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A CurtainUp Review
Boleros For the Disenchanted
(l to r) Elizabeth Ledo (Younger Flora), Sandra Marquez (Dona Milla) and René Rivera (Don Fermin)
(Photo: Eric Y. Exit) |
Rivera’s magically realistic poem-play delivers some ravishingly delicious dialogue between Elizabeth Ledo’s young hopeful and Joe Minoso as her dogged suitor, matched in tenderness if not intensity by Sandra Marquez and Rene Rivera as their older selves. Six actors create a family album, with the third dimension making all the difference.
But, like Terms of Endearment, this eager-to-please play employs easy laughs, cultural caricatures, sexist stereotypes and instant answers to manipulate more than persuade. Soapy-serious, the script tolerates no ambiguity as it works overtime not to confuse us about the characters. Excess exposition, pat pronouncements, and editorializing (where characters tell us how to view them rather than how they see themselves) confirm a calculated cuteness that spoils the spontaneity of a sterling ensemble. You never see any signs of struggle behind these glib speeches: They’re messages meant to save us the trouble of meeting the characters half way.
Even though he doesn’t trust the audience to get it, Rivera’s reclamation effort is a non-negotiable labor of love. His emotional travelogue takes us through love’s many mazes. For many the trip will be worth the contrivances.
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Boleros for the Disenchanted Written by Jose Rivera Directed by Henry Godinez Cast: Liza Fernandez, Elizabeth Ledo, Sandra Marquez, Joe Minoso, Rene Rivera, Felix Solis Set Design: Linda Buchanan Lighting Design: Joseph Appelt Costume Design: Rachel Healy Sound Design: Ray Nardelli and Joshua Horvath Composer: Gustavo Leone Running time: 2 hours and 15 minutes with 1 intermission Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn Chicago (312) 443-3800 or GoodmanTheatre.org Tickets: $25-$70 From June 20 – July 26, 2009 Reviewed by Lawrence Bommer |
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Guide to links to help Chicago visitors and locals alike find what to do, where to stay and eat.
Chicago Subway Finder & Other Information
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