David Don Miller’s gritty and dynamic play follows an English teacher as he tries to navigate New York City's antiquated public school system. In his first year at a Bronx high school, the ambitious Rudy Donovan encounters ill-disciplined kids and a principal whose only concern is keeping his school "below the radar" and securing federal funding. A real-life teacher himself, the playwright exposes the flaws, contradictions and hand-tying rules that educators must contend with; among the issues it tackles are state testing, the controversial "rubber room" and the problem of children being pushed through grade after grade with subpar literacy skills. Miller's drama leaves you better schooled about these underappreciated heroes.—Dennis Roberson
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