Bend over Mari’s shoes for a moment. She runs an art gallery in Miami. And that’s Art Basel Time. This is the largest annual event on the Miami art scene, attracting enthusiasts with money spent from around the world. You can create and destroy small galleries. And, um, oh, all the art she was planning to display was stolen. Did you mention that the opening of the exhibition will be tonight? And did her movie star mother appear unexpectedly?
All of this makes “laughing in Spanish” so fun and universal. After all, everyone has “one of those days” at some point. And you have to laugh, whether you spell it “haha” or “jajajaja” to spell it, right?
To be clear, the play is performed in English. Sprinkle with Spanish phrases to taste Oberhah at restaurants and shops in Florida. The Florida environment adds to the fun for our residents of Sunshine. There are also many character jokes, as it is said that paintings are “conversing with each other,” at the expense of the art world and its high-faltin methods.
Playwright Alexis Spairs was clearly influenced by the world of art, as well as by the telenovelas, another aspect of Latin culture. So there are deep dark secrets, twists in the plot, life-changing discoveries, and unexpected love.
At Orlando’s Renaissance Theatre, director Cherry Gonzalez, has not added more telenovella-like details for her laugh. Instead, she focuses on the character herself to provide humor. This means it’s not big enough to make you laugh, but instead it’s based on something deeper than a parody.
In addition to Harried Mari, the charming character includes her assistant, alumni Karo. Karo’s boyfriend, Juan, and the police officer. and Jenny, Mari’s old friend, who worked as a personal assistant to Mari’s mother.
It’s Estella, and Estella cuts down a blouse there to create a magnificent entrance and a skirt with slits there. (The on-point costume is by J. Marie Bailey.) Mama Estella is dramatic, perceptive and opinionated. In other words, she’s a lot.
Angela Cott gives her the right amount of me, making her star, not a clown. And she really delivers with an expanded monologue about her fateful night in Polotropical. As her assistant Jenny, Daniel Bloom has a perky relationship that meshes well with other actors.
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Isabel Bernal and Jonathan Gurdon also have chemistry and play the character’s personality – she’s frustrated and he’s a bit of a gooball – without overdoing it. They deliver in fascinating scenes written by Spair, each of whom must be serious in comics and almost at the same time.
Finally, Marisol, as the owner of the gallery, is the adhesive that holds the entire plot together. She’s probably a little stronger, but Spair made the play, so the more we learn about her relationship with her mother and her romantic life, the more we feel sympathy. And Robles does an amazing job of taking us on that journey.
The refined white and white set by Joey Coombs and Philippe Lepo, conveys both the art gallery and Miami. So does Diego Ford lighting. This suits the mood of the scene while giving it Miami Aqua and Purple.
Does this play show cultural specificity for Latinos? Of course, that’s why these characters are realistic. Some are interesting, some have been pointed out. As a Latina actress, Estella has rules about the parts she plays to avoid the usual typecasting of Hollywood: “No cocaine, No cleaning.”
But “laugh in Spanish” will be a good time for anyone in their background at the time.
Follow us at facebook.com/matthew.j.palm or email us at mpalm@orlandosentinel.com. Find out more entertainment news and reviews at orlandosentinel.com/entternationment.
“Laugh in Spanish”
Length: 1:25, No break Location: Renaissance Theater, Orlando period at 415 E. Princeton Street: Until March 30 Cost: $15-$35 Information: RentHeatre.com
Original issue: March 10th, 2025, 11:27am EDT
