Sleep with the Angels is a Latino Theater Company production. The playwright is Evelina Fernández and the director is José Luis Valenzuela, who is also the LTC artistic director.
Juana (Esperanza América) is hired by Molly (Elia Saldana) to work as a nanny. Juana’s job is to take care of Molly’s kids, 13-year old Alex (Saul Nieto) and his older teen sister Cindy (Victoria Tamez). Molly’s estranged husband, John (Randy Vasquez), comes back home occasionally to check on the kids. Molly’s mom is Rose (Tina D’Marco) and the family gardener is Pablo (Eduardo Roman), who recommended Juana for the job.
This play contains elements of magical realism, a literary form featured in some of the most memorable works by Latin American writers like García Márquez, Rulfo, Allende, Garro, Pietri, and many others. In Fernandez’ script, she uses this element to emphasize the value and contribution of the Latino culture to the US landscape. Juana just arrived from Mexico, bringing some superpowers that touch the lives of the people around her. Her faith in saints and teas is the solution to mostly everything, finding lost jewelry, curing hiccups, taming big mouths, and making your love interest fall for you. The wind also adds to the magic of the story, as Juana explains: “The wind brought me here”. Using Mexican folklore as part of that magical realism, Juana represents the efforts, sacrifices, and hopes of many immigrants who have come to the US in search of a better life.
The play also delves into the challenges of the LGBT community in its search for acceptance. Alex finds himself at an intersection of choosing his own ways or following the expectations of society and his father. Alex connects with Juana almost instantly, as she has her own story to tell.
Cindy experiences an important transformation as a teenager with anger issues. With the help of Juana, Cindy is able to re-connect with her own heritage and funnel her angst into positive energy that lets her see her own worth.
Molly, the busy attorney trying to make partners at the law firm, is an excellent character who represents something not seen very often in media: Chicanas and their lives and struggles. Molly, at the end of the day, has to be the one making the most important choices for the family.
At a turning point in the story, Molly and Juana, two brave women from both sides of the border, have to make decisions that will change their lives forever, as painful as they might be.
The presence of the guitarist (Robert Revell) as a spectral character throughout the play and linked to Juana as revealed at the end, adds a special touch to the story. The music becomes a character on its own (music by Robert Revell and lyrics by Evelina Fernández and Esperanza América).
The stage of The Los Angeles Theatre Center is pretty spectacular, ample with high ceilings. This allowed for an impressive display of dramatic lighting and special effects (Emily Anne MacDonald & Cameron Jaye Mock, Scenic, Costume, Lighting & Projection Design). The sound effects (John Zalewski, sound design) also created an atmosphere that enhanced the emotional aspects of the story.
Valenzuela’s direction had the actors move in and out of the stage in different directions, offering dynamic performances. The blocking of the telenovela scene was specially creative; the actors upstage and downstage center delivered one of the most hilarious moments in the play, much to the delight of the audience.
Sleep with the Angels is a powerful story that presents harsh realities to reminds us of the challenges of the American dream and the paradox of the immigration system. The play also features some of the cultural contributions of immigrants to this vast tapestry called the United States of America.
Sleep with the Angels
Written by Evelina Fernández, directed by José Luis Valenzuela. Starring Esperanza America, Tina D’Marco, Saul Nieto, Robert Revell, Eduardo Roman, Elia Saldana, Victoria Tamez, Randy Vasquez. Produced by Latino Theater Company
The Los Angeles Theatre Center
514 S. Spring Street
Los Angeles CA 90013
Performances: May 27 – June 26
Thursdays at 8 p.m.: June 2, June 9, June 16, June 23
Fridays at 8 p.m.: May 27 (Opening), June 3, June 10, June 17, June 24
Saturdays at 8 p.m.: May 28, June 4, June 11, June 18, June 25
Sundays at 4 p.m.: May 29, June 5, June 12, June 19, June 26
Tickets: https://www.latinotheaterco.org/sleep-with-the-angels
