- Eric K. Roberts and Rebeca Alemán (Photo courtesy of Latino Theater Company)
Reviewed by Julyza Commodore
Latino Theater Company/Water People Theater
Through May 25
RECOMMENDED
The Delicate Tears of The Waning Moon is just as heart wrenching as it is timely. Inspired by true events and written by Venezuelan playwright, actress and human rights advocate Rebeca Alemán, it sheds light on the violence against journalists aiming report events accurately. Paulina (Alemán) is a journalist who has recently emerged from a coma due to a brutal attack as a result of her journalism and her desire to report the full truth. It is revealed that her becoming a target is tied to reporting about journalists who were murdered as they were investigating the displacement of the Venezuelan indigenous population. She awakens not remembering much of anything, yet in order to seek justice, she must remember as much as she can. Luckily her coworker and friend, Rodrigo (Eric K. Roberts), is along with her on her journey of healing and remembering.
What makes this play so tragic is that violence against journalists is something that we have seen in real time and it is ongoing. Journalism’s duty to inform also serves the public’s right to know.
From the beginning of the play, we see the coma-triggered void in Paulina as Rodrigo struggles to teaches her the alphabet — an indicator of the severity of what she has endured and how quickly her life has changed. Alemán’s portrayal as Paulina is at times heartbreaking because of how visceral her pain is. Meanwhile, Roberts’ endearing portrayal brings hope, as his care and love for Paulina runs so deep. He’s not just helping her relearn the alphabet, but he’s helping her relearn her strength and who she was before the attack —reminding her of what she can become again.
While both actors do a wonderful job in conveying such a beautiful and truthful relationship in the midst of tragedy, director Iraida Tapias has done a lovely job of shaping the story. Never does the play feel too slow or rushed as we are taken along Paulina’s journey of recovering and remembering. Lighting designer Alejandro Melendez plays an important role, indicating with illumination the passing of time as Paulina recovers and regains her will to seek justice.
It is heart wrenching, but has a powerful message. The entire production is a testament to how much importance lies in not only being given the truth, but to give the utmost respect to those who are seeking to tell it.
Latino Theater Company and Water People Theater, 514 S. Spring Street, Los Angeles. Thurs – Sat., 8pm, Sun, 4pm. Running time: 90 minutes. https://www.latinotheaterco.org/thedelicatetears
