ExPats Theatre Explores the Immigrant Experience in Coming to America Cabaret

ExPats Theatre’s new show Coming to America: An Immigrant Cabaret explores this country’s messy contradictions through the eyes of four immigrant artists living in Washington, DC. The show features Erick Acuña of Peru, Karin Rosnizeck of Germany, Vidyuth Sreenivasan of India, and Jacqueline Youm of Senegal. Performances run from Sept. 30 to Oct. 18 at the Atlas Performing Arts Center located at 1333 H St. NE, with tickets priced at $54.75, according to hillrag.com.

Artists Perform Personal Stories at Atlas Performing Arts Center

Coming to America combines personal stories, sketches, songs, and projected video interviews to examine the unbridled possibilities and ever-present limitations of the United States. Co-written by the full cast and directed by Rosnizeck, the adult-only production pokes fun at American stereotypes as well as the performers’ native countries. The show opens with each actor entering in traditional native costume to summarize the land they left behind.

Youm initially describes life in a peaceful African village while arranging flowers, before snapping out of character to reveal she is actually a lawyer who grew up privileged with a diplomat father. Sreenivasan shares his experience moving to Washington, DC after earning a master’s degree in international relations from a Scottish university, only to find the city saturated with identical credentials. Rosnizeck recounts growing up in the mountains of Bavaria and moving across the Atlantic after falling in love with an American working at a U.S. consulate. Acuña discusses his upbringing in chaotic Lima during the war with the Shining Path before pursuing a master’s degree in the U.S.

The Obstacle Race of Integration and Cultural Stereotypes

Hillrag.com notes that the performers manage the obstacle race of integration by confronting systemic complexities and cultural contradictions through humor and satire. After initial upbeat musical numbers celebrating American opportunity—including a parody of ABBA’s Take a Chance on Me—the production addresses harder realities. Sreenivasan recounts struggling to find work and joining an improv comedy class, where he wonders if his Indian background holds him back from traditional American social circles. Sketch segments further target cultural stereotypes, such as Rosnizeck complaining about American coffee alongside Youm portraying a demanding Starbucks barista.

Ticket Prices and Performance Dates at Atlas Arts

Hillrag.com reports that standard tickets for the limited run cost $54.75. Seniors can purchase tickets for $49.75, while student tickets are available for $29.75. Performances continue at the Atlas through Oct. 18.