Lizette Santiago and Odalys Nanin (Photo by Carlos Hernandez)
Reviewed by Katy Kragel
Macha Theatre/Films at The Odyssey Theatre
Through May 3
Lizette Santiago and Odalys Nanin (Photo by Carlos Hernandez)
Handcuffs. Flamboyant florals. Sensational salsa…
And it only gets crazier from there as Odalys Nanin (Laura) and Lizette Santiago (Rachel) take the stage as two Latina, lesbian lovers in this visiting production of Love Struck. Nanin is a true quadruple threat, serving as the writer, director, producer, and actor in this production. Co-directing with Angela Nicholas and co-writing with Marie Barrientos, this show is clearly a theatrical labor of love (pun-intended!)
Laura, a Cuban woman, and Rachel, an American woman, meet the audience at the three-year mark in their relationship. Inviting us into the key ups and downs of their love story, the women bounce between present-day scenes as well as flashbacks and dramatic monologue moments. Inviting us into their roller-coaster of emotions, early in the show, they speak directly to the audience as if we are guests at their anniversary party, and we are on board to take the journey with them. Unfortunately, after this scene, the more “immersive” elements of this show fade, and we are left with slightly messy jumps between the different times in the ladies’ relationship.
Creative, practical uses of the simple but effective living room set designed by Marco de Leon help clearly shape the flashback scenes, however, with clunky blocking throughout the play, these creative choices get lost. Additionally, the inconsistent use of projections at seemingly random times throughout the show disconnects the audience from the heartfelt story that’s so couched in realism.
The actors and the script bring a sensational amount of bravery and joy to the stage covering subject matter that feels taboo but also encompasses the universal truths of love, especially when it comes to their sex life. Some classic rom-com tropes, like the wanna-be free spirited girl getting surprised by love when she least expects it, or the concept of opposites attracting, bring light-hearted, dependable fun into this production. While these moments are sprinkled throughout the entire production, sometimes the chaos takes over. The actors stumble and get lost in their lines, and by the end of the show, it feels more like a melodrama than a rom-com. The show grapples with the theme of working hard to sustain true love, versus passionate, fleeting romance; and while there is an earnest attempt to show all sides of this – vibrant happiness, awkward sexy, career and lifestyle confusion, etc. – ultimately, the structure and perhaps short run-time (around 60 minutes with no intermission) do not allow much nuanced exploration of this relationship. Regardless, the enthusiasm on the stage is palpable, and Love Struck certainly delivers on its tagline: Two Latinas One American and One Cuban in a Hurricane of Lust, Love and other Devastations!
Macha Theatre/Films at the Odyssey Theatre, 2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd., West LA. Fri.-Sat., 8 pm, Sun., 3 pm; thru May 3. www.odysseytheatre.com. Run time: 60 minutes, no intermission.
