“Y Tu Abuela, Where is She? Part 1”

Recommended ***  It may sound strange, but scientists are working on technology that will enable people to make determinations on their unborn children. Yes, selection of genes so that we would be able to create the exact child we want. Over the years there have been many horror movies that took us down that path, and now it may be happening. In a new play, in fact a World Premiere that has made it to Chicago as part of the Destino’s 2021 Chicago International Latino Theater Festival, we see what may happen. The name of the play, “Y Tu Abuela, Where is She” and they add the words part 1 ( to let us know the story is not really over) written by Nelson Diaz-Marcano.

What we have in this story is a young couple, Adelina ( Gabriela Castillo) and Xavier ( Adriel Irizarry). They are Puerto Rican’s but they consider themselves bi-racial. as he appears white, and she black. They have been accepted into a program that will allow them to modify their genes in a yet to be conceived baby. They  are excited about this, although Xavier, who has just lost his mother is sorry that she would never know her grandchild.

As the story progresses, we also meet Xavier’s cousin Carlos ( played to perfection by Gino Marconi) who doesn’t agree that you can create the child of your dreams. As a Gay man, who has come out, he feels that we “are what we are” and we should just live our lives. He was raised in the same house as Xavier and his sister, Adriel ( Angela Townsend) and is close to them.

What is of most importance to them, it seems, is the skin color. Xavier, never knowing how one feels being treated as “black” feels that their child should be “Black” and learn to deal with the problems connected. Both his sister and Adalina know the problems that come with the skin color and the kinky hair and try to reason with him.

While the story is primarily about the skin color, what we really get into is the other problems that this couple have. Their relationship has other issues to deal with that have been back-burnered while they have been waiting for this acceptance. As we learn more, I can see that there very well could be a part two. Racism and alcoholism are key issues.

Directed by Xavier M. Custodio on a set designed by Diamantina Sanchez, we feel as if the fourth wall has been removed “twice” as the audience sits on three sides and is quite close. There is another character who I believe is the spirit of Xavier’s recently deceased mother ,Abuela (translates to Grandmother) The “Figure ” is played by Wanda Baez. While she does not speak to us, her presence is felt ( choreography  by Yarlana Baralt Torres) .

The show is less than two hours with a ten minute intermission and will continue at The Den Theatre located at 1331 N. Milwaukee Avenue through  October 24th

Performances are as follows:

Thursdays  7:30 p.m.

Fridays   7:30 p.m.

Saturdays  7:30 p.m.

Sundays  4:30 p.m.

Tickets range from $30 and can be purchase at www.thedentheatre.com.

This is a production of  Vision Latino Theatre Company  To learn more, visit www.visionlatino.com

To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at “Y Tu Abula? Where is She?”

The production has some Spanish language, but watching the story is not affected by this. Due to its content it is suggested for  ages 15 and older.