Cheers and Jeers

Lucha Teotl

If you were walking past the Owen venue of the Goodman Theatre last night, you might’ve been surprised, even shocked, to hear the cheers and jeers, applauding and booing, coming from inside. Generally one only hears polite clapping and, sometimes, laughter during a play. But then this isn’t your typical Goodman Theatre production. This new play, co-written and directed by Christopher Llewyn Ramirez and Jeff Colangelo, borders on what we might call performance art.

I’m told that the sounds heard are akin to the reactions by Elizabethan audiences to Shakespeare’s plays, produced in London’s Ye Olde Globe Theatre. But the difference is that this play, which is contemporary, is about family honor, devotion and integrity, but built around the world of Mexican professional wrestling. This 90-minute one-act places the Goodman audience ringside around a life-size wrestling arena. What unfolds is the tale of a gutsy, inexperienced wrestler rising to prominence in the profession of lucha libre. 

Young Huitzi, or “the hummingbird,” attempts to dethrone and unmask Tezca, the reigning champ, who’s about to retire from the sport. But the youngster has much to learn as he’s defeated and humiliated by his elder. To his rescue comes Coyol, the bombastic and talented diva queen of the ring, who offers to mentor the up-and-coming wrestler. But when she suddenly decides that Huitzi is too arrogant to be taught anything, Coyol suddenly becomes his arch-enemy.

Huitzi is beautifully portrayed with genuine amiability and earnest enthusiasm by classical actor and athlete, Joey Ibanez. Also serving as the production’s Wrestling Coordinator, Luis “Aski” Palomino not only plays the proud and profane Tezca, but two other professional wrestlers, Xolotl and Macuil. As Coyol, Chicago-based pro wrestler and actor, Paloma “Starr” Vargas, is as feisty and fractious as they come. Ms. Vargas dominates the stage every time she appears, and her body slams and gut punches can be heard and almost felt by the entire audience.

Two other robust and able-bodied athlete/actors each play several different wrestling competitors. Jamey Feshold, most often seen at Milwaukee Rep and other regional theaters, plays Opotchli and Xochi; agile and multitalented Molly Hernandez returns to the Goodman following her stellar performance in “American Mariachi” playing both Quetzacoatl and Techalotl. The actors get to display both their dramatic gifts and their physical talents in this production.

As part of the supporting cast, two talented actors emerge to play the television talking heads, the Comentarista. Rinska Carrasco, with her seductive swishing scarlet fans, is an absolute spitfire, while commentator Ramon Camin does his level best in keeping up the banter with his colleague. Isabella Abel-Suarez and Cisco Lopez earn much credit for their expertise as roving Camera Operators, always focusing on the closeups needed to bring the wrestling match in view for the audience. Hosting the event is charismatic, comical and comely Victor Marana as the Maestro de Ceremonia; and Jean Claudio, who is sometimes pretty hilarious, often finds himself dangerously wedged in between the wrestlers as El Referee.

In addition to skillfully directing this production, which must’ve been like keeping a dozen plates spinning in the air, Ramirez and Colangelo are ably assisted by a staff of brilliant creatives. William Carlos Angulo choreographs the show, often to the original music and sound design (notice the occasional crunching of bones!) by Michael Huey. A gorgeous set design by Anna Louizos not only features a real wrestling ring, but is set off by an impressive Aztec Temple, through which the wrestlers enter and exit. Suspended above is a working, 15-foot Aztec Calendar, as well as a huge television screen, onto which the Camera Operators can project their work. Additionally, Michael Salvatore Commendatore and Rasean Davonte Johnson have designed some lovely projections. The entire production is awash in light and bathed in special effects, courtesy of lighting designer Jason Lynch. And the production would be nothing without the wildly entertaining and chromatically dazzling costumes by Nicole Alvarez.

This production is but one part of Destinos, the 6th Chicago International Latino Theater Festival. The event runs September 28-November 12 and plays in venues all over Chicagoland. For more information about the entire festival, be sure to pick up a brochure in the Goodman lobby, or go to www.clata.org/destinos.

No matter their age or interest in sports, audiences will find themselves inexplicably drawn into this heroic story and the melodramatics of the play. But despite all the laughter and theatrics, this is a piece of performance art about friendship, family honor and integrity. Before patrons enter the Owen, they’ll have an opportunity to make signs to raise aloft in support of their favorite wrestling stars. Theatergoers are encouraged to clap, yell, dance in the aisles and even cheer and jeer their chosen athletes, as they inspire them on toward victory.  

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented September 29-October 29 by the Goodman Theatre, in the Owen, 170 N. Dearborn, Chicago.

Tickets are available at the Goodman box office, by calling 312-443-3800 or by visiting www.goodmantheatre.org.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found at www.theatreinchicago.com.