ICE 

Reviewed by Dana Martin 
24th Street Theatre 
Extended through June 24th 

RECOMMENDED 

Immigrants have been scorned and vilified and “undocumented” has become a dirty word. But ICE, a slick and imaginative production at the 24th Street Theatre, examines what it really means to be an American immigrant — what one gains, the sacrifices one makes, and how difficult it is to survive in the land of the free and the home of the brave. Written by Leon Martell, this is a story from the point of view of two immigrants who are daring to dream big: the Big American Dream. 

Los Angeles circa 1988 amid World Series mania, with the Dodgers slugging their way toward the title. Chepe (Jesús Castaños-Chima), an immigrant from Sinaloa, Mexico, has big hopes and even bigger balls. Los sueños de el son grandes pero sus cajones son aún más. He’s in Los Angeles for his shot at fame and fortune — the American Way.  An avid Dodger fan, he plans to reunite with childhood friend turned baseball superstar, Fernando Valenzuela. As he settles into the culture, he finds a variety of hard labor jobs to make ends meet, though often under dubious and never promising conditions. He purchases a dilapidated old ice cream truck and turns it into a taco one. When Chepe’s cousin Nacho (Tony Dúran) arrives at his request, bringing sacred family and the pride and love of their family left behind, Chepe finds out what exactly he must sacrifice to achieve the American Dream, all the while enduring the constant threat of deportation.

Director Debbie Devine makes masterful use of the space and tells the story in an imaginative and poignant way. The variety of multimedia, designed by the innovative Matthew G. Hill, elevates an already excellent production. The play itself is presented in both Spanish and English, with subtitles projected throughout the story, making it accessible to all. Chris Moscatiello creates a rich soundscape that nails time and place. Keith Mitchell designs a simple, effective set that complements the play’s swiftly shifting locations. Designer Shannon A. Kennedy’s costumes are a detailed extension of the character’s personalities.

Jesús Castaños-Chimas shines as Chepe, a taco truck owner who becomes deceived by the very American illusion that money equates to happiness. He is an everyday everyman, overcome with desire for self-made success. Tony Dúran is especially sympathetic as Nacho, a kind and optimistic person with strong moral convictions and a deep devotion to his family. Davitt Felder finds broad, archetypal characters in a variety of peripheral roles played live and in video sequences throughout the play, and his singing voice is divine.

To whom does the American Dream belong? ICE is a beautiful blend of the Spanish and English languages, an ode to our Los Angelean way of life that is proudly, inextricably intertwined with Mexican culture. The show is, most importantly, a demand for immigration reform. Those individuals who immigrate to this country deserve a place amongst us, and an equal chance to realize and live out their dream — one of  freedom and equality, shared by our ancestors, ingrained in our history, and as American as apple pie.

24th Street Theatre, 1117 West 24th St.; Los Angeles; Sat., 3 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 3 p.m.; Extended though June 24th; (213) 745-6516(213) 745-6516(213) 745-6516745-6516(213) 745-6516745-6516 or 24thstreet.org.; Running time 65 minutes with no intermission.