First things first, what a great start to a story that, in my opinion, really needs to be told. The cast is insanely talented and I think they did a spectacular job bringing life to this project.
For context, I am in my mid/late 30’s, male, multiracial and have had a successful career as a clothing maker. I have spent the better part of the last 7 years working in costume shops where the staff has been primarily made up of latinx women. Over time I have gotten to know these women and have heard their stories, their struggles, what they went through to get where they are, how tough they have had to be in order to come to America and survive. As well, over the years and solely through chance, I have found myself to have friends, who I now consider family and vise versa, who are not only latinx but come from the world that is attempting to be described in this show. Like my relationships with the latinx women in the costume shops I, over time, have learned of the worlds in which my friends’ come from, their experience as a first generation American, their immigration story, the effect their documentation status has had on them and/or their family. I have even spent time in my friends’ family homes, spent time with their Spanish only speaking parents, eaten food made by mothers and fathers who’s sacrifices and bravery have paved the way for their children to have better lives than they did.
With what I have learned in mind there were several things that, as an “outsider” to this world, really stood out to me. The first being the overall tone of this particular production. Putting aside any comparison to the film, I personally felt that not only was the tone annoyingly catered to a white audience but I found it to be disrespectful to the truth of this very real story. If one is going to take the time and energy to bring a project of this subject matter to life, go there. Don’t make it a joke. While the emotional and “real” moments were certainly touching it seemed clear that there was a desire to make this story palatable for an audience who has no firsthand, let alone secondhand, knowledge of this world. If this story is going to be told, tell it. Full stop. That being said, light heartedness and humor is certainly an element that should be included. However in my experience that element comes with the culture in how they speak to one another. The harsh reality of their lives find a reprieve in jokes made about themselves and at the expense of one another while at the same time not cheapening or disregarding their truths.
The other thing I found to be frustrating was the title of the show in relation to its content. The scene where the work room gets so hot they strip down to their undergarments seemed to be an afterthought rather than a central theme or through line. If you are going to keep this script, change the title. As of now the title does not serve this version.
Another thought is in regards to the song Blood Thicker Than Mole. Never have I ever heard any latinx person speak about mole the way this song would lead an “outsider” to believe. It seemed gimicky and untrue.
While I understand the show’s desire to walk the line between a Spanish speaking audience and not, I sometimes found the use of the Spanish language to be not only contrived but also potentially harmful or a hindrance to the story being told. As someone who does not speak Spanish but has picked up quite a bit through spending so much time in and around the latinx community I was able to not only understand most of what was being talked about but also understand the references made that a white audience would simply not get. It was as though in the moments when the the Spanish language was used it flew the moment over the heads of the audience members who need to hear this story most. If it were not for my personal experience I would have missed out on various moments that really added character and nuance to this story.
Lastly, as I am in my mid/late 30’s I have a very vague memory of what life was like in the 1980’s. Unfortunately the world of the late 80’s was severely understated in this production to the point of unrecognition and time period confusion. It was as though the year 1987 was pasted on a contemporary mindset and nuance without actually moving the audience backwards in the time. There is a tone, an energy and a mindset to the 80’s that was not present. Obviously there were references made in regards to politics/politicians/etc. that an older audience would understand. However, making reference to a time gone by does not instantaneously transport an audience nor does it keep them.
With all the above being said I tip my hat to the cast,crew and creative team of this production. You should all be incredibly proud of the work you have done and I look forward to seeing a new and improved version of this powerful story on a Broadway stage.
