Playwright C. Quintana hits all the marks as she taps into the cultural realities of being an immigrant in the United States while having a family that is born and raised here.
A Blog View by Alejandra Enciso-Dardashti
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| Sofia Sassone as Zelia and Zuleima Guevara as Yadra. Photo Simpatika.com |
Diversionary Theatre always brings strong works that put strong conversations on the table. Many of those conversations can become uncomfortable but it's something that is also needed in order to land conclusions or to get it, and grow. With their latest play Azul, currently playing until December 19, the LGBTQ+ theatre company shines a light on a Cuban family in an accurate and very loving way.
There is something about works with an all-women team that hits differently, and including Azul during the holiday season is even better.
Yadra (Zuleima Guevara) is a Psychiatrist, widow, and mother. She left Cuba and her beloved aunt as a little girl during the Castro era. She never went back and always questioned why her aunt did not leave with them. As Yadra discovers she has Alzheimer's and is progressing quickly, her daughter Zelia (Sofia Sassone) along with her wife Loré (Olivia Espinosa) notice that her memories are all of Cuba and the past. Zelia being blond, "passing" and not knowing Spanish, sees an opportunity to connect through her longed heritage and travel to the island and look for her aunt who during Yadra's memory lapses shares that her aunt Nena is "just" like her.
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Olivia Espinosa as Loré and Sofia Sassone as Zelia. Photo Simpatika.com |
Playwright C. Quintana hits all the marks as she taps into the cultural realities of being an immigrant in the United States while having a family that is born and raised here. Yadra does not teach her daughter Spanish because she does not want her to grow with an accent and be discriminated against like she was. Zuleima Guevara as the accepting yet conservative mother is a bundle of tenderness and just a natural. A lot of people have dealt or deal with a loved one with Alzheimer's or dementia. Quintana takes aspects from her life experience but from people's experience as well and captures it marvelously in Azul. Making it real and gifting the work one of its many qualities. There is a musical element to the play that caresses the feelings of audiences soothing the different moments. Diana Cervera walks around the stage playing the guitar with technically no interaction with the cast, like a spiritual, ghostly presence. It is just wonderful. Sofia Sassone and Olivia Espinosa make a good artistic match onstage. Sofia is passionate and graceful while Olivia is strong and mighty. Patrice Amon directing this cast surely brought all their strengths landing a well-written, powerful piece to its staged splendor.
Diversionary made a smart move including this play in their season and during the holidays. If you are smart too, you will go and enjoy this jewel.
Playing until Sunday, December 19. Upcoming events include:
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| Sofia Sassone as Zelia and Diana Cervera in Guitar |
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