By Jerry Portwood
In theater, as in politics, timing is everything. Public Charge is “based on true events” from former U.S. Ambassador Julissa Reynoso’s time working in the State Department under Hillary Clinton, and her efforts to free an American wrongly imprisoned in Cuba. The fact that it’s opening Off-Broadway at the same time the current U.S. government has initiated an oil blockade to force a change in Cuba’s government is extraordinary.
We know where this is headed, and yet, Public Charge isn’t just a cynical museum piece. Rather, Reynoso and co-writer Michael J. Chepiga offer an earnest reminder of what good government should be: highly skilled, principled people charged with the arduous behind-the-scenes work of keeping people alive and safe.
The most progressive country in the world (?)
Director Doug Hughes wrangles the play’s competing storylines from the release of a USAID subcontractor to leveraging humanitarian earthquake relief efforts in Haiti (which require passage of U.S. airspace) into diplomatic negotiations.
The physical production helps. Scenic designer Arnulfo Maldonado transforms The Public’s Newman Theater into a traverse stage with five raised platforms and seating on either side, giving it the feel of a town hall-style political debate. Video screens featuring designs by Lucy Mackinnon further help contextualize the decade- and country-spanning plot, complete with maps, photography, and headlines.
At the center of it all, Zabryna Guevara (Daredevil: Born Again, Disney+) portrays Reynoso’s eagerness and exasperation with aplomb. Her chemistry with Marinda Anderson, who plays Cheryl Mills, counselor and chief of staff to Clinton at the State Department, offers much-needed comic relief. The acting ensemble embodies a slew of characters—from bodega patrons to presidents—with ease.
Naturally, some lines land as comedy, like when Julissa states optimistically, “I am invigorated. Things are falling into place. I can feel it. The universe is coming together… We’re gonna be the most progressive, inclusive country in the world. You watch.”
This isn’t snark, but a palette cleanser from the doomscrolling. Public Charge may uplift many who have grown depressed and disillusioned, urging us to pick up the pieces, take action, and remember that the work, however maddening, is always worth doing.
Is ‘Public Charge’ worth seeing?
4 out of 5 stars
A witty, well-performed world premiere that turns real-life diplomatic chaos into an urgent reminder of what American government looks like when it’s actually working.
- The Public Theater, 425 Lafayette St., New York City
- Notable performers: Zabryna Guevara, Marinda Anderson, Dan Domingues, Armando Riesco, Al Rodrigo
- Running time: One hour and 40 minutes, no intermission
- Performances through April 12, 2026
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