“LUCHA TEOTL”

Later on , wrestling changed. I know that when I took my son to wrestling matches in the 1980’s, he could see that they were more actors than fighters, and people who watch TV wresting like “Raw” see moves that would never be used in what we know as wrestling.

This play is unique and as an audience member, you will find yourself cheering and or booing and in some cases, both. When you arrive, you will get an opportunity to design and draw a sign to take with you to your seat. During each of the matches in the play, you will find yourself holding up your sign as well as laughing, clapping, rooting on or booing each of the wrestlers in this story. The story is about family, honor, tradition and redemtion. While it is a part of Destinos’, it is being presented in English with a touch of Spanish.

The theater has a wrestling ring right in front of the stage and during the 90 minutes we will watch a number of matches. Mano vs Mano, mixed team, and then Mano vs woman! The cast members are wrestlers and circus performers and it shows. They are all over the mat and in one sequence leave the theater itself and fight in the halls backstage. Since we are at a match that is being “televised” we have camera operators (Cisco Lopez and Isabella Abel-Suarez) who seem to be there for that purpose, but are truly more than just camera operators.

The announcers or sportscaster are seated on stage right. Ramon Camin and Rinska Carrasco are solid in every way. If any of you have ever watched a “football” game on Spanish TV, you will see that this couple is just like the announcers on those sports show.

The cast is terrific. Jean Claudio ( he is the ref and is as athletic and agile as any of the wrestlers), Isabel Espin,  Alexandrya Salazar, Jamey Feshold, Molly Hernandez .Joey Ibanez ( his Huitzi is terrific), Master of ceremonies, Victor Marana, was perfect in every way, Luis “Aski” Palomino is quite the wrestler and Coyol ( an amzing performance by) Paloma “Starr” Vargas, who had to be an experienced wrestler. The fights are terrific . I sat in the first row so when the first fight left the ring, I thought I was going to have company. These folks are good! In fact, not good, GREAT!

While you are laughing and hooting and hollering, you will also get some messages. Pride is important. Family is important! That’s what this story is all about and with the help of the music and the lighting (Jason Lynch) as well as the sound and original music (Michael Huey) on a set designed by Anna Louizos, you will feel that you are in an arena, not a theater. The costumes (Nicole Alvarez) are up to snuff with the crazy stuff you see on “Raw” and the wrestling coordination (maybe choreography works better) was handled by Luis “Aski” Palomino, who is truly magical to watch.

“LUCHA TEOTL” will continue at The Goodman Theatre’s “Owen” thru October 29th with performances as follows: