Masks

Reviewed by Julyza Commodore
Whitefire Theatre
Thru July 29 

RECOMMENDED

Mass incarceration has and still affects many people in 2023. According to prisonpolicy.org, state prisons in the United States hold an approximate 1 million people, local jails hold 514,000 and federal prisons and jails hold 209,000.

Starring, written, produced and directed by Terryl Daluz and Mann Alfonso, Masks deals with the harsh reality of two men growing up in the system together. 

The play itself is broken down with a timeline dating back to 1978 and running until 2006. But it’s not until 1988 when both Jason (Daluz) and T.G. (Alfonso) befriend one another as young boys in a facility. By this point, both have had their fair share of experiences that have led them to not trust many, nor feel protected by them. They only have one another to depend on as they grow into young men as the show progresses. Each has a flashback (Jason’s in 1978 and T.G. in 1995) which puts much into perspective as far as their back-stories go and what has affected them so deeply as children up until present day.

What is done so well in this show is the display of raw emotion – everything is felt to the core. For anyone watching, it would be difficult to even try to ignore the deep subject matter that the show covers. There are indeed light and funny moments scattered throughout; however, the main goal here is to show why these men have felt the need to wear “masks” throughout various periods of their lives in order to just make it through to see another day. That alone is not only a very sensitive matter attached to these characters’ specific situation, but a universal one that all can relate to in one way or another.  

The effective lighting and sound design is done by Mitch Rosander, with wardrobe assisting by Paz Neri. The lighting, staging and costumes are simple as the story is the main focus.

Sometimes both actors portray other characters in order to convey the story that they are telling. 

Masks is an exceptional example of storytelling; the story is important and it is evident that the actors know that, demonstrated by the way it’s so clearly and deeply embedded in both of their hearts.

Whitefire Theatre, 13500 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks; Sat., 6 pm; thru July 29.  masksstageplay.eventbrite.com