Too often we take for granted the gifts we are given atbirth, the ability to see and hear, walk and talk, gifts for which there is noprice tag. It is also easy to takeour citizenship for granted. As aprivilege of birth, we don’t always give appropriate appreciation for what ispresented to us without work or effort. Not so, Juan Jose, an immigrant from Mexico, who wants passionately toearn and claim his nation as the United States. He burns with patriotism, he beams with promise, he blossomswith hope.
Until Saturday, October 13, the Yale Repertory Theatre willpresent “American Night The Ballad of Juan Jose” by Richard Montoya at itsUniversity Theatre, 222 York Street, New Haven. To say this unique theatrical experience is irreverentlyinventive, wonderfully wacky and cleverly crazy will give you a small hint toits scope and impact.
Rene Millan is Juan Jose in all his simplicity andcomplexity, his eagerness to learn and become a U. S. citizen and provide forhis wife and new son. Millanbeautifully captures the essence of his character as he completes a journey, not justacross the border from Mexico, but along a time travel packed with historicalhallucinations that are hysterical and heartbreaking.
With the ring of truth at the base of his American timeline,playwright Montoya, who also portrays Juan’s grandfather, uses historical factsto frame the immigrant’s travels. Juan journeys through wars and treaties, epidemics and relocation camps,encounters with Mormons, civil rights workers, drug dealers and, along the way,meets everyone from Teddy Roosevelt to Ben Franklin to Jackie Robinson.
Montoya is nothing if not topical, with references to Nikesneakers, Mohegan Sun Casino, Google, Mitt Romney and even “Fifty Shades ofGrey.” He also provides arefreshing lemon ice on the way as he tries to reunite Juan with his faithfulwife Lydia (Nicole Shalhoub). Youmay need a literary GPS to navigate the landscape but it is well worth theeffort. This comedy, developed byCulture Clash and Jo Bonney, is directed with skill by Shana Cooper and atalented cast, that includes Austin Durant, Felicity Jones, James HiroyukiLiao, Gregory Linington, Deidrie Henry and Richard Ruiz, on and behind thestage.
For tickets ($20-96), call the Yale Rep at 203-432-1234 oronline at www.yalerep.org. Performances are Tuesday to Saturday at8 p.m., with matinees at 2 p.m. Saturdays and selected Wednesdays.
Hop aboard the train to truth with Juan Jose as he crams allthe history of America into his head and heart in his quest for citizenship.
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