Solitude
Solitude, A Latino Theatre Company’s original production at LATC, now extended through October 11, and a Los Angeles Times CRITIC’S CHOICE, has much to recommend it. The play is inspired by revered Mexican poet and essayist, Octavio Paz's, "The Labyrinth of Solitude" in which his countrymen are torn between concurrent and conflicting Pre-Columbian and Spanish cultures, not fully identifying with either, and thus remaining isolated. A parallel is drawn between Mexican’s in Los Angeles, comfortable in neither Mexican nor American identities.
The play centers on the philosophical premise that we are born alone and die alone; mankind struggles to connect with something greater than itself in order to end solitude. Against this background of serious thought, unravels several stories: a father meets his son for the first time, a mother releases her son in to the world, a wife leaves her dead marriage, a young man finds his wings, a truth-seeking limo driver, (also a skilled lover,) attempts to find deeper feelings. The ruthlessly achieved rich existence of a man who escaped the ghetto is pitted against the simple but emotionally rich life of the man who stayed behind.
Using dance, music and song we are forced into a surrealistic view of existence. On every level we feel that the play strives to incorporate the “magical realism” for which Latin American literature is famous. My one complaint is the over use of the cello. If only the writer and/or director had had enough confidence to let the dialogue stand alone. Both its content and the acting were profound enough to captivate the audience without the irritation of unbroken accompaniment which not only forced loud projection but sometimes pushed meaning into cliché and melodrama.
Writer and actress Evelina Fernandez is truly superb; Sal Lopez is totally lovable; Robert Beltran is captivating; Geoffrey Rivas is just right as the flawed 'every man;' Fidel Gomez is seamless as the nerd about to break out of his shell; and Lucy Rodriguesz, as the rejected wife, convincing.
I highly recommend this show.