that made me think, I’m talking about everything from the themes to the plot to the dialogue, and everything else that made up this play.
I’ve learned by now that I don’t want to read much about a show before I see it. Blurbs and summaries often give me a different impression than I walk away with from a show. I followed this same path with Quixotic Professor Qiu, reading only the bare minimum. And I’m really glad I did, because I think the show hit me hard in a way it couldn’t have if I had really delved in more deeply. And it really did hit me hard. Between the show in general and the climate of our current world, Quixotic Professor Qiu has a lot to offer. I loved being able to soak it all in.
Everything around Quixotic Professor Qiu is very simplistic. The set is minimalist, so it can be molded into different settings. There were very few props, and very basic costumes with barely any costume changes. But they didn’t need any of that to get the point home. In this show, we’re looking at themes of racism, conspiracy, relationships, not standing out, and how people can change…to name a few. For an hour and a half show, they really packed a punch.
Professor Qiu is someone who studies numbers. His passion is numbers. He’s pretty brilliant. But you also see a certain naivety in the type of person he is. As we are seeing things in his framework, it becomes pretty obvious that this is just who he is. He trusts implicitly- his department head and mentor, Dr. Krishnan…his TA Valeria…and of course, his closest childhood friend Anna Zeng. I think the question, as I watched the show, was how well does Qiu really know these people? Who really has the power, and who is just a pawn? Who is manipulative, or is taking advantage of Qiu’s blind faith? These are really important questions, and we really see that in the show.
So of course, as I’m watching this show, I’m taking it all in. I absolutely loved how it pulled me in and really got my brain going. Because as Qiu is trying to figure out who he can and cannot trust, who is working for him or against him, and how he ended up in the situation he ended up in, I found myself completely entranced, asking the same questions and wanting answers as well. Honestly, I think Qiu was a likable character. All he wanted was to make something of his research, to go forward with what he’s passionate about. We all have passions, and know what that feels like. But for as likable as Qiu is, he doesn’t seem to know much about the world. That gets him into trouble.
These are the things that really got me thinking. We see a brilliant, but naive character just wanting to make something out of what he loves. But there are so many things that get in the way, as there are for anyone in the world. Qiu just ends up in a worse spot than most. There were things in Quixotic Professor Qiu that I totally wasn’t expecting and took my breath away. There were plot points and character development that were so beautifully done, I could hardly believe I was watching them play out. I started thinking about a play like this being preformed in the world we live in. Stereotypes, scares about communism and other things that are “bad”. The people who have the power and the people who don’t. Maybe they think they do. Maybe they don’t. In the end, it could be anyone on either side.
The writing of this show was phenomenal. The way the whole show unfolded was breathtaking. The characters evolving the way they did, or showing who they truly were was written perfectly. The actors totally captured what they were doing, the roles they were playing. There were so many little things that just made Quixotic Professor Qiu the outstanding play it was. Every time Qiu took off his glasses to rub his eyes made me hurt for him and what he was going through. Anna’s true nature being revealed made me queasy. For something so simple, this play encompassed so much.
Yeah. I walked away from this show knowing it was completely thought provoking. That I would be thinking about it for the rest of the night. That when I sat down to write this blog post, I would have a lot to say, but also have to hold some back for those of you who plan to see this show. Quixotic Professor Qiu was everything I love in a play and more. I’m so glad I got to experience it. It’s a show that won’t be leaving me anytime soon.
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