Samantha Valdellon, Angela T. Baesa, Sandy Velasco, Arianne Villareal, Toni Katano in Boni B. Alvarez's America Adjacent at the Skylight Theatre. (Photo by Ed Krieger)
Samantha Valdellon, Angela T. Baesa, Sandy Velasco, Arianne Villareal, Toni Katano in Boni B. Alvarez’s America Adjacent at the Skylight Theatre. (Photo by Ed Krieger)

America Adjacent

Reviewed by Julia Stier
Skylight Theatre Company
Through March 24 

RECOMMENDED 

“This is not vacation. This is an investment for the future of our children.”

Six Filipina women have crammed themselves into a cluttered, one-bedroom condo in East Hollywood. They come from all different walks of life but share one desire: to guarantee American citizenship for their new babies. As they deal with cabin fever, pregnancy difficulties, and fear of deportation, they are forced to examine if the “American Dream” is even worth it.

A strong, all-female cast brings these vibrant characters to life. There’s the rule-breaking Janelle May (Evie Abat), the “professora” Roshelyn (Angela T. Baesa), the socialite, Paz (Toni Katano), the new girl Sampaguita (Samantha Valdellon), the orphaned Divina (Arianne Villareal), and the exuberant Aimee (Sandy Velasco). The woman running this birthing house is a young, stern Fil-Am who is only referred to as Administrator (Hazel Lozano). With personalities and hormones running rampant, the characters of America Adjacent — written by Boni B. Alvarez and directed by Jon Lawrence Rivera — are both comical and grounded in truth, and their experience exposes the underbelly of the American Dream.

As a devout Catholic with a hyper-sex drive Velasco’s Aimee brings plenty of humor to the play. Her positive disposition helps keep the peace in the crowded birthing house. Abat’s rebellious Janelle May is deeply impacted by her postpartum sufferings, making her rule-breaking easier to forgive. Baesa’s Roshelyn takes on a maternal role with the other women, while as Divina, Villareal depicts a reserved mother-to-be with an unexpectedly ferocious streak. Katano’s Paz is a lovable diva, and Lozano projects a cool, detached Administrator. Valdellon’s Sampaguita carries the story, which builds around her journey, her relationships with the other women, and the uncomfortable questions she raises about the purpose of their sacrifice. She is sweet, but strong, and has a beautiful, quiet fierceness to her.

Christopher Scott Murillo designed the set, with Matthew Richter and Austin Quan providing lighting and sound design respectively. Mylette Nora’s simple costumes subtly hint at each character’s personality and economic background.

America Adjacent not only serves as an eye-opening look at how many people in the world view America — it is also an ode to strong women. These mothers-to-be came alone to a foreign country and put up with less-than-ideal conditions for the sake of their children’s future. Humorous and compassionate, America Adjacent is not to be missed.

 

Skylight Theatre, 1816 ½ N Vermont Ave., Los Angeles; Fri.-Sat.,  8:30 p.m.; Sun., 3 p.m.; Mon., Mar. 4, 11, 18, 8 p.m.; through Mar. 24. SkylightTix.org. Running time: 85 minutes with no intermission.