An Ode to Latinidad and Motherhood through the beauty of Storytelling, Languages, and Culture.
What I sometimes love about these San Diego Theatre companies is that not only do the new works come through, but they also bring other works from different ecosystems to us. In the case of Ni Mi Madre, my excitement stemmed from being a long-time fan of Rattlestick Theater and not having had the chance to go! The show premiered there and is now debuting here.
Written and performed by Arturo Luíz Soria, this one-hour, one-hander takes us to Bete’s room and story with her three husbands and five children. One of them is Arturo, who, according to his Brazilian mother, is her heart and her torment, as he was one of the most challenging kids to raise. Stephanie Osin’s scenic design features a room with a checkered-looking floor, full of plants, and a vanity stocked with necessities like a handbag and body lotion, amongst other surprises courtesy of Anthony Garcia’s Props. Krista Smith’s lighting cues the different stages and feel of the storytelling, with Kathy Ruvuna’s sound, which includes musical excerpts ranging from Madonna to Whitney to JLo.
Danilo Gambini’s directorial touch is precise, with Luíz Soria moving organically across the stage as he faces the audience, taking deliberate pauses to let the story click. The performance is aesthetically pleasing, both visually and audibly, with detailed set design; Bete wears a one-shoulder off-white dress courtesy of Haydee Zelideth that Soria finishes putting on once on stage, which I found to be a very poetic indication of the actor-portrayal transition. Audibly, yes, the songs add to the experience, but it was the languages that made it even more beautiful, as Arturo alternates between English, Portuguese, and Spanish in the dialogue. I appreciated the different accents, from Jersey/New York to Dominican, and with Portuguese, I do not speak it, but I can pick it up a bit, and I thought it was crisp.
Another thing I appreciated is the idiosyncrasy of it all and the clash between Latin American and U.S parenting. Soria’s autobiographical piece reflects work, dedication, and attention to detail. Mostly, it is a dialogue with his mother, who, according to the story, did not have a relationship with her own mother.
The play looks to bring Bete peace, while Arturo reminds us that theatre can also be a magnificent healing tool.
I highly recommend that you do not miss this outstanding work. Whole, complete, and concise.
Nota al pie: I do have to add that even though in the performance I saw, Arturo had a bedazzled walking boot that was mentioned in the play, it seems he had an injury and that was the reason our performance was shorter. I thought it was great work either way but am curious about what I missed. Maybe some choreos?
Samantha Espino is the Stage Manager. Ni Mi Madre is currently playing until September 6.
