“Parachute Men” | Victory Gardens Theater
3.5 out of 4 stars
(originally published on Chicago Stage Standard)
(from left) Eddie Martínez, J. Salome Martínez and Tommy Rivera-Vega. Photo credit: Joel Maisonet
Christmas means music, food and family. Sounds ideal right? Not for these three brothers. In its world premiere, Parachute Men illustrates the true underbelly of resolved turmoil. On Christmas Eve, three brothers are reunited five years after their mother’s death. It becomes clear that the pecking order has changed and the battle begins to see who can take that baby step into manhood first. Wonderfully written and structurally compelling, playwright Mando Alvarado reveals how much can change with unresolved emotions in this dark family drama sprinkled with brotherly humor.
(from left) Eddie Martínez, Tommy Rivera-Vega and J. Salome Martínez
A commanding and intense example of the inner complexities tragedy can create. Each character combats the weight of moving forward after the matriarch’s passing. This singular event forms barriers, yet binds them together. Alvarado’s exploration of grief is raw, taboo and emotionally dynamic. The work floats effortlessly with this broken family’s coming to terms. Under the direction of Ricardo Gutierrez, the production brings tender reality and conflict to life. Intimate comfortable interaction on stage is crucial for a play so wrought with mental growth and internal struggle to bloom well. Portraying grief is far more than tears and Gutierrez knocks it out of the park! The scene transitioning was seamless. As if watching vignettes, three spotlights transform the physical space to poignant memory. A specific event told from three different people individually suffering. Richard Norwood executes each movement of the work wonderfully as we explore the psyche of the three brothers. Their relationships told through moments of realization. Growing up emotionally together, bathed in the light of the house they grew up in.
An azure sky sits above the pink stucco walls of a house immortalizing a mother’s touch with every school picture lining the walls. The feminine setting cradling the characters in a womb of grief and bitter self- destruction. A beautiful contrast to the chaos living inside of it. Dark blue of nights and warm yellow lamplights contrast internal vs. external settings. A stark white billboard for a burger joint sits nearby. The environment of Texas’ western frontier subtly adds to the all encompassing understanding of this family. Raul Abrego’s attention to detail in color schemes and set design resonates the concept of loss visually on stage as the characters navigate a world without a mother.
(from left) Tommy Rivera-Vega is Eli and J. Salome Martínez plays Eric.
What really stood out in this performance by far was the depth of J. Salome Martinez acting as the eldest brother, Eric. On the surface, everything is a joke or can be handled by a hand job. Sexually stifled and emotionally frustrated, Martinez provokes an empathic gut wrenching performance. The pure detail down to clapping in frustration is something that culturally speaks volumes. Siblings fighting and tripping over each others words is the unrehearsed natural fire that this play exactly needs to bring this from stage to heart. Another character that stood out was Eli, the youngest brother, portrayed by Tommy Rivera-Vega. Eli is suggested to have a form of Aspergers, a seemingly daunting role due to the constant physical acting. Rivera-Vega brings range and depth to respectably illustrating the condition, which requires so much effort in key traits, such as repetitive speech and a challenge with nonverbal communication. The attention to detail in illustrating common coping mechanisms are found with Eli’s legos scattered about the house, the tape recorder used to record potential number 1 hits, and headphones to aid in the desire for quiet and silence. As Eli is a big music fan, music is a constant theme throughout as Blink 182 and christmas music plays intermittently. Sonic tidal waves ripple throughout as a cultural reflection of constant sound and life. Ever present as seen with the guitar placed on the wall.
Founded in 1990, Teatro Vista is Chicago’s largest professional Latinx theater company, who will be hosting its 26th season at Victory Garden Theater. With a Latinx lens, Teatro Vistra enhances the theater world one play at a time. The company provides work and professional advancement opportunities for Latinx theater artists. Recently celebrated as one of “Chicago’s Cultural Leaders” by the Arts & Business Council of Chicago, Teatro Vista reflects a diverse ensemble made up of multi-generational, multi-ethnic, and multi-disciplinary artists. The culturally focused work touches on tender familial struggles and growing together after tragedy. An empathetically rich story, Parachute Men does not disappoint!
Performances run through October 16th, 2016. For more information and tickets please visit www.TeatroVista.org or call Victory Gardens box office 773-871-3000. More information is available at www.theaterinchicago.com
