“Alma”

[rating=4]The American Dream! How many people have left their homeland in search of what  is called “The American Dream? I would say thousands. In Benjamin Benne’s “Alma”, he explores a mother and daughter’s look at this. This is a World Premiere play, now on the stage at Rivendell Theatre, but is in reality a production of American Blues Theater.

This is an unusual production , sharply directed by Ana Valazquez and is in fact part of the Destinos program celebrating its 5th year in Chicago. The running time is 70 minutes and is “real time”. In other words, there is only one actual scene on this very special night in the life of Alma ( deftly handled by Jazmin Corona) and her daughter, Angel ( Bryanna Ciera Colon is terrific). Alma had  crossed the border 17 years earlier and had started her search for her American Dream. Her daughter was to be a part of this dream.

Angel is studying for her  SAT exams. She will go to college and bring honor and glory to Alma. This is a study of personalities. Having worked with many Latinos over the years ( newspapers I wrote for, Spanish yellow pages etc)) and saw how they tried to fit in and better the lives of their children. This is where Alma’s heart and soul area, but Angel is unsure that any of this will change her world. Each of these women see a different future . This is the “Trump Era” which of course was the “building the wall” to keep them out. Angel feels that the world will not be as easy as her mother’s dreams.

Alma and Angel are close to each other, but despite te closeness, they are different. Alma still believes that everyone can attain the “dream”. Angel feels that the world is refusing to allow the brown skinned people the rights they are supposed to have. After all, Angel was born in this country, so she is an American and should have the right to succeed.

Those who know the Rivendell located at 5779 Ridge Avenue ( in Chicago), know that this is one of the tiniest storefront theaters. The set (Tara A. Houston) is a small apartment with a kitchen and what appears t be a bedroom and a bathroom. I imagine that Angel has the actual bedroom, because Alma opens up the couch to make her bed during the play. Rachel West’s lighting is perfect for the moods that are set in the story and the sound and music by Eric Backus were right on. I am one of the few reviewers to compliment the props person as I know how difficult it can be to not only find all the items needed, but t make sure they are in place each performance. Great job Verity Neely.

As a father my feelings toward the friction between the two ladies will be different than a Mother might feel, but I know that every generation hopes their children will do better than they did, no mater their culture. This story begins throwing dates at us 1769m 1846, 1916 and then 2016 La Puente Ca- where the action takes place.. You should find this to be a “think piece”!

“Alma” will continue at Rivendell Theatre thru October 22nd with performances as follows:

Thursdays  7:30 p.m.

Fridays  7:30 p.m.

Saturdays  3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Sundays  2:30 p.m.

Tickets range from $25-$45 and are available by calling 773-654-3102

or www.americanbluestheater.com 

To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at “Alma”.