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2010 |
EMBRACING DREAMS |
2011 |
20th
Season
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Socorro! Me Caso
(Help! I’m Getting Married) |
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AllArtsReview4U,
by
Bob
Anthony |
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Romeo y Julieta una Obra en Construcción
(a Work in Progress) |
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AllArtsReview4U,
by
Bob
Anthony |
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AllArtsReview4U
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The finest reviews of the performing and visual arts from
the DC and Baltimore area plus contributions from around the
country and the world! |
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Mi Marido es un Cornudo (My Husband is a Cuckold) |
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by Bob Anthony
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The house was packed and the festival started off with a laugh riot with Elba Escobar presenting a one woman show, "MY HUSBAND IS A CUCKOLD". The performance was delivered as a stand-up with Ms. Escobar (apparently a very popular hispanic comedienne) talking about wives who cheat on their husbands. She backed it up with scientific studies as to why it happened, where it happened (greatest number were in Chile... perhaps because they don't allow divorce), and how it happened. She personalized a story of a woman who falls in love with a hunk at work and talks about the affair and how she managed to keep it secret from her husband. There was audience laughter throughout which was so loud that the English interpreter (through headsets) was not able to be heard... so the non-Spanish sometimes were left with missing tag lines. But Ms. Escobar had enough acting talent and non-verbal so that all was not lost. Teatro de la Luna can be proud that they are offering shows from hispanic countries as an annual event. It is an international event that should be supported. |
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DC Theatre Scene |
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Washington’s Liveliest Theatre Website
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Mi Marido es un Cornudo (My Husband is a Cuckold) |
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Rosalind Lacy |
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Here’s breaking news. Women have just as many extra-marital affairs as men do. Is this factual? It’s a play. It’s all fantasy by the stereotype-smashing, Venezuelan playwright Elizabeth Fuentes.
Are Latina women unfaithful to their husbands? Yes. How shocking is that? It destroys the sacred myth of machismo, the Don Juan legend, and Latino Lovers. My Husband is a Cuckold, which has enjoyed acclaim before full-house audiences in Caracus, and played to sold-out, overflow crowds last Friday and Saturday nights, is a high-velocity comedy with a well-deserved, needle-stab aimed at a double-standard.
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Washington Post |
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Mi Marido es un Cornudo (My Husband is a Cuckold) |
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by Celia Wren |
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Washington Post Staff Writer |
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Tuesday, November 2, 2010 |
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A firecracker of a one-woman show signaled the opening in late October of the 13th International Festival of Hispanic Theater, hosted by Arlington's Teatro de la Luna. Writer Elizabeth Fuentes's "Mi Marido Es un Cornudo (My Husband Is a Cuckold)" is a witty, cosmopolitan and refreshingly cheerful tale of unremorseful adultery that has found a knockout interpreter in celebrated Venezuelan actress Elba Escobar. Sauntering around the stage with an air of wicked relish, occasionally pausing to improvise -- teasing audience members about their love lives, for instance -- Escobar kept a seemingly sold-out house in guffaws for a 90-minute performance.
"Mi Marido," which is directed by Enrique Salas, has moved on to New York -- it plays at Manhattan's Repertorio Español on Friday and Saturday. But the Arlington festival, at the Gunston Arts Center's Theater II, continues through late November with U.S. premieres of shows from Argentina, the Dominican Republic and Paraguay, as well as a world premiere: Teatro de la Luna's staging of the family play "Gotas de Agua (Drops of Water)," by U.S.-based Venezuelan thespian Jacqueline Briceño. With the exception of Briceño's piece (which is bilingual), the productions are performed in Spanish, with simultaneous English translation available via headset.
Audiences will be fortunate if the rest of the lineup is as saucily engaging as "Mi Marido," about a female magazine journalist who trysts with a hunky colleague while -- coincidentally -- working on an investigative report about female infidelity. On an eye-catching set, consisting of a white chaise longue, a coat stand and a blood-red rug and matching ottoman, the Rubenesque Escobar tossed off impressions of a pompous psychiatrist dispensing yawn-worthy advice; a cranky husband spotting surreptitiously bought lingerie; and a male lothario with the physique of a Greek god and a proclivity for talking geopolitics (the state of East Timor, say) in bed. Mostly, though, she portrayed the play's self-aware heroine -- shutting herself, taut-faced, in an office bathroom to read a letter from her lover; grinning goofily in a bar while researching an article on martini trends; and, finally, blowing wistful kisses in an airport after a bittersweet goodbye.
Next up at the festival are two plays from Argentina, Christian Vivas and Hernán Traversa's "Socorro! Me Caso (Help! I'm Getting Married)" and Pablo Di Felice's humorous Shakespeare riff, "Romeo y Julieta, una Obra en Construcción (Romeo and Juliet, a Work in Progress)." Those will be followed by "Ubú Rey (King Ubu)," a version of the Alfred Jarry classic by a Dominican Republic troupe; Briceño's piece; and, finally, Hugo Luis Robles's "Techaga'ú-Añoranza (Wistful Memories)," from Paraguay.
Wren is a freelance writer.
13th International Festival of Hispanic Theater presented by Teatro de la Luna. Through Nov. 27 at Gunston Arts Center, Theater II, 2700 S. Lang St., Arlington.
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© 2010 The Washington Post Company |
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AllArtsReview4U
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The finest reviews of the performing and visual arts from
the DC and Baltimore area plus contributions from around the
country and the world! |
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El Día Más Feliz de Nuestra Vida |
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(The Happiest Day of Our lives) |
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Spain's alquible teatre's contribution to the Festival is Laila Ripoli's female-oriented romatic comedy "THE HAPPIEST DAY OF OUR LIVES" which tells the tale of three sisters in which one wants to cancel her loveless marriage the evening before the wedding followed by an earlier day in their lives when they prepare for confirmation in the Catholic church and the future bride Marijose is accused of committing sins which will disallow her from being confirmed. The script is very good and the acting...particularly in the second part where the actresses play young girls...was excellent. Tops in acting was Esperanza Clares as Conchi which was over the top but extremely funny as she showed off her body in abandoned expressions. Her "cackling" laugh could get her a life contract to play one of the witches in "MacBeth". Lola Martinez (Amelia) and Susi Espin (Marijose) were fine foils for her throughout. The directing by Antonio Saura was rather ponderous which lacked support for some of the comic interactions but there was sufficient laughter as the comic antics by the actresses took hold particularly in the second part. The casting was rather odd as the three sisters looked years apart in the first part and were more effective as being close in age in the second part. But, overall, the play very astutely showed emotional phases in the female persuasion. (Reviewed by Bob Anthony). |
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DC Theatre Scene |
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Washington’s Liveliest Theatre Website
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El Día Más Feliz de Nuestra Vida |
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(The Happiest Day of Our lives) |
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Rosalind Lacy |
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Teatro de la Luna’s XIII International Hispanic Theater Festival continued on a roll with a richly profound, absurd black comedy from Spain about waiting. Three sisters, who are triplets, wait for the happiest day of their lives: a wedding and a first communion. Nobody comes. Nobody leaves. Nothing happens.
Russian playwright Chekhov gave us Three Sisters about three trapped women who want to break out. Spanish playwright, Laila Ripoll ignites a breakout in two time frames. The Happiest Day of Our Lives is a character-driven play that starts about 1983, and takes place on a huge king-size bed. Freedom from censorship has begun under courageous King Juan Carlos’ democratic reforms since the repressive dictator Franco died in 1975. Act II flashes back twenty years to the triplets, in pigtails, on the same bed. Time reversal and character doubling are unexpected and create a tremendous irony.
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AllArtsReview4U
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The finest reviews of the
performing and visual arts from the DC and Baltimore area plus
contributions from around the country and the world! |
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Socorro! Me Caso |
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(Help! I’m Getting Married) |
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Argentinian actress, Nadia Bagdadi, does a one person show with
many characterizations in "Help! I'm Getting Married". Ms.
Bagdadi has a fine stage presence but one questions the
direction of Liliana Pecora who fails to give stage definitions
so one only occasionally notes a change of character...except
for the snotty and envious sister who hides under chairs and
tables. The Gunston theater is lovingly decorated with white
bows along the aisles and a front stage that glows with marriage
accoutrements. The audience responded with only polite laughter
which should have been greater for a script about a young girl
who gets married while trying to hide her pregnancy. This
actress has much talent which the director just failed to bring
out totally for this could-be riotous comedy. |
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AllArtsReview4U
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The finest reviews of the
performing and visual arts from the DC and Baltimore area plus
contributions from around the country and the world! |
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Romeo y Julieta una Obra en Construcción |
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(Romeo y Julieta a Work in Progress) |
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Another Argentinian company, Puro Grupo, is presenting a
different take on the classic "ROMEO AND JULIET" in which two
players, Pablo Di Felice and Monica Spada, must perform the
whole show as a duet since the company, the prop man and music
director are all stranded on a bus and can't make the tv showing.
The show starts off with poor timing by the two actors but
blossoms as a solid comedy as the show moves forward. Business
is wonderful especially when Juliet must kill herself with a saw
and Romeo must drink a whole bucket of poison which he places on
his derriere as he leaves the stage. The show is directed by
Pablo Di Felice and, again, the old adage is that a player
should not direct himself on stage because this adaptation could
be a laugh riot with another director at the helm. Regardless,
it is a very funny show. Two more performances today
(11/13)...so get a ticket and enjoy the afternoon or evening. |
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Arlington Connection |
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Gotas de Agua |
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(Drops of Water) |
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by
Delia Sava |
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There was a lot of clowning around as Teatro de la Luna
presented its new bilingual children’s play at the
Gunston Arts Center on Saturday, Nov. 20. "Gotas de
Agua" (Drops of Water), a play written and directed by
Jacqueline Briceno, delivers environmental lessons in a
creative and fun way. The play will be performed again
on Saturday, Nov. 27.
"It really opens their eyes to another form of
entertainment that is also educational at the same
time," said Marcela Ferlito, who plays Rocio, the clown
trying to guard the fountain of pure water. Hydrofriend,
played by Alex Alburqueque, helps Rocio defend the water
from the evil Conta, King of Contamination, played by
Peter Pereyra.
The story uses humor, fantasy and fun to engage the
audience: children booed the bad behavior of Conta,
cheered the heroine’s efforts to clean up litter, and
blew whistles to warn Rocio when Conta was trying to
trick her. Ferlito noted that while the kids were having
fun, it was clear from their reactions that they "got"
the message about the importance of recycling.
"Fun is important for all of us," said Fran Buntman,
Ph.D., an assistant professor of sociology at The George
Washington University, who attended the performance with
her three daughters, Sarah Orozco, Gabriela Orozco and
Mia Ramos. "I liked the environmental theme and thought
they did a great job," she added.
Buntman praised Teatro’s bilingual theater workshops: "It’s
an excellent program which has greatly improved their
Spanish and their confidence and they’ve had a lot of
fun." Her daughter, Sarah Orozco chimed in, "In January
we’re going to be in a play for the children’s festival
and it’s about witches."
Buntman explained, "They’re very excited and have been
practicing for weeks."
Lee Walzer, who was there with son, Joshua O’Keefe
Walzer, said he enjoys attending Teatro’s programs
because "we always have a great time." The elder Walzer
is an attorney at the Department of the Treasury who
said he is "functional" in Spanish. Joshua was adopted
from Guatemala when he was 7 months and he attends a
dual language immersion school. "His accent is perfect
and so is his comprehension and he speaks really well,"
said Walzer.
In remarks to the audience, Nucky Walder, a producer
with Teatro, thanked parents for bringing the children
to the play. "If children don’t see theater at an early
age, it’s difficult for them to want to see it when
they’re older," she said. Walder also expressed her
gratitude to the Arlington County Cultural Affairs
Division and the Arlington Commission for the Arts for
their support.
In the era of the Internet, Walzer said he appreciates
that his son can have this type of live theater
experience. "We’re lucky to be living here and we’re
lucky to have Teatro," he said. |
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DC Theatre
Scene |
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Washington’s Liveliest Theatre Website
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Gotas de Agua |
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(Drops of Water) |
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by
Rosalind Lacy |
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The children’s totally-into-it involvement is what makes this
play so magical. By the end, Drops of Water is a splash hit
without wasting a drop of water.
Last year, children and adults could relate wholeheartedly to
playwright Jacqueline Briceno’s The Cat and the Seagull, (El
Gato Y La Gaviota), in which a cat saves the life of an orphaned
baby seagull. The play was the cat’s meow and a hit. Now Briceno
is back as writer/director of Drops of Water (Gatos de Agua),
another bilingual family play based on a
let’s-protect-the-planet theme for this year’s Teatro de la
Luna’s XIII International Festival of Hispanic Theatre.
Read more
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AllArtsReview4U
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The finest reviews of the performing and visual arts from
the DC and Baltimore area plus contributions from around the
country and the world! |
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Ubú Rey |
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(King Ubu) |
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The Dominican Republic presented the two person show (the actors playing many characters) in "UBU REY" which is possibly the weakess of the dramas for this International Festival. The two actors, Manuel Chapuseaux and Nives Santana, gave us nothing but silliness so the farcical elements just didn't convey. Actors must believe in their characters and the script otherwise they fail the playwright. In addition, there were too many references to Eastern Europe and these two performers never came close to appreciating the ethos of that region of the world. Yes, there was some laughs from the audience but only when some perversity was blatant. One kept hoping that the two actors would settle down but, unfortunately, it never happened. We assume that Mr. Buenaventura directed this "loose" version as again it must be emphasized that actors should not direct themselves...actors need the third eye of a director otherwise a play ordinarily ends in failure.
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AllArtsReview4U
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The finest reviews of the performing and visual arts from
the DC and Baltimore area plus contributions from around the
country and the world! |
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Techaga'ú - Añoranza |
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(Wistful Memories) |
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Paraguay's contribution to the festival was "WISTFUL MEMORIES" that was more like a tone poem as the villagers in a smallish town present incidences of living that ranged from a mother sending her young daughter to a major city for a job with continuing concern for her riding away in a broken down bus to a peasant woman cooking a live chicken and reminiscing until she decided to let it live. There was basically no dramatic buildups and the lighting (probably to establish a reminiscent quality) was much too dark throughout the 75 minute play. Hugo Luis Robles did a masterful job in directing...especially the opening scene of suitcased people moving around the stage… which saved the play. And he had lots of stage movements with lovely stage pictures.
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