What bothered me - possibly in association with recent posts about PC behavior - was the utter lack of regional, foreign and multicultural voices tied to the list. Almost every writer is American. Those who aren't are primarily British. This is scary - we are ,after all, an art form that often condemns our politicians for their lack of knowledge in international affairs, cultures, and customs - yet we, as artists, do not step outside of ourselves (or even New York City, if this list is to be held up) enough to learn, cherish, and tout the work of other countries. Art is a massive signpost of a culture - its thinking and its aesthetic. How can we pretend to care/appreciate/sympathize without having an insight or appreciation for what is being created in every part of the world?

As well, most of the list is NY-based - and recent-openings-in-NY-based. They were all by very competent writers and presented by very hip (New Georges, Soho Rep and Culture Project, etc.) companies. But I think it says something about worldview. Especially in a time (with globalization, war, etc.) that demands a bit more consideration. I mean, this isn't only nationalist, but regionalist.

And I completely understand it. You big up your region, you champion the people around you, you represent your hood and have pride. This I am all for, I believe in or at least think I do (I even participate in it). But then I see a list like this and read it in conjunction with other posts, political, economical, and the like and try to make connections.

No one thought Wole Soyinka should be in what Matt calls the "roots" list? Well, put him on mine. Add Charles Mulekwa as well, national playwright of Uganda recently in residence at Brown who has made massive strides towards creating an indigenous hip hop theatre in that country. Mamdouh Adwan was a wonderful Syrian writer worth looking at. The Presnykov Brothers are incredible as well - go read Terrorism.

I just think we as artists, and more as people, can only learn so much watching and reading New York plays by New York writers in New York theaters (and trust me we can learn a lot right there- the wealth of talent in that city is amazing and should be celebrated). Just when I think of what I need to read right now, what's necessary and urgent ... I think there are other things that need to be considered.