Gaytino!

Miracle Theatre Group
June 6 & 7, 2008

Summary:

Show tunes and canciones en español. This remarkable life journey from 50’s East L.A. to New York’s Great White Way in the ’60s and ’70s and back to Hollywood. A father/son relationship and a treasured boyhood friendship drive this autobiographical play through decades of Chicano history and the gay experience.

Labyrinth of Desire

Miracle Theatre Group
May 9 - 31, 2008

Summary:

When Florela’s fiancé decides to leave her to compete with other suitors for the hand of the rich and beautiful Laura, Florela goes undercover to keep her man. Filled with clever deceptions and hilarious disguises, this who’s who comedy of romantic intrigue explores the delightful and essential mystery of love.

Oya: Call the Storm

Miracle Theatre
April 4 - April 26, 2008

Review by peanutduck

Objects transcend tangibility. Mortality: a thick snaking rope; water that purifies only through death. Loneliness: a simple wooden frame. Intensity: red heels, a small purse. Take heed: Oya’s storm, evoked in rhythm of music, gymnastics, and dance, Orishas’ fantastically phantasmal costumes, deceptively spare set, is without mercy on the passionate.

Bodas de Sangre

Miracle Theatre
February 1 - February 23, 2008

Review by The Mad Hatter

Simple production does much to allow emotional power to flow into audience. Bibiana Lorenzo presentational powerhouse. Everyday musical instruments interesting element. Every actor clear voice and speech. Excellent use of space. Chemistry between La Novia and Leonardo wasn’t quite believable but enjoyable nonetheless. Death scene unclear. Really interesting show.

La producción simple hace mucho para permitir energía emocional de fluir en las audiencias. Powerhouse presentational de Bibiana Lorenzo. Instrumentos musicales diarios que interesan el elemento. Cada voz y discurso del claro del agente. Uso excelente del espacio. La química entre el la Novia y Leonardo era no absolutamente believable sino agradable no obstante. Escena de la muerte confusa. Demostración realmente interesante. (translated by Babelfish.com)

Zapatista

The Miracle Theatre Group
January 11 - 19, 2008

Review by peanutduck

A muddled, at times incomprehensible, after-school illustration of the powerful Zapatista post-modern revolution, which left me '[un]enlightened,' without urge to 'take up the call' of the movement. Given that words serve as the Zapatistas' proverbial swords, it is fortunate that this playwright was not called upon to forge their weapons.

La Carpa del Ausente

Miracle Theatre Group

Posted by Steve

Day of the Dead revue is delightful, fascinating surprise. Structure based on WWII USO show (harmony trio, goofy comedy shtick) opens out to include astonishing, acrobatic dance, lovely Mexican song, heartfelt narrative. Director Cuomo forms tight ensemble work while spotlighting performers' unique talents. Don't speak Spanish? Me neither. Go anyway.

Mariela in the Desert

Photo: Stephanie Davis

Miracle Theatre Group
September 21, 2007; closes October 13, 2007

Direction, lighting and set all very well integrated. Olga Sanchez’s first full appearance on a Portland stage does not disappoint, though she has much more talent than what is required by the material at hand. At heart a mystery, Mariela works fine but ultimately lacks something – an idea, tone, echo?

Miracle Theatre Group's 2007-2008 Season

Miracle Theatre Group's 2007-2008 Season

Mariela in the Desert
La Carpa del Ausente: El Día de los Muertos Festival
ZAPATISTA: The Legend of Subcomandante Marcos
Bodas de Sangre
Oyá: Call the Storm
The Labyrinth of Desire

Rosalba y los Llaveros

Miracle Theatre Group
Guest review by JM posted April 13, 2007; closes April 28, 2007

twisty extended-family sitcom/soap opera, performed with energy and aplomb by fun, high-pitch ensemble. noteworthy: lights, detailed set, performances by Reyes and del Campo. critiqueworthy: overlong script doesn’t know when to end, occasional overdone moments. suggestion for non-Spanish speakers: abandon subtitles and just watch energetic, honest performances. an engaging, entertaining evening.

Sonia Flew

Miracle Theatre
Posted by Frenchglen February 2, 2007; closes February 24, 2007

Several uneven performances prevent this ambitious story from truly taking flight. Start and stop American living room realism of Act I yields to deeper, more continuous emotions in Cuban second half. Sudden plot turns, reveals, and time travel occasionally distract. John San Nicolas and Courtney Davis provide needed energy, presence.

Frida, un retablo

Teatro Milagro
Posted by Frenchglen January 14, 2007; closes January 20, 2007

Straightforward consideration of Frida Kahlo’s life and work. One act show moves smoothly and quickly through key events and persons. Simple but pleasing setup of young and old Frida in dialogue frames traditional narrative. Minimal set keeps the focus on characters and world they create through language and color. Warm.

La Carpa Calavera: El Día de los Muertos Festival

Miracle Theatre Group/Bellas Artes
October 28, 2006; closes November 12, 2006

A guest post from Winston Goodbody:

Remember me. Miracle’s annual Day of the Dead celebration combines dance, music, mime and slapstick to probe and savor contemporary dilemmas of immigration, belonging, cultural continuity, exclusion. Mostly shorter skits tied together against a linking backdrop narrative. All audience ages engaged. Closing moments shine wonderful, tender light on night’s message.

The Road to Xibalbá

Miracle Theatre Group
September 21, 2006; closes October 14, 2006

A guest post from Winston Goodbody:

Visually stunning expedition into Mayan jungle brings back artifacts of
ancient belief system, but spiritual relevance for moderns only partially
reconstructed. Lush compositions of color and sound rival and at times
overpower characters’ spoken story. Traditional Greek chorus of gods
provides continuity between acts in this straight ahead dramatic structure.

Clean

Miracle Theatre Group
May 12, 2006; closes June 3, 2006

An excitingly defiant, surprisingly romantic black comedy. Well-trafficked, crisp clip discovers generous humor that occasionally flattens dramatic nuance. How do fascinating-in-their-own-right subplots forward central thread? What’s role of Nuyorican culture? Of note: leading actor Kurt Conroyd’s growth; Paul McCullough’s rich, multidimensional lighting; Mark LaPierre’s pushy, plucky musical compositions, sound design.

Ardiente Paciencia

El Grupo Milagro
9 de abril, 2006; termina 29 de abril, 2006
Presentado en español (con los supertítulos ingleses el jueves y domingos)

La mejor parte de esta obra cariñosa era cómo fácilmente su reparto elocuente hizo una persona común y verdadera del gran Pablo Neruda, mientras que nunca duda en su reverencia de sus poesía y políticas. Todavía, metáforas hermosas a un lado, yo quisiera caracteres más profundos e historia más detallada.

Men on the Verge 2

Miracle Theatre Group
February 3, 2006; closes February 25, 2006

Andrés Alcalá is probably the most versatile actor on Portland stages today, transforming his ductile voice and body to fully inhabit new characters while keeping each deeply rooted in integrity. On top of that, Alcalá is just out-and-out funny. Exceptional set and lighting from Mark Loring and Peter West, respectively.

Mi Vida Gitana

Teatro Milagro
January 12, 2006; closes January 21, 2006

(Preview.) American military school dropout joins mother in Spain and begins rocky courtship with gypsy heritage. Small cast challenged to fill story’s big-picture ambitions because script, though fluidly bilingual, only sketches the outline. Could’ve benefited from more paint, smaller canvas and wider application of those colorful beatbox and flamenco moments.

La Noche Eterna

Bellas Artes / Miracle Theatre Group
October 29, 2005; closes November 13, 2005

Like a lot of familiar holiday fare that seeks to celebrate tradition, the script’s story and humor were obvious. Juxtaposition of romantic tragedy, comic relief could have been craftier. What made it still work, however, was each performer’s simple, heartfelt warmth and honesty: sweet without being overindulgent. Attractive production elements.

Elliot: A Soldier’s Fugue

Miracle Mainstage
September 24, 2005; closes October 15, 2005

Slow, fuzzy start; clear, compelling conclusion. Challenging nonlinear, poetic script more about what doesn’t happen than what does. Consequently, Elliot got me thinking, afterward confronting my own veteran. Impressively intimate, straight-talking portrayal by John San Nicolas, strikingly poetic compassion from Marjorie Tatum. Gorgeous scenery, lights, sound by Loring, West, Ortega.

Men on the Verge 2 (The Self-Esteem Files)

[workshop production]
Miracle Theatre
July 15, 2005; workshop production closes July 16, 2005
Full production runs February 3-25, 2006

Andy Alcalá is a comic virtuoso in playwright Guillermo Reyes’ new menagerie of gay Latino men. On-script workshop didn’t slow down Alcalá’s spasmodic caricatures that pointedly went (as audience commented) “beyond the verge” without losing sight of reality. With a few more reigned-in moments, full production’s bound to hit home.