OnStage Playhouse is presenting the San Diego premiere of “Our Lady of the Tortilla” by Luis Santeiro with a few local twists. Set in Chula Vista, the play makes local references, including those to The Star-News and La Prensa, the refgion’s two most well-known newspapers. Performances are in the theater’s downtown Chula Vista location at 291 Third Ave. through April 4.
The Cruz family is volatile even in the best of times. Nelson brings home his gringa love interest, his mother Dahlia obsesses about retrieving her husband from his new girlfriend, and brother Eddie shows up in a van with his failed life and unwelcome girlfriend.
But the real pandemonium is caused by sweet, long-suffering Dolores, Dahlia’s sister, when she sees the face of the Holy Virgin in a tortilla. This miracle brings hordes of believers and reporters to camp out on the Cruz’s lawn to await further miracles. As the family struggles with beliefs and conflicts, old and new, the endurance of family love is revealed to be the real miracle.
Each member of the cast is delightful. Sandra Ruiz portrays the religious aunt with true insight into her character. Roman Rodriguez and André Gonzalez are sincere in their roles of misguided yet loving sons. Dahlia (Danielle Levin) is comically indignant about the trials of her life. And Beverly (Lauren Yowell) offers the fresh outlook of someone from a different culture.
Director Bryant Hernandez has put together a humorous, well-paced comedy. He states, “This is not a play about a Latino family; it’s about the power of a miracle that unites a family. We don’t always need a miracle to open our eyes. We just need to open our hearts and talk to one another.”
Three audience members, calling themselves las tres amigas, thoroughly enjoyed the play. Candy Silva commented, “It’s authentic and hilarious.” Her friend Joy Reyna mentioned that the setting could have been the home of her aunt or grandmother. Irma Cabral agreed with her friends. She added, “The tia (aunt) was great, the center of tension.”
The producer is Teri Brown. Reserve tickets by calling (619) 422-RSVP (7787) or online at www.onstageplayhouse.org. OnStage Playhouse is located on historic Third Avenue in downtown Chula Vista, within walking distance of many restaurants for pre- and post-show dining. Parking is available.
