Reviewed by Odalys Nanin
Casa 0101
Thru Dec. 21
RECOMMENDED
Two brothers are princes of Egypt; one, destined to be the great Ramses II; and the other Moses, who will free his people from bondage and deliver them to the promised land. The directorial vision of Rigo Tejeda to mount Stephen Schwartz (music and lyrics) and Philip Lazebnik’s (book) epic musical in an intimate stage is breathtaking.
It’s a musical about bigotry and anti-Semitism; specifically: who’s in, and who’s out. In short, the Egyptians are in power; the Hebrews, their slaves. It’s an old story. Written and composed by Jewish authors, its resonances are kaleidoscopic in 2025 United States, and demonstrate, disconcertingly, how so little has changed, how idiosyncratic and arbitrary bigotry has been since the days when the Pyramids were built. Who built them? Not the “in”-crowd. And the production assumes a universal significance being performed in a neighborhood of residents currently being targeted by ICE and identified by their skin color. This audience of religious Catholics sees Moses as the liberator not just of Hebrews but of people of all faiths who believe in the love of God. Hence, this musical’s resonance and its pertinence to East L.A., where the theater is situated.
César Rentana-Holguín’s set design is simple but dramatic. The great pyramids of Giza are projected on a huge screen, two staircases on wheels are used to create the height of the pyramids as well as the horse drawn chariots; silk fabric bellowing represents the sand storms; and the fabled “burning bush” is depicted by 10 actors, gyrating to create the impression of flames (choreography by Tania Possick in atmospheric lighting designed by Alejandro Parra).
At the start of the performance, we see a slave pulling a heavy stone and being whipped by the guards to move faster as the stage light intensifies. Enter Ramses (Christopher J Thumé) and Moses (Diego Huerta-Gutierrez). They challenge each other to a chariot race and Moses wins the race. Both actors deliver memorable performances, their characters being competitive yet bonded by brotherly love.
Soon, we meet their father, Seti I. In that role Julian Armaya’s strong voice commands the stage. His wife, Queen Tuya is beautifully played by Danielle Johnson. Meanwhile, Joslynn Cortes portrays Tzipporah, a slave girl who’s forced to dance for their entertainment. Cortes’s enchanting performance exudes both strength and sensuality. Tzipporah escapes; Moses runs after her into the street market. There, he is recognized by his Hebrew sister Miriam (Chrissi Erickson), who reveals to him a hitherto unknown truth about his birth, that he’s not who he thinks he is. Like her, he’s a Hebrew, a second-class citizen. Moses does not believe her yet confronts his mother about it; she confirms it.
Moses decides to leave but Ramses tries to stop him, assuring him that it will be their secret, that he can fix it and make it right. In a heartbreaking duet between the brothers, Moses sings “You can’t make it right! I was born a Hebrew, there’s no royal blood in my veins.”
Moses leaves into the desert a broken young man, but destiny guides him to reunite with Tzipporah. He becomes a shepherd and eventually they marry. Meanwhile, Ramses follows his destiny, marries the beautiful Nefetari (Naledi Miga) who turns out to be loving but stern. (She has a touching solo song, grieving over her deceased son, Seti II.)
Moses returns to Egypt to deliver his people from bondage. Holding a wooden staff, he enters the royal Palace to reunite with his brother. Ramses is now Pharaoh of Egypt. The evocative costumes, designed by Toni Iniguez, reveal the rich splendor of Ramses’s court. Moses wants Ramses to let his people go free, but he refuses. Moses, tormented by what he must do, sends the seven plagues. Ramses gives in, and Moses leaves with all his people. They reach the Red Sea. Realizing that Ramses is following them, Moses calls out and parts the sea, because God is watching. Two curtains are drawn on either side of the stage where the projection of the waves parting – all cleverly designed by Anthony Storniolo. Ramses tells Moses “Go! Your place is with your people.”
Unanswerable questions linger: Once they acquire weapons, what will his people do to their neighbors? When will this cycle of vengeance end?
The wonderful ensemble includes Gabriella Ortiz, Faith Perez, Alyssa Rojas, Joseph Rosales, Emily Ann Pember, Kayleigh Long, Abraxaz Efrain Sanchez Lopez, Aaron Gibbs, Christopher B. Baker. Other solid performances are by Toni Elizabeth White as Yocheved, & Sofia Lopez as young Miriam.
This production is part of this theater’s 25th anniversary season under the leadership of Founding Artistic Director, Josefina López. Brava.
CASA 0101 Theater, 2102 East 1st Street. Boyle Heights; Fri.-Sat., 8 pm; Sun., 3 pm; thru Dec. 21 Email: tickets@casa0101.org. Running time: Two hours and 35 minutes, including intermission.
