13th Play - The Travelers by Luis Alfaro
Brian M. Rivera (Brother Santo), Juan Amador (Brother Juan), and Ogie Zulueta (Brother Ogie) from the world premiere production by the Magic Theatre in San Francisco. Photo: Jay Yamada
This was in the newest edition of American Theatre Magazine. Not knowing ANYTHING about the play, I grabbed my copy and dove in.
Summary: "Humorous and poignant, The Travelers takes place in a monastery alongside Highway 99 in Grangeville, California, population 496 and home to migrant workers. When a stranger stumbles in with a gunshot wound, he is nursed by the brothers of the 936-year-old Carthusian Order — even as the Archdiocese is cutting financial support, casting a shadow. Funny and heartfelt, filled with ritual and absurd touches, The Travelers explores the brothers’ struggles against poverty and the complexities of human connection.” From Latino Theatre Company website.
Laura’s thoughts in brief: To be honest, when I realized that it was an all-male show, I was a little … bummed? Then, when all the characters were named “Brother Something-or-other,” I groaned out loud. To read a play with little distinction between the characters is difficult, especially if it’s all men (sorry, that’s just my perspective). However, almost immediately, each Brother starts to distinguish themselves. The playwright has created some fascinating and quite different characters, which can be challenging in these situations. Brother Juan is one of the most interesting, as the visitor from the outside world. What’s his deal?, we and the Brothers all wonder. Do we find out? Sort of, but it becomes less important. So, what actually happens in this play? Not a lot of action really, and that’s part of the point. Small moments, though, like Brother Juan’s surprising discovery of Brother Ogie in the bathroom, are hilarious. Ogie lives in the bathtub, unable to use his legs, which sounds very sad, but Ogie is not. Juan is very discomfited by having to share this private space with someone, but eventually they have some very profound conversations. Several of the other monks also come and have conversations in the bath with Ogie, almost as if he is their personal counselor or oracle. Appropriately for this role, Ogie is a bit of an innocent, and he is also sweet, funny and charming. “I never learned miles and numbers,” he says, “But I think I have learned people. When they say they are happy, they mean they are a little bit scared. When they cry, they don’t like to admit it. When they love you, they don’t show it, because they are afraid you won’t love them back. When they hurt, they hurt you too. When they don’t get enough love, they make you give it to them. When they need forgiveness, they come to you.” Wise words … I also enjoyed the character of Brother Yiyo, who seemed younger than the rest. When Juan arrives and they are trying to decide what to do with him, Brother Santo, the leader of the group, says “Brothers, we minister to those in need.” Yiyo replies, “Yeah, but not in an Urgent Care kind of way.” The minute you think the play is going to taper off into a section that’s dull and plodding like a bad day in church, something unusual and surprising happens, or someone speaks to something unexpected. The play is quite realistic in many places, with fun and down-to-earth dialogue; Brother Nancho introduces himself with “I have my room booked until death.” “That’s romantic,” replies Brother Juan. Nancho responds, “Can’t beat it. I got my ass out of working the fields. I’m okay with this.” Then it also has moments of absurdity, or I would say more of surrealism, like at the beginning of the play which starts with a transformation: “In ritual, the men begin to disrobe, a vulnerable moment of change. The acceptance of new life. A shedding of old skins. Brother Santo hands them cassocks, designed with 33 buttons signifying Christ’s life, along with rosaries and ropes for belts. They slip them over their heads and they become.” I imagine watching the actors bring those moments to life would be absolutely fascinating. Reading, a little less so, but still interesting. Honestly, towards the end of the play, I was not enjoying reading it, because it made me sad for people with no place in the world, and that’s what the Order felt like to me. However, taken as a whole, it was warm and funny and more hopeful than it sounds from my last comment. I think it would be delightful to see.
READ MORE! Here’s what others had to say about productions:
https://datebook.sfchronicle.com/theater/luis-alfaro-travelers-premiere-magic-theatre-17769493
https://stageraw.com/the-travelers/
https://larchmontbuzz.com/larchmont-village-life/theatre-review-the-travelers/