The Controversy of Valladolid [B+]

This is a fascinating show that delves into a Catholic Church analysis, in 1550, of whether the indigenous people of South/Central America were actually human ("Gods Children") or not, and thus whether the Spaniards were justified (allowed by the Church?) in raping, torturing, and killing them.

It is quite well acted. The set is magnificent and provides an open, eerie atmosphere that encourages the audience to think about what is being said.

My only complaint was that the author apparently decided to use this as a vehicle to criticize our current Mideast policy. While this is a legitimate purpose for theatre, on a couple of occasions I think he tweaked the text to be sure to drive home his point. I suspect that he feared that the audience would miss his point if he didn't somehow emphasize it. Had he not emphasized it, he may have actually made a better, though subtler, argument.