Marcela Paguaga, William Guevara, Gaby Tortoledo, Mariana Mondragon (Photos by Magnus Stark)
“Laughs in Spanish,” a funny, moving, layered play set in modern-day Miami and lasting about 80 intermission-less minutes, is finally onstage where it belongs. Specifically, Miami native Alexis Scheer’s comedy, which is presented in English with a sprinkling of Spanish, is running through Sunday, June 23 in a comical, energetic, and believable Florida premiere production at GableStage. It’s the same professional, nonprofit theater company where Scheer grew up attending student matinees.
The play, which last year experienced its world premiere production at Colorado’s Denver Center for the Performing Arts, is part crime-comedy, part mystery, part telenovela, and part love letter to Miami.
Under Victoria Collado’s vibrant direction, GableStage’s production at times proceeds at a rapid pace befitting a sitcom or farce. And while the short running time leaves little room for character development, depth, or nuance, the actors mostly succeed at convincingly portraying vibrant and relatable characters painted with broad brushstrokes. In addition, under Collado’s direction, a sense of urgency among the characters is palpable.
Mariana Mondragon, Gaby Tortoledo (Photos by Magnus Stark)
The quintet of actors comprising the cast are Mariana Mondragon, Marcela Paguaga, William Guevara, Gaby Tortoledo, and Magali Trench. Actually, a sixth performer appears in the show as a DJ. Different performers alternate in that role. During the reviewed performance on opening night, Ernesto K. Gonzalez enthusiastically played the part.
Come expecting a raucous party-like environment, complete with Latin music in between scenes. Chances are, you will feel like clapping along and dancing.
When the play begins, we’re in an art studio in the artsy Miami neighborhood of Wynwood. It’s Art Basel time. This is a multi-day celebration in the Magic City during which leading galleries from five continents show significant works by masters of modern and contemporary art, as well as emerging artists.
When “Laughs in Spanish” begins, Studio Six is ready for the festivities. That is, except for just one problem; there are no art pieces to display or sell. Somebody stole the artwork by a fictional famous Latino male artist whose exhibit was to occupy the limelight.
While the theft is unfortunate, it paves the way for intern Carolina to showcase her artwork. But Mariana isn’t entirely sold on Carolina, who is working toward her MFA in painting while interning at the gallery. Can Carolina convince her boss to change her mind and let her display her paintings? And who stole the artwork?
Gaby Tortoledo, William Guevara, Magali Trench, Marcela Paguaga (Photos by Magnus Stark)
As though the theft were not enough, Mariana’s estranged movie star mother, Estella, barrels into the gallery “like a hurricane.” Estella’s past has come back to haunt her, and she needs her daughter’s help. But will Mariana lift a finger to help her mom, whom she hasn’t seen seemingly in ages?
“Laughs in Spanish” is a loaded play for one lasting just 80 minutes. The piece is about language, culture, second chances, mother-daughter relationships, the way we speak differently to different groups of people, the sacrifices artists make for their art, movie stars’ ability to attract large crowds, the need for minority artists to gain recognition, and the challenges of art salespeople. In addition, the play asks “does an artist ever know they’re a real artist, or do they have to wait for someone else to call them that?” Also, the play celebrates many artists’ ability to improvise when it seems like the show cannot go on due to circumstances beyond their control.
But before “Laughs in Spanish” dives into its many areas of focus, the playwright deftly establishes at the beginning that we are about to experience a comedy. Truly, the opening line has got to be among the funniest and longest expressions of frustration that you are likely to witness in a play. In particular, the line, which Mariana speaks as her reaction to the theft, features a mix of English and Spanish words with expletives thrown in.
After the long, vulgar opening line, the playwright calls for a pause in her script. And in GableStage’s production, there is a break that is long enough to set up the next comedic line. It is deft comic timing.
“Is that your official statement?” police officer Juan asks Mariana following her tirade.
Gaby Tortoledo, Mariana Mondragon, William Guevara, Marcela Paguaga, Mariana Mondragon (Photos by Magnus Stark)
Miami audiences may remember Scheer from Zoetic Stage’s 2022 production of the playwright’s funny and mind exercising piece, “Our Dear Dead Drug Lord.” In the piece, Scheer depicts a group of teenage girls in Miami performing a séance to summon the spirit of Columbian drug lord Pablo Escobar (1949-1993). The séance is essentially a primal cry from youth living in the not-too-distant past, perhaps trying to bring attention to themselves.
While “Our Dear Dead Drug Lord’s” premise may be funny, Scheer deals with serious themes in the play without getting too heavy handed.
With “Laughs in Spanish,” Scheer once again starts with a humorous premise but weaves in serious themes while nicely balancing comedy and drama. Her dialogue is snappy and multiple lines produce laughter.
“You go through assistants faster than Leo DiCaprio goes through teen models,” Mariana says to her mother.
The play’s title stems from a sweet but not overly sentimental moment in the piece. Specifically, Estella tells police officer Juan, Carolina’s boyfriend, about a time when her daughter was little. Estella taught her daughter Spanish by asking her to identify and then say things in Spanish.
Gaby Tortoledo, William Guevara (Photos by Magnus Stark)
“I’d point to myself and she would say ‘Mommy,’ and then I would say ‘en Espanol’ and she’d say ‘mami.’ And then I would laugh and laugh, and she would say, ‘no, mami, no! Laugh in Spanish!”
To which Juan replies: “How do you laugh in Spanish?”
As a matter of fact, that’s a good question. When it comes time for the actors to laugh in Spanish, they produce a hearty sound that doesn’t seem much different from laughing in English or any other language. Perhaps the playwright’s message is that laughter is a universal language.
While the piece is compelling and humorous, it could shed fat even with just 80 minutes of runtime. Indeed, one love affair in the play seems extraneous, while another doesn’t have enough time to receive much weight.
The romance that Scheer could drop without ruining the play is between Carolina and Juan, her policeman boyfriend who is investigating the theft. The romance between them is sweet, but it seems superfluous for this play.
Magali Trench, Marcela Paguaga, Gaby Tortoledo, William Guevara, Mariana Mondragon (Photos by Magnus Stark)
Meanwhile, another romance doesn’t receive as much weight as it possibly could. It is between Mariana and Jenny, her movie star mother’s assistant. In what may seem like a wild coincidence, Jenny knows Mariana from their days at school.
On another note, a long monologue toward the end of the play is confusing. Estella delivers it, perhaps as a way to make up for all the times that she wasn’t there for her daughter. Basically, the character claims to have seen God. However, during part of the monologue, Estella seems to apologize to her daughter for being absent in her life.
While subtitles for the play’s Spanish parts would be nice, it’s hard to find too much fault with GableStage’s production. For instance, while portions of the production play out like a sitcom or farce, Collado balances that with a slower pace during intimate, contemplative, and touching scenes. The director gives such moments time and space to truly affect us.
Acting wise, Tortoledo looks too young to play Estella, a mother with a grown-up daughter. But Tortoledo imbues her character with a melodramatic and confident aura that seems appropriate for Estella. In addition, as Tortoledo portrays her, you sense a desperation in the character. After all, she’s in trouble and needs help. However, Tortoledo’s Estella also seems sincere in her desire to reconnect with her daughter.
Meanwhile, Mondragon, as Mariana, is believably frustrated and angry following the theft. Mondragon also lends her character an independent streak and exasperation at her mother’s sudden entrance into her life after years of estrangement.
Gaby Tortoledo (Photos by Magnus Stark)
Guevara carries a pleasant disposition as Juan, the policeman who is Carolina’s boyfriend. At times, the actor is appropriately commanding, but he doesn’t resort to stereotypes about police officers. In fact, if you think about it, it can be hard to pull for Juan. After all, he uses his job for his convenience by applying his siren in his car when he wants to quickly drive somewhere with his girlfriend.
Speaking of her, Paguaga makes Carolina an ambitious young woman who just wants her chance to shine in the limelight. And Trench is bubbly as Jenny, Estella’s assistant.
Scenic designer Frank J. Oliva’s colorful set carries a hip flavor and includes inviting artwork by Miami artist Diana “Didi” Contreras.
Similarly, lighting designer Tony Galaska’s work includes splashes of color befitting a modern, party atmosphere. Galaska also properly includes otherworldly lighting as well as realistic lighting when necessary.
Gaby Tortoledo, William Guevara, Ernesto K Gonzalez, Mariana Mondragon, Marcela Paguaga, Mariana Mondragon (Photos by Magnus Stark)
The actors wear Gema Valdes’s modern-looking, character appropriate costumes. For instance, Estella wears a silver shining outfit befitting her radiant, glowing personality.
“Laughs in Spanish” may be a Miami play, but its universal themes and surprises should satisfy audiences from all over. For now, though, it’s running in the playwright’s backyard. And she’s probably smiling as a result.
IF YOU GO
- WHAT: “Laughs in Spanish” by Alexis Scheer
- WHEN: Through June 23.
- WHERE: GableStage Theatre Company, 1200 Anastasia Ave. in Coral Gables.
- TICKETS: $45, $50, $60, $65. Streaming tickets are $30. For more information, go to www.gablestage.org or call, (305) 445-1119.
- LIVE STREAMING: While the company is presenting live, in-person performances of “Laughs in Spanish,” patrons can choose to instead stream the show.
