By HEATHER RICH Daily Press Staff Writer
“Sueno” means dream in Spanish. In the new play of the same name currently running at the Morgan- Wixson Theatre, writer Jose Rivera tries to separate our dreams from our waking lives and vice-versa.
The result is entertaining, intense and humorous at times.
The first act finds Basilio, the king of Spain, overwrought with anxiety over the arrival of his son, as astrologers have predicted he will be a tyrannical monarch with little concern for his people. When the queen dies in childbirth, the child’s fate is sealed. Segismundo is sent to a tower and locked away from the outside world — his only human contact is a man named Clotaldo who is actually first counsel to the king. Enter Rosaura, a fiery young woman who is out for revenge against the man who dishonored her, much as her mother was dishonored years before. Armed with her absent father’s sword, she travels toward Basilio’s kingdom with her clownish friend, Clarin. Waiting in the wings to overtake the throne are Astolfo and Estrella, two cousins and relatives of the king who wish to be married and placed in power, since the King has no living heir. So they thought.
The play, directed by Bill Wilday, is based on the Spanish classic, “Life is a Dream” by Pedro Calderon de la Barca. It has been sparingly updated, with contemporary language interrupting some of the most dramatic and intense scenes. Although it makes for a good laugh, it constantly changes the tone of the material, going from humor to drama and back again. Much like, well, a dream might do.
The performances are what really hold this play together. Gabriela Garcia Medina gives beautiful strength and depth as Rosaura — you don’t doubt her will or conviction for a single second. Manfred Hoffer as Clarin provides steady, well-timed humor with wonderful expressions and perfect body language. King Basilio, played by Hadrian Cortez, is compelling as our arrogant, tortured royalty. Eddie Martinez and Valerie McCann adopting the roles of Astolfo and Estrella have exquisite timing and chemistry on stage together. Carlos Linares puts in a stellar performance as Clotaldo, a character you can’t really like but are forced to respect. The role of Segismundo is hyper-performed by Robert Kimmel. He is too intense in an already intense role, almost like he’s forcing it. The script wanders and the show is quite long, running almost a full two and a half hours.
If you really enjoy classical theatre, this show should not be missed. Sueno is playing at the Morgan-Wixson Theatre located at 2627 Pico Blvd. every weekend through May 22. Fridays and Saturdays the show begins at 8 p.m. with a Sunday matinee at 2 p.m. Don’t worry about getting a good seat, the Morgan-Wixson is a beautiful large space and there is not a bad seat in the house. General admission is $15; seniors are $12 and students with valid identification pay $10. For more information, call (310) 828-7519.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on April 30, 2004. Read the original PDF.