The Theater Alliance production of “Woody Guthrie’s American Song” is filled with invigorating and purposeful songs. There are songs of solidarity and songs of resistance to racism, to the excesses of capitalism and to the costly wars that are used to support those things.
The show is an effective tribute to Guthrie. But it also makes one wonder, “Where are the contemporary songs that could summon resistance and solidarity today?” Throughout the production, the audience is encouraged to sing Guthrie’s songs in fellowship with the performers, in an effort to link the motivation of the former times to the needs of the present day.
At the top of this show, the actors march onto the grounds of Wharf Waterfront Park, dressed in vintage 1940s clothing, carrying protest signs and singing All You Fascists Bound to Lose. The atmosphere conjured reminded me of the public radio show A Prairie Home Companion, that nostalgically evoked American’s past shared efforts and experiences of resistance. Over the course of an intermission-less 95 minutes, the production revisits more than 20 songs, interspersing them with excerpts from Guthrie’s letters and observations.
At one point, on their performance platform in front of wooden planks rustically painted red, white and blue, we hear these words ringing out across the audience:
“I am out to prove to you that this is your world”
The words remind us of Guthrie’s most famous song “This Land is Your Land” And they embody the theme that comes to drive the entire show.
In this presentation, Guthrie’s work repeatedly bears witness to the ravaging of natural resources and the casual crushing of human life for the sake of private corporate profit.
One of the most resonant moments in this production, is the song Deportee (Plane Wreck at Los Gatos). The song was written in 1948 about some workers who were being deported back to Mexico at the end of the harvesting season. It bears witness to the disrespectful treatment of Mexican immigrant farmers during their work lives (“They drive us like outlaws, like rustlers, like thieves.”) and to the anonymity of the fiery airplane deaths of some of them.
“You won’t have a name when you ride the big airplane. All they will call you will be deportee.” Listening to this song reminded us – that when it comes to our demonization of the non-white people upon whose labor the American food supply system depends – precious little has changed.
The performers are, universally, an excellent ensemble of musicians and actors. But all of that was just scaffolding for what powers this production: Guthrie’s songs and witness to integrity and courage. Even on a bare stage, lit only by naked light bulbs, that statement would have had an strong impact.
The production concluded as it began, with the actors marching, but out of the park this time, while singing a reprise of All You Fascists Bound to Lose. The audience was left with a paradox. When the abuse of authority that you are experiencing is emerging from within rather than invading from without, you may find that the enemy is singing the same songs as you do. What do you do then? Most of us audience members chose to sing anyway.
Gregory Ford is the Anacostia Coordinating Council Arts & Culture Critic. He is also an actor and singer. He is a member of Verbal Gymnastics Playback Theater troupe. He has written for Capital Community News and continues to write for dctheaterarts.org, focusing on College and University Theater Productions. He is a clinical psychodrama practitioner. Mr. Ford lives in Northeast Boundary in Ward 7.
Woody Guthrie’s American Song plays through Aug. 29, 2026, presented by Theater Alliance performing at the Wharf Waterfront Park (aka Eleanor Holmes Norton Park), 515 Water St SW, Washington, DC. All tickets are available online.
