[rating=3] Try to imagine that you have been locked up in prison for a number of years, with little or no contact with family and friends. I know it is hard to imagine for most of us, but take it to the next level. You are being paroled. You are excited and afraid. How will people react to you? How will you react to them? Nancy Garcia Loza’s “Bull: A Love Story” now onstage at Paramount Theatre’s Copley Stage in Aurora as part of their BOLD SERIES, takes us into the life of Bull ( deftly handled by Eddie Martinez) who has just been paroled and has come back to his home, which in reality is the home of his ex-wife and daughter. She has a man residing with her and while Bull thinks of this as “his house”, in reality, it is not.
Smoothly directed by Laura Alcala Baker the play is in two acts with the first act being 40 minutes and the second one hour and 25 minutes. To be honest, although we are covering over a year I believe this could be a 100 minute no intermission script that would keep the story strong for the audience members ( but that is just a thought).
What we witness during these scenes is the development of the family relationship as well as Bull’s transition into normal life ( with all the changes that his years away missed). We also meet his parole officer (Perez again) as well his brother ( another Perez character). I for one did not realize that he played all three of these roles, so he is quite an actor. The tech aspects of the show, other than my remarks about the garage wall idea are right on target. Izumi Inaba’s costumes, Cat Wilson’s lighting, Jeffrey Levin’s sound, Aimee Plant’s props and Liviu Pasare’s projection designs all helped to make the part of the play fit.
This is indeed a “love story”. While it is different than what we are used to, perhaps it is time for us to be exposed to things that are not a part of our normal lives. “Bull: A Love Story” is just that and I think you will truly love the ending.
Wednesdays:1:30pm & 7:00pm
Stage: Copley Theatre as part of the DESTINOS program
8 East Galena Blvd in Aurora
Box Office: 630-896-6666
To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at “Bull: A Love Story”.
More Stories
“In Pursuit Of”
“The Brief Wonderous Life of Oscar Wao” reviewed by Paul Lisnek, Curtain Call Chicago
“The Play That Goes Wrong”