Beheading Columbus

by Diana Burbano

Beheading Columbus follows two sisters down a trail of DNA deception and makes them face race and colorism in the Latinx community and in their own family. Lana is white passing, Susi isn’t, and that's been a point of conflict their whole life. Through DNA testing they discover that Lana has a white father. The DNA test also reveals that Susi, who is mixed race, has the genes for the Alzheimers that is...

Beheading Columbus follows two sisters down a trail of DNA deception and makes them face race and colorism in the Latinx community and in their own family. Lana is white passing, Susi isn’t, and that's been a point of conflict their whole life. Through DNA testing they discover that Lana has a white father. The DNA test also reveals that Susi, who is mixed race, has the genes for the Alzheimers that is destroying their mother. Add to that, they discover that the previously unknown other father is a fertility doctor who has sired at least 40 mixed race children. Through love and a massive sense of humor, the sisters work at decolonizing themselves from the inside out.

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Beheading Columbus

Recommended by

  • Heather Helinsky: Beheading Columbus

    The political is always personal and I highly enjoyed the wild ride Burbano takes us on through two sisters reckoning with identity, and what secrets DNA testing unleashes. Through the sisters, we experience both the humor and pain of complex narratives of colorism in families, discovering DNA relatives on Facebook, and dating the well-intentioned white man. This play will leave audiences asking questions of what happens after we open the chaotic box of family history, and how it transforms us.

    The political is always personal and I highly enjoyed the wild ride Burbano takes us on through two sisters reckoning with identity, and what secrets DNA testing unleashes. Through the sisters, we experience both the humor and pain of complex narratives of colorism in families, discovering DNA relatives on Facebook, and dating the well-intentioned white man. This play will leave audiences asking questions of what happens after we open the chaotic box of family history, and how it transforms us.

  • Shaun Leisher: Beheading Columbus

    This is a great play about ancestry and what it means when your whole sense of self is upended. A funny and moving play about two sisters navigating some shocking realizations. Loved all the different interactions with Lana's relatives. Big questions are being asked here in a very intimate way. With how obsessed our culture is with DNA ancestry testing these days, this is a perfect play to produce and stir up some relevant dialogue.

    This is a great play about ancestry and what it means when your whole sense of self is upended. A funny and moving play about two sisters navigating some shocking realizations. Loved all the different interactions with Lana's relatives. Big questions are being asked here in a very intimate way. With how obsessed our culture is with DNA ancestry testing these days, this is a perfect play to produce and stir up some relevant dialogue.

  • Nick Malakhow: Beheading Columbus

    Sharply satirical piece that explores the multitudes within the Latinidad, the complexity of identity and ownership over it, thorny and often painful family conversations about love, self-worth, and beauty, and a lot more! Lana and Susi's parallel journeys are compelling to watch, from Susi grappling with the family inheritance that she believes will betray her health early to Lana's often amusing reunions with half-siblings and poignant reflections on the ways her own sense of self worth and success have been wrapped up in her perceived and then newly revealed heritage. I'd love to see a...

    Sharply satirical piece that explores the multitudes within the Latinidad, the complexity of identity and ownership over it, thorny and often painful family conversations about love, self-worth, and beauty, and a lot more! Lana and Susi's parallel journeys are compelling to watch, from Susi grappling with the family inheritance that she believes will betray her health early to Lana's often amusing reunions with half-siblings and poignant reflections on the ways her own sense of self worth and success have been wrapped up in her perceived and then newly revealed heritage. I'd love to see a production of this soon!

View all 6 recommendations

Character Information

Mark and Dr. Dover can be doubled. All the siblings and Mama can be played by the same actor.
  • Susi
    Sister to Lana, funny and serious at the same time.
    Character Age
    30's-40s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Latino
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • Lana
    Sister to Susi. Insouciant and privileged.
    Character Age
    30's
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • Doctor Christian Dover
    White WASP. VERY VERY WHITE. VERY American.
    Character Age
    70's
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    White
  • Mark
    White WASP. Can double Dr Dover
    Character Age
    50's
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    White
  • Madison, Teddy, Robin, Dude, all other siblings
    Versatile
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Bi-racial/multi-racial,
    BIPOC

Development History

  • Type Reading, Organization Morgan Wixson Theatre, Year 2021
  • Type Residency, Organization The Geffen, Year 2020

Awards