Paloma Morales and Angel Juarez (Photo by Rudy Torres)
Reviewed by Julyza Commodore
Casa 0101 Theater
Thru October 22
RECOMMENDED
Inspired by the true story of Alicia Parlá, a Cuban-American woman who introduced the U.S. to rumba dancing, Queen of The Rumba is told through the eyes of Parlá as she recalls her life story to a fellow patient in a Miami hospital. The play is set in 1997, however we visit the1920’s and 1930’s as she recounts her life and relives her memories of her becoming “the queen of rumba.”
Almost immediately as the show opens, Parlá (Paloma Morales) has just been given two weeks to live due to a terminal illness diagnosis. Shortly thereafter, she meets a fellow patient, Sofia (Kenia Romero) who was just given the notice that she, too, has two months to live. Because Sofia won’t stop hysterically crying, Parlá gets the idea to tell her life story to her; so not only is she comforting the sick girl, she also gets a chance to look back on her own life that she now knows is coming to an end.
Written by Josefina López, the play’s intriguing story-telling recounts Parlá’s life story from a very young girl in Cuba who just wanted to dance, to a young woman in the United States who becomes an undeniable influence. The production, directed and choreographed by Corky Dominguez, beautifully balances dramatic and comedic moments.
A standout performance comes from Angel Juarez (Young Parlá) as she plays the determined and passionate young woman who simply wanted to follow her dreams regardless of whether it was at the displeasure of her father, Alfonso (Adam Jacobo). Juarez does so with grit and charm.
Her father’s disapproval of young Parlá’s life choices ultimately strengthened the relationship with her mother, Goretti (Lolita Lazcano), which was heartwarming to see.
The impact of the production, with its zest for life in the midst of death, leaves one feeling inspired and overjoyed.
Casa 0101 Theater, 2102 E. First Street, Boyle Heights; Fri.-Sat., 8 pm; Sun., 3 pm; thru Oct. 22. https://casa0101.org/
