Our Lady of the Underpass
By Tanya Saracho
Directed by Sandra Marquez
Produced by 16th Street Theater
& Teatro Vista, theatre with a view
Moving, well acted remount is worth visiting
“These Catholics,” a jogger shouts, “They’re like, ‘Look at my grilled cheese! It’s Jesus! Call a press conference!”
16th Street Theater and Teatro Vista smartly remounted a terrific play that I missed the first time around. Too bad for me since Our Lady of the Underpass is a wonderful theatrical event.
The remount of the critically-acclaimed Jeff-Nominated 2009 production takes place at the 5-year anniversary of the Holy sighting under the bridge. The same week that Rome announced a new Pope, a woman driving home from work spotted an image of the Virgin Mary on a discolored wall of the Fullerton Avenue underpass. Inspired by real life interviews, playwright Tanya Saracho renders the voices of those who were drawn to that wall, exploring issues of faith and desire in present day Chicago.
Saracho’s writing is rich in character development and motivation. Filled with bittersweet humor and insights int the nature of spiritualism and personal faith, Our Lady of the Underpass complete us much like the ‘vision’ that drew so many.
Told in a series of monologues, we meet an assortment of visitors to the visionary sighting icon under the Fullerton Avenue underpass in Chicago.
Tony, The Deacon (Gabriel Juan Ruiz in a rivetingly scary performance of a religious psychopath) is the self-appointed guide to the make-shift shrine. Ruiz emerges as a lunatic in a terrific truthful performance.
Charin Alvarez is subtle effective as Ofelia, a lonely maiden from Mexico and a factory worker and guardian of a handicapped boy. Alverez is deeply moving here.
Chris Cantelmi, as Matt, the jogger who has a most cynical view of religion and worship and ethnic minorities. His massive ego is nicely presented by Cantelmi.
Amanda Powell, as Magdalena, the foul-mouthed Polish-American nurse who transports her mother to worship at the shrine. Her bitterness is strongly is presented.
Suzetter Mayobre plays the emotionally distraught Terri who arrives to ask for help from her sexually deranged fiance. The crude humor presented is a hoot.
Lastly, we meet Rosie Newton’s Mrs. Shriver, the Jewish Liberal, who feels unfulfilled as a woman due to her not having a child.
The amazingly honest performances, rich in nuance and depth, make Our Lady of the Underpass a most enticing and wholly engaging theatrical work. Brian Sidney Bembridge’s set and Jess Klug and Mac Vaughey’s vivid lighting give an aura that sure could be an portrait of a holy woman. See this well written and terrifically acted drama. It’ll test your faith.
Highly Recommended
Tom Williams
At 16th Street Theatre, 6420 16th Street, Berwyn, IL, call 708-795-6704, www.16thstreettheater.org, Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30 pm, Saturdays at 5 and 8 pm, running time is 95 minutes without intermission.