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Austin360 blogs > Austin Arts: Seeing Things > Archives > 2011 > August > 24 > Entry
Theater review: ‘Dos Pocitos’
While apocalyptic disaster tales seem to be overtaking fast cars and martial arts in the box offices these days, it’s not always asteroids or earthquakes that cause civilization to deteriorate. Sometimes, we do it to ourselves.
“Dos Pocitos,” a new play by Raul Garza running through Sept. 3 at Salvage Vanguard, explores the social and political climate of a desolate not-so-distant future. Produced by Teatro Vivo and directed by Estevan Zarate, “Dos Pocitos” is both funny and poignant, raising questions about poverty, immigration, spirituality and hope.
The story takes place in Texaco — no, not a gas station, but a futuristic vision of a North American border no-man’s land. When drug cartels, gang warfare and the federal government take over the area, most of the residents move on, relocating to safer territories. But despite decades of danger and near starvation, a few inhabitants are holding out — refusing to leave the land they call home.
Adam (Mario Ramirez) is an academic, ostensibly returning to study the devastation he escaped. But the trip is half fact-finding, half-road trip when he brings his party-boy cousin, Abel (Mateo Barrera), along to explore what’s left of their hometown.
After an unexpected and unfortunate encounter with one of the locals (Rob Rowland), Adam and Abel eventually stumble their way into the well-armed “convenience” store run by two of the last remaining residents. Marissa Castañón-Hernández is hilarious with her rhinestone encrusted gun vest and no-nonsense, take-no-prisoners approach to retail.
Barrera is entertainingly fratty alongside Ramirez’s academic straight man, and the banter between the two is smooth and energetic.
Julio Carreon Reyes’ set design is austere and dynamic, creating a bleak and industrial world for the play. The sound design, however, does a disservice to the script, resulting in a rather anticlimactic intermission break.
While “Dos Pocitos” is clearly a lively piece of bilingual theater, much of the humor flies over the heads of those not up on their Spanish slang. The same goes for a fair bit of the emotional nuance, which is unfortunate given the poignancy of the play.
An overt comment on the current political climate, “Dos Pocitos” explores our relationships with identity, belonging, hope and spirituality. Though the second act is a bit messy and overtly moralizing, the play has promise. It leaves us thinking about how our decisions today will affect the future ahead.
“Dos Pocitos”
8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays through Sept. 3
Salvage Vanguard Theater, 2803 Manor Road
$15-$25, Thursdays are pay-what-you-wish
www.salvagevanguard.org
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