By Barbara McGuire
Daily Bruin Senior Staff
The game of life is filled with many surprises that can throw one off course, and sometimes a curve ball is even thrown in, making things even more difficult to deal with. For most people, these curve balls are nothing more than a broken heart or a speeding ticket, but for some, they are things like getting drafted into the Vietnam war or growing up shamefully as a Latino in a white community.
“Black Butterfly, Jaguar Girl, Piñata Woman and Other Superhero Girls, Like Me” and “Drive My Coche,” two new plays on a double bill at The Actors' Gang in Hollywood, focus on such curve balls as well as everyday issues. Part of the “Taper, Too” 2000 season, these plays are the first to be performed under the “Taper, Too” after its five-year hiatus.
“Taper, Too” is a branch of the Mark Taper Forum which considers itself a testing grounds for new and somewhat experimental plays. “Taper, Too” productions allow for a more intimate setting and closer interaction between the audience and the actors on-stage, with just as interesting shows.
The first play, “Black Butterfly,” created and directed by Luis Alfaro, follows the “growing-up” years of five Latino teenagers in East Los Angeles. Each faces various challenges, some dealing with their culture and nationality, some dealing with problems any teenager could face. Alfaro based this story on the writings of East Los Angeles poets Alma Cervantes, Sandra C. Munoz and Marisela Norte.
The teenagers’ problems are intermixed with comical moments, such as the embarrassment of one of the girls when the most popular boy at school calls her and hears in the background that her family is watching the Spanish channel. Other scenes that make the audience grin include one in which one of the teens is at a dance trying to get the boy she likes to notice how “great” of a dancer she is by attempting some obnoxious moves. Justina Muchado, Christina Malpero, Zilah Mendoza, Carla Jimenez and Cristina Frias play the five teenage girls. They all have their Latino culture in common, though each exhibits a wide range of personalities.
Such comical, yet realistic issues are brought up alongside more serious “curve balls.” One of the teens, for instance, experiences the death of her father. Another deals with the reality of being slapped by her mother in the face and the strength that it takes for her to forgive her mother and understand what she was going through.
For the most part, however, “Black Butterfly” is upbeat, with each girl beaming girl-power (not the Spice Girl kind), and realizing that she should be proud of who she is. As the girls grow up, for each year they are older they stop and shout out various phrases that teens at such an age would say such as, “I don't think so,” and “Whatever!” Such transitional moments remain light-hearted and comical no matter what the prior scene absolves.
“Drive My Coche,” though taking place in the 70s, focuses on the stresses of adolescence as well. Written by Roy Conboy and directed by Diane Rodriguez, the play has an intriguing beatnik club feel to it. The main character, Bill, played by Jesse Borrego, is an 18-year-old Chicano facing the draft and dealing with his first love.
The story is told in flashback fashion in which Bill “steps out” of present day life and into the 70s. In the present day he poetically tells his story in front of a mic, singing, free-styling and dancing, while acting out various roles in his memories .
Such a double-scene trade off keeps the play engaging. Bill is multi-talented, taking on the roles of different characters in the play, magically changing his voice from a hardheaded military officer, to a drugged-out Veteran.
Kathy, played by Ara Celi, is the only other actor in the play and is Bill's first and tumultuous love who constantly plays mind games with him. Kathy serves as a fantasy world for Bill up until his draft status is altered to 1A. Suddenly her character’s attitude takes a sharp turn and presents Bill with the reality of war and life.
“Drive My Coche” combines fun with serious issues just as “Black Butterfly” does. The game of love is examined, as well as the stresses of the Vietnam war and its effects on all the people involved.
The double bill provides an interesting night. The differing stories of “Black Butterfly” and “Drive My Coche” provide something for everyone, both to enjoy and resonate with while at the same time, not bombarding the audience with totally opposing themes.
THEATER: The Taper Too will be releasing various innovative and experimental plays through July 17 at The Actors' Gang in Hollywood. For information or tickets call the Center Theatre Group box office at (213) 628-2772 or check on-line at www.TaperAhmanson.com.