[NoHo Arts District, CA] – A NoHo Arts theatre review of Josefina López’s latest play, Eléctrico, directed by Corky Dominguez, as part of CASA 0101 Theater’s ongoing 25th anniversary season.
CASA 0101 is a home to so many writers, artists, actors, musicians, directors, and also a supporting cast of thousands of admirers and patrons alike. It is the epitome of a vibrant and well-loved community theatre, with the one exception perhaps. Its founder and most prolific playwright is the legendary Josefina López, who wrote the brilliant and industry changing Real Women Have Curves, a musical version of which has just opened to rave reviews on Broadway.
Ms. López’s latest play, Eléctrico, is a wonderful retelling of a pivotal story at a crucial time in American history, just before the Mexican Revolution, in a small town close to the Mexican-American border. The white American settlers reject the Mexican born, now US citizens who have been given as many rights as they have with the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. In exchange for their loyalty to America, they became US citizens and were able to keep their lands and properties when the new Mexico-US border was formed. These families had been a part of the land for millennia. Their ancestors’ lineage heralding from the ancient indigenous peoples of what is now America. But of course, the invaders, the colonists and the usurpers are always hard at work stealing land and destroying anyone or anything that gets in their way.
The story of Eléctrico is a poetic and deeply moving one. About the fierce strength of a Mexican woman after her husband was murdered by the local sheriff and the goodness of a stranger, the electrician who was sent there to fix the grid that the new colonizer’s town needs so desperately to survive.
As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that these indigenous families are being slowly erased from the land they call home. Pushed out by the corrupt systems and murdered for standing up for their rights. In the end, all they can do is retreat to Mexico to stay alive, losing everything they have created over generations of hard work. It’s a familiar story isn’t it? A shameful one that feels no different now, happening every day in our world. Our history should teach us something and yet for the men who take and destroy for money it seems only to be a map for success.
But beautiful, important voices like Josefina’s and stories like Eléctrico can and do make a difference. If only in reminding us that, however bad we think it is now, it can get worse. And then, if history teaches us anything, we will rise again and this time stronger.
What a wonderful cast. It’s no surprise to me that CASA 0101 can draw talent as great as this. And yet, each time I see a play here I am reminded of the talent we are so lucky to have in our City of Angels. Everyone is excellent. Each character is richly drawn and believable. Each brilliant scene wonderfully wrought and portrayed. I honestly had no idea about this dark time in this particular part of US history and it explains so much about the centuries that were to come. The fight is still as fresh in many minds as ever. Unsurprisingly. Bravo to all for bringing this wonderful and important piece of our collective history to an audience eager to learn about themselves.
We are very lucky to have CASA 0101 and all its tapestry of artists in our midst. Each year, their work grows stronger and more vibrant. I truly cannot wait to see what comes next!
Tickets:
When:
October 10 – November 2
Fridays and Saturdays at 3:00 p.m., and Sundays at 3:00 p.m.
Where:
CASA 0101 Theater
2102 E 1st St Los Angeles, CA 90033
Eléctrico Cast
Robert Moris Castillo – Raymond BrownCorina Calderon – Adela Borrega Sonia Aguirre – Mexican woman; Casara Clark – Darlene Tracy/Eliza Brown, Andrew Laughery – Gerald Painter, Dustin Loomis – Sheriff Andrew Stevens, Francisco Rivas Medina – Mexican farmer/Corridos Singer/Guitarist, Alessandro Mendoza – Justino Borrego, Jeremiah Ocañas – Don Miguel/Understudy for Raymond Brown, Ryan Padilla – Bernardo Borrego, Sierra Pérez-Gelbman – Maria Teresa Borrego, Timothy Willard – Jack Powers.
The Team
The production team for Eléctrico includes: Josefina López (of the Boyle Heights) Playwright and Lyricist for Corridos Songs, Founding Artistic Director, CASA 0101 Theater; Emmanuel Deleage (of Silver Lake, CA) Producer and Executive Director, CASA 0101 Theater; Edward Padilla (of the Boyle Heights) Casting Director and CASA 0101 Theater Board Member; Corky Dominguez (of Boyle Heights) Director; Angelica Ornelas (of North Hollywood, CA) Stage Manager and Sound Designer; Maia Melendez (of South Los Angeles) Assistant Stage Manager; César Rentana-Holguín (of Northridge, CA) Set Designer; Alejandro Parra (of Burbank, CA) Lighting Designer; Anthony Storniolo (of Los Angeles, CA) Projection Designer; Patricia (Mama J) Tripp (of Northridge, CA) Costume Designer; Doreen Sanchez (of Hollywood, CA) Wardrobe Assistant; Audrey Szot (of Pico Robinson, CA) Prop Manager; Miguel Angel Delgado (of South Gate, CA) CASA 0101 Theater Technical Director; Mark Kraus (of Los Angeles, CA), CASA 0101 Theater Development Director; Itzel Ocampo (of Alhambra, CA) CASA 0101 Theater Marketing and Operations Manager; Gabriela López de Dennis, Soap Studio Inc. (of Los Angeles, CA) Graphic Designer and Program; Jorge Villanueva (of the Boyle Heights) Facilities Manager; Oscar Basulto (of the Boyle Heights) Box Office Manager; Al Aguilar (of Los Angeles, CA) Production Assistant/Foyer Designer; Rudy Torres (of Los Angeles, CA) Production Photographer and Steve Moyer Public Relations (of Los Angeles, CA), Press Representative.
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