"Upon hearing that this show is directed by Noah Blake, son of none other than the recently exonerated but notorious former Baretta, Robert, it's hard to prevent a certain bemused quality from creeping into one's observations of the event. Is that two hit men sitting two rows behind you at the Tamarind? Is that the headwaiter of Vitello's supplying the dainties at the concession counter in the lobby?
Blake's staging of performer Dario Gonzalez's fascinating solo show has nothing to do with the Blake news story whatsoever. And, perhaps even more happily, the show is a surprisingly genial and passionate account of the American immigrant experience, told through a point of view that is not often articulated this compellingly. The play--written by Gonzalez, Blake, and Samantha Dunn--charts Gonzalez's life story, starting out fairly innocuously with his sprightly, but fairly generic descriptions of his boyhood in his native El Salvador.
But it's during the work's subsequent scenes, when Gonzalez chillingly describes his illegal crossing of the U.S. border with the assistance of a sinister "coyote" smuggler, that the piece totally catches fire. How many Americans have stories like this to tell? And how rare it is to hear the tale this vividly, from this particular angle. More poignant, still, are later scenes, which describe his footless later years as he gradually discovers that, for an outsider, the so-called American dream is far harder to obtain than he was led to believe.
Gonzalez himself is a wonderfully engaging narrator of his experience--and his charisma is such that we almost immediately feel like we've known him for years. Blake's crisp, intimate staging is extremely well-timed, bordering on the delicately acrobatic. Gonzalez knowingly at first presents himself as a stereotype, then fleshes himself out in several dimensions, ultimately undermining any ethnic preconceptions." - Paul Birchall Backstage West
"With three writers it’s a miracle that any one-man show comes out in the wash intact, yet the writing is this show’s strength. Under Blake’s direction, Gonzales performs the autobiographical story of his youth in El Salvador... It’s sort of a rags-to-riches tale: Gonzalez has landed movie roles playing an illegal immigrant...The irony isn’t lost on him. Among the show’s pleasures is Gonzalez’ cynicism and candor about his almost-genetic attraction to the bottle. In a pre-emptive apology, he implores us not to be too hard on people who don’t speak good English, but Gonzalez’ English is no impediment...His story is able to overpower. " - LA Weekly
"Sit back & enjoy one of the most hilarious, outrageously funny, witty, emotional, exceptionally entertaining ... outstanding performance by Dario Gonzalez's in his one man show, you will love it"
Rating: 5
Georgie Lombardo, Santa Monica, CA
"Hilarious and outstanding account of Dario's life events from childhood to his citizenship ceremony. From his voice impressions to his dancing ability he is truly amazing. A must see!"
Rating: 5
Lynn, Redlands, CA
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