Sri Nathji das : I was there when this play was shown here. I remember the Vaikuntha Players. I remember how powerful the actor and actress. Only thing it surprised me to see Sita as an American lady. I didn’t mind Rama being American but…. I was still in the bodily concept. But the important thing was these actors and actresses were so wonderful in their acting, they really brought out the best of Ramayana. At the end, Prabhupada said that these are better than the book. Then he said something else that evening. He said, “When Lord Chaitanya Himself performed His plays 500 plus years ago, Saci Mata, His own mother, could not recognize her own son.” Lord Chaitanya, I believe, acted as Laxmi-devi. That’s the power of a strong actor who really puts his consciousness, heart and soul in the role he plays, and that’s when the Lord Himself assists such an actor to exhibit all the qualities of that person. So I observed that, and Prabhupada was extremely happy with these Vaikuntha Players. That was obvious at the end of the play.
Reference: Following Srila Prabhupada-A Chronological Series by Sri Nathji Dasa
