Theater Review: Las Vidas Rotas Picks Up At Repertorio
Directed Pablo Andrade and written by Yessi Hernandez, Las Vidas Rotas deliciously/ beautifully plays into the existential questions and literary tropes of Latinidad and immigration. How much do the needy need to help the even more needy? When its clear that those on top, aka 1%, are not generously giving back, what do you owe your neighbor/ or in this case your roommate.
Mónica Steuer as Ana Luisa is a hilarious conundrum. She is a good person, whom is moral in her ways…. But not in her ideology. I laughed when I saw her so perfectly portrayed and encapsulating that not all Trump supporters are evil, but that huge orange they praise is, which puts her roommates and the audience in a pickle. How could this person, who does not share your moral views and supports a man who has none, also be the person that steps up for you, has your back, and makes sure you are safe? My aunt, a Trump Supporter, has been that person in my life: someone who loves me and would house anyone, beyond race, class, and creed, if they were in need. Yet, she votes against their existence. This enrages Carla (Bethsabé Caballero), a young immigrant who has not seen her mom in 5 years, and it is weighing on her.
As someone with her own immigrant experience, I can tell you …. It hurts. Not seeing your family, makes you oddly delusional about the past. It become the most perfect place that you should not have left, but you left because it was not perfect, it was not a place for growth, and though you had love, surrounding politics threatened it. For her,Venezuela was a beauty tainted by idiots that called themselves president, but you cannot say that did not happen here. Hence, fear trails in as sjhe wonders whether she moved to one country into another for the same BS: a non-chance to save her mom and love her, again, at her side.
Gemma Ibarra (Bibi) y Mario Mattei (Román) are amazing as comic relief. Mario had people rolling, and reminded me of the WAPA comedies that I grew up with. Meanwhile, was so bright and blooming as Ibarra´s Bibi: a sweet woman who buffers the judgements her roommates have for each other. Even if Carlais the one in need, she is not always the one that is kind, and even if Ana is the one that has, she is not always full. In fact, both struggle with how what they have earned for themselves transfers into fulfillment and a real sense of family. After all, is that not why people migrate? To get enough money, to protect the ones they love? But Tickets For Its Run Here…. Up Until September 29.
