TOM TITUS -- Theater Review
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Can it be that eight years have passed since South Coast Repertory
opted to add a second holiday tradition on its Second Stage to the
traditional “Christmas Carol” playing upstairs on the main stage?
And can it be that young Tiffany Ellen Solano -- who doesn’t appear
much older than the 14-year-old girl she’s portraying -- already is in
her third season at the core of “La Posada Magica,” the Latino-flavored
contemporary Christmas story that so skillfully melds hilarity and
heartache? Where does the time go?
At South Coast Rep, it doesn’t go anywhere. Time stands still around
this time of year, and Octavio Solis’ “La Posada” is as timeless in its
own way as the Dickens classic. And the eighth rendition of this tuneful
celebration is every bit as emotionally involving as it was when it was
born back in 1994.
This year’s production, directed for the second time by Diane
Rodriguez, blends veterans like Teresa Velarde, who’s played Mariluz in
every show, with a handful of newcomers who are putting their own
individual touches on these by-now-familiar characters. And the petite
Solano grows stronger and more convincing every year as the teenager
whose Christmas spirit has been quenched by the recent death of her baby
brother.
Solano must wrestle with conflicting emotions in this stellar role,
and she does so beautifully, adding a superb singing voice to a rich and
full characterization. Like Ebenezer Scrooge upstairs, she also must take
a journey of self-discovery, and it grows in magnitude this third time
around.
“La Posada Magica” is a true ensemble show, but this year the
chocoholic ladies played by Carla Jiminez and Denise Blazor seem to stand
out more than usual. Jiminez and Blazor play off each other wonderfully
both as posada comrades and Siamese twin-type widows who chew up the
scenery as adeptly as they do the candies they voraciously devour.
Geoffrey Rivas moves into the role of the posada “jefe,” who’s also a
link with the audience, and handles the dual assignment skillfully. Sol
Castillo again is a hoot as the slightly delinquent Refugio, who kicks up
a storm in his show-stopping solo “I’m Your Lovin’ Santa.”
Velarde, impersonating a very pregnant Virgin Mary, and Danny Bolero
as her discomfited husband add urgent reality to the fantasy theme.
Richard Coca is fine as the high school security guard who doubles as a
deserted father and combines with Castillo to double as a pair of
evildoers with grave intentions.
Musical director Marcos Loya and guitarists Bolero and Lorenzo
Martinez keep the pace humming with their flavorful accompaniment. They,
as well as the cast in general, seem particularly attuned to the audience
this year.
“La Posada Magica” recreates the Christmas story in modern terms with
a quite pronounced Spanish accent, often leaving non-Spanish-speaking
playgoers out of the loop, but never losing them completely. It’s a
wondrous mix of legend, music and fantasy.
F.Y.I.
WHAT: ‘La Posada Magica’
WHERE: South Coast Repertory Second Stage, 655 Town Center Drive,
Costa Mesa
WHEN: Tuesdays through Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 3 and 8 p.m.,
Sundays at 12:30 and 4:30 until Dec. 23.
COST: $19-$34
PHONE: (714) 708-5555.
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