Theater Review: Smiley Wins Hearts At Repertorio Español
There are a few words in the above synopsis that stand out, “bound,” “destined,” “love,” “differences,” and “strange.” While the illustrious Repertorio Español has ended its run of Smiley, I KNOW it will be back. It was too funny and heart-warming a show to be ignored, and too beloved by audiences to not be repeated. Smiley was a play that reignited in viewers the belief that love is weirdly fated and, in that, unbelievably exciting.
Smiley came right at the heart of Pride Month, and brought nuance to how gay, Latin men/ relationships are portrayed by showing it is all about LOVE. At times, gay relationships are treated as alien; as if two life forms from others planets have decided to mate. Moreover, Latin Men can be fetishized as gorgeous, “sex-bots” aiming for pleasure but never connection. The truth is love is a journey that pushes your heart and spirit to grow, and, according to a Japanese legend, we are all pre-destined to be pushed, grown, and adored by “the one.” What makes Smiley so special is that it lives up to the “opposites attract” notion, which is a classic, rom-com move.
Rafa Sanchez plays Bruno; a smart, witty man that cares about the world and others. Omar Nieves plays Alex a cool, but vain soul that, similar to Bruno, wonders if he can be loved. They are “opposites” in interests, personalities, and ideas. They, literally, make each others’ blood boil with passion, laughter, and confusion. They grow attracted each other as they unpack the misunderstandings and wisdom that lies when two opposites begin to love and rely on each other’s differences. It is as if they see in each other the potential arguments and virtues they could go through an eternity living. Thus, Sanchez and Nieves charisma and heart was undeniable; landing every joke and making the audience eager for Bruno and Alex TO FALL IN LOVE!!!!!!
You know you have done masterful work when A) you supersede prejudice to show human commonality and B) within 90 minutes, you make a crowd cheer and hope for love. Director Ismanuel Rodriguez achieved this with Smiley, which felt like a live-action romantic film. You got all the butterflies that occur when you start to invest in two people investing in each other. Again, Sanchez and Nieves play their characters like two bright stars slightly dimmed from romantic hopelessness. Written by Guillen Clau, this play humorously embraced how hard technology has made dating by making it so easy. We all have access to each other, from social media to dating apps, and we can, literally, dismiss the love our life because their “interests” section felt too vague.
It is hard to represent yourself with images and words, of which Smiley reveals your “true love” sees what is beneath. Hence, Smiley was SOOOOO GOOOOD! People applauded as if they, too, has fallen in love because, in its heart and humor, Smiley felt raw. These were two good men feeling slightly insecure from relationships and were fated to remind the other of their worth. QUE ROMANTICO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! For More Information On Shows by Repertorio Español Click HERE.
