American Standard

Written and performed by Jessica Allen, American Standard is the true story of when Jessica Allen was held up at gunpoint and coped only by escaping into the lounge act of her mind. Jessica, a Latina, adopted and raised by white parents, recalls her Massachusetts upbringing, wishing she was Irish and moving to New York City where she finally discovered that she really isn’t white. Between these childhood memories, being a Scorsese-obsessed musical-theater-loving actress, she eases her mind by quoting his films, and singing songs from her favorite musicals. Nina Morrison directs.