Oscar-winning actor Tom Hanks is venturing into playwriting with "This World of Tomorrow," a nostalgic time-travel romance co-written with James Glossman. Currently showing at The Shed, the play features Hanks as Bert Allenberry, a tech titan jaded with life in 2089.
The play opens with Bert and his girlfriend, Cyndee (played by Kerry Bishé), visiting the 1939 World’s Fair in Queens. Bert, burdened by vague tech crises involving "Newtonian sequencing" and a "roadblock on our Vox-PAC," is treated to a unique getaway by Cyndee: a quarter-billion-dollar trip to 1939 New York.
A Journey to the Past
During his first visit, Bert is captivated by a phrase he overhears: "The present is but an instant between an infinite past and a hurrying future." This idea resonates deeply with him. Back in 2089, he shares the line with his business partner, M-Dash (Ruben Santiago-Hudson), highlighting his fascination with the concept of a rapidly approaching future.
Enchanted by the optimistic spirit of the World's Fair, Bert returns alone multiple times. Each time, he encounters Carmen (Kelli O’Hara), a beautiful and melancholic local, leading him to slowly forget Cyndee.
Ethical Dilemmas in Time Travel
Bert's repeated visits to June 8th allow him to learn how to best approach Carmen, even using her young niece (Kayli Carter) as a means to connect. This raises questions about the ethics of time travel and the potential for exploiting knowledge of the past.
"This World of Tomorrow" explores themes of nostalgia, the allure of the past, and the complexities of human relationships against the backdrop of technological advancement and time travel. It is a thought-provoking play that blends romance, science fiction, and ethical considerations.