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Transformations Reviews
October 30, 2006
THEATER REVIEW
Nosotros starts small, dreams big In an intimate space, two short works by a fledgling playwright and an earnest cast kick off the Latino undertaking.
By Daryl H. Miller, Times Staff Writer
The 1,200 seats in the Ricardo Montalbán Theatre remain empty even though audiences are showing up to witness the first efforts of a group delivering the sort of original Latino programming long anticipated at the underused facility.
Starting small, Ricardo Montalbán Repertory Theatre Company is using just a portion of the Hollywood hall for its presentation of two new one-act plays. Theatergoers are sent past the auditorium seats and up onto the stage, where folding chairs have been arranged on tiered platforms enfolding three sides of a playing area. The curtain is dropped when the performance is about to begin, sealing off the stage and transforming it into a rudimentary 99-seat theater.
The presentation is similarly rudimentary. There are no sets, so the plays' worlds must be conjured almost entirely through suggestion. Inventive directing and playful performances go a long way toward making this happen. And so, the double bill's collective title, "Transformations," is a sort of self-fulfilling prophecy.
As one of its primary objectives, the fledgling Nosotros group wants to nurture Latino writers, directors and actors. Here, it moves toward that goal by presenting two short plays by Jake Meyers, a lawyer and aspiring writer. His comic take on Latino-community concerns isn't terribly deep, but director David Llauger-Meiselman and 11 actors work the material for all it's worth.
A cappella, the cast sings reworked lyrics to the Ricky Martin hit "Livin' la Vida Loca" to help set the tone for "Lauren Martin," in which the title character experiences the crazy backlash of a system that deems her too well assimilated. Lauren, a young broadcast journalist, interviews for a reporting position meant to be filled by someone of Hispanic ethnicity, only to be told that she isn't Latina enough for the job. Thus begins a journey toward discovery as Lauren revisits her family's history of assimilation so that it could move ahead while immersing herself in today's Latino culture to see what more she might learn from it.
A similar musical motif - this time, Village People's "Macho Man" - is used to put across the humor in "Close but No Cohiba," in which a young man finds himself rethinking Latino culture's cult of masculinity.
Though cohabiting with his girlfriend, Jack finds himself dreaming about analysis sessions in which Sigmund Freud seems to plant the idea that Jack might be gay. Soon thereafter, the dream expands to include a sexual encounter between Jack and one of his buddies - a sequence that, as staged by Llauger-Meiselman, wackily deploys fantasy versions of significant people in Jack's life.
In both pieces, the actors make a strong commitment to the material. Estrella Tamez as Lauren and Antonio Vega as Jack contribute particularly honest, engaging performances. In smaller roles that humorously riff on male Latino behavior, Joel Roman shows promise as a comic goofball.
The ambitions - and the results - are modest as the Nosotros group makes this first appearance as a guest at the theater owned by the Ricardo Montalbán Foundation. Here's hoping it grows into its goals.
LA Times, CalendarLive.com
Los Angeles, CA -- The production of Transformations the two one-act comedies written by Jake Myers is the first outing of the Ricardo Montalbán Repertory Theatre Company (RMRTC).
The Ricardo Montalbán Repertory Theatre Company (RMRTC) is a new branch of Nosotros.
Founded by Nosotros’ 1st Vice President, Felipe Alejandro and member
David Llauger-Meiselman, RMRTC is dedicated to the American Latino experience.
The response to this first production has been positive and has brought
in new audiences being introduced for the first time to the the Ricardo Montalbán
Theatre and the work being done by the RMRTC.
Under the direction Llauger-Meiselman and in the production hands of Alejandro
this production showcases Nosotros' talented actors. In Lauren Martin Estrella
Tamez in the title role, deals with the dilemma of a young Latina from Vermont
who travels to Los Angeles pursuing her dream of becoming a television newscaster
only to discover that she is “not Latina enough”. Close, But
No Cohiba centers around Jack (Eddie Diaz) whose erotic dream involving his
good buddy Ramon not only gets him in trouble with his girlfriend but his
macho buddies are not amused.
According to Llauger-Meiselman this is only the beginning of a very ambitious vision that began through a series of workshops and staged readings. RMRTC will focus on producing original plays written, produced, directed, and performed by members of RMRTC. Ricardo Montalbán Repertory Theatre Company’s objective is to fulfill a part of Ricardo Montalban’s dream… by providing opportunities for Latinos in all aspects theatrical entertainment.
In the upcoming year RMRTC is looking forward to a new and exciting line
up which includes an original production of Piri Thomas’ Seven Long
Times, author of the award winning Down These Mean Streets. RMRTC will also
be continuing with it’s on going writer’s workshops and staged
readings.
The Ricardo Montalbán Theatre (formerly known as the Doolittle Theatre)
is a long time landmark theatre in the heart of Hollywood just south of Hollywood
and Vine. Reopened in May 2004, The Ricardo Montalbán Theatre — an
intimate theatre with 1200 seats and classic architecture — is the
fulfillment of a 34-year quest by the veteran movie and television star Ricardo
Montalbán, who has long championed Hispanics in Hollywood and is the
founder of Nosotros.
For information about RMRTC or ticket information for Transformations go to the www.nosotros.org.
REVIEWS October 23, 2006
Alison Wright Los Angeles, CA
The performances are good and
the writing is excellent. Each play is filled with clever one-liners that
are laugh-out-loud hilarious.
October 23, 2006
Ryan Siemens Santa Barbara, CA
I found the performance to be lively
and sincere...great writing and very enthusiastic and professional acting.
October 23, 2006
Jordon Harriman Glendale, Ca
Both one-act plays are well-written and well-performed. Lots of humor and
laughter. The first, "Lauren Martin," has a bunch of zingers between family
members, and singing and dancing. The second, "Close but no Cohiba," raises
some good issues about sexuality in an entertaining way. Go see them!
Oct. 30, 2006
Daryl H. Miller
As part of its aim to nurture Latino talent, the fledgling Ricardo Montalbán Repertory Theatre Company is presenting two new one-act comedies by Jake Meyers. His take
on Latino-community concerns isn't terribly deep, but director David Llauger-Meiselman
and 11 actors work the material for all it's worth.
News paper reviews.
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