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| Esperanza America and Saul Nieto Photos by Grettel Cortes Photography |
By Joe Straw
On our drive to downtown Vilma asked me, “What are we seeing?”
“Sleep with the Angels by Evelina Fernández.”
“What’s it about?”
“I’m not really sure, it’s a world premier, but knowing her and José Luis Valenzuela (the director) there will probably be singing, dancing, some mystical stuff, and or some kind of supernatural movement from origins unknown.”
Our regular parking lot is full so we park across the street, no problem, and then head for Guisados for the Chiles Toreados. I tell them leave the hottest chili out but they refused. So it was a hot start to an even hotter Latino night of theatre. - narrator
Sleep with the Angels written by Evelina Fernández and directed by José Luis Valenzuela is now playing at The Los Angeles Theatre Center through June 26, 2022.
The color of life has left this family. They are all now dressed in greys and whites occupying a home that was possibly once home to an optimistic and vibrant life.
But, time passes and revelations within the family give light to unsettling choices setting off a chain of irreconcilable events.
And for now, all is not right. This family is a crumpled mass of humanity much like the pieces of paper that litter the floor and the fast food refuse on the dinning room table that are scattered like the occupants who are now screaming at each other for their space and things they want while hardly taking the time to extricate themselves from their phones.
It’s apparent the parents are no longer living with each other. The father has moved out, and the mother wonders why he can’t take the kids on this very important day for her. He believes his job is more important and he makes most of the money. And even though she is in lawyer mode, she is now managing the house with kids while trying to negotiate childcare. All the while positioning herself to become a partner in a law firm
Dad has left for a reason, some measure of traversing his life that fits his lifestyle or something or someone he is not entirely satisfied with. His daughter loves him but his son is ambivalent to share his feelings with his father.
For the moment, their childcare is now gone, lost, taken away by the winds of unfortunate events and now, in a turbulent gust of action, mom has to find someone else, and quickly.
But the winds turn favorable this day, strong and hot, but favorable. And when the gardener enters into the house the winds nearly blow mom and the kids to the floor.
Meanwhile outside, riding the winds like a dandelion, an umbrella floats safely, and brings the heroine from south of the border like the iconic Disney character, who shall remain nameless but her name starts with an M and ends with an s. Setting herself down, nice and pretty, into the back of a gardener’s pickup truck one supposes.
The gardener says she’s there, a niece that would be happy to take care of her kids. How he knows that within minutes of her arrival is a matter of fantasy; yes she has her papers and yes she is willing to work.
So Juana (Espéranza America) arrives through the door, umbrella in tow that is suddenly released and now magically floats to the ceiling, without anyone taking notice, making herself right at home not even questioning if she has the job, she makes it her job.
And so Juana, bringing color into the room, has some pretty heavy lifting to do. Thrust into the lives of a single mother Molly (Elia Saldana) and her two children Cindy (Victoria Tamez) and a questioning younger sibling Alex (Saul Nieto) that do not appear at first glance to get along, at all.
Juana is the calming adult in a house full of turmoil negotiating the lives of the children and their father John (Randy Vasquez) who doesn’t understand his son, and her mother-in-law Rose (Tina D’Marco) with her biting commentary on everything. Juana brings the color back into their lives and she does it in some very unusual ways.
Evelina Fernández has written her best comedy to date. Sleep With The Angels is about many ideas but most prevalent it’s about childcare making a significant difference in the lives of others. One thinks the ending will go one way but decidedly turns another spoiling my ending for a feel good moment. (Welcome to the harsh realities of the real world!) Nevertheless, despite those realities, the play is remarkable in the way that weaves relationships and moves the characters in increments of understanding the pride of personal freedoms. It takes one character in action to make a significant difference in the lives of others and that aspect of the play created a very successful evening.
José Luis Valenzuela, the director, doesn’t disappoint and does a remarkable job. The work is almost seamless. There is always music, singing, and a little bit of dancing in a Valenzuela production and it all works. The relationships, the conflict, and resolutions fit but the enhanced mysticism played out needs an additional boost, which would benefit with enhanced colorful lighting. And this may have happened but to a lesser degree that one is thinking. As an example, Juana brings color when she first appears in the home, and to that extent she should recognize the household as her tapestry.
Esperanza América as Juana brings color into the family’s lives. Color in dress, and attitude. She sings a few songs and has a very lovely voice. She mixes a concoction of tea, a bubbling, smoking brew, that, despite its appearance, no one can turn it away. América’s work is outstanding, very comical, and magical.
Tina D’Marco is remarkable as Rose and if you had some preconceived ideas of what a mother-in-law is and does D’Marco is just the opposite. She is delightful and unusual as Rose and manages to pull off an impressive work of art in the short time she is on stage. She is also Louise.
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| Saul Nieto |
Saul Nieto is also Alex, a young man that knows what he wants but is afraid to disappoint his father. He hides until he is ready to present himself in living color without excuses. Nieto’s performance is worthy.
Eduardo Roman is Pablo the gardener. As of now, he is the one who introduces his niece, but maybe there could be an additional backstory here. Roman has a commanding presence. His character presents a strong virile man without the conflict, internal or external, necessary to drive the character. The conflict could present itself in a myriad of ways, starting with the unhappy wife, next the estranged husband, and lastly a very peculiar niece. There are many “what ifs” that need additional exploration. Not to take away from anything on stage on this night but to add to Roman’s work which is enjoyable from start to finish. He is also Lou, a partner in the law firm with a nasty disposition.
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| Saul Nieto, Elia Saldana, Victoria Tamez |
Elia Saldana is Molly a woman that is preoccupied with being a wife, lawyer, and a homemaker. There’s not a lot of room to engage in other business except with her law firm to which she makes strides. Saldana is impressive as Molly.
Victoria Tamez is Cindy, a young lady who learns a lot during the course of the play and love plays an important part. Her relationship with her brother grows exponentially as well as with her mother and with Juana. There is plenty to like in her performance.
Randy Vasquez plays John, lawyer, father, and husband in that order. We don’t really know why he has left but he is willing to do anything to help his estranged wife get what she wants or needs. We suspect that he leaves the family because of his effeminate son – that whole Latin machismo thing – but it may not be the only reason. Vasquez gives John a hard edge, someone who has lived a harsh life, more than he lets on. His clothing and manner suggests a less than successful lawyer and a mind preoccupied with other outside conflicts. The ending is another harsh reality he has to face, maybe not one he really wants but is willing to face. (If we are having this ending, then the emotional outpouring should represent the realities of the situation.) Still, this is a very interesting and nuanced performance and was thoroughly enjoyable.
Robert Revelle is the musician, a guitarist, and the composer of the original music with lyrics by Evelina Fernández and Esperanza América. The music is beautiful; the songs were wonderful and on the whole added to a marvelous night of theatre.
Noelle Franco and Xavi Moreno as understudies did not perform the night I was there.
When coming to the LATC one always enjoys the work of the sound design of John Zalewski. His work always gives the production a boost and stays with you long after the final curtain.
Wonderfully cast by Blanca Valdez.
Other members of the crew are as follows:
Scenic, Costume, Lighting & Projection Design – Emily Anne MacDonald & Cameron Jay Mock
Assistant Director – Jean Carlo Yunén Aróstegui
Movement Coordinator & Choreography – Urbanie Lucero
Production State Manager – Henry “Heno” Fernández
Assistant Stage Manager – Martha Espinoza
Production Manager – Nate Rufus Edelman
Sleep With The Angels is an outstanding production! Run! Run! Run!