TEN MINUTE THEATER FESTIVAL
Produced by Ruben Amavisca
By Odalys Nanin
Los Angeles, CA (The Hollywood Times) 1/19/25 – Ruben Amavisca a veteran producer and founder has for the past thirteen years produced the now famous Ten-Minute Theater Festival. These are ten new plays written some by first time writers and others by professionals. The actors that participate in these short plays come from all different backgrounds and one Cultura; the Latinx experience is palpable and alive on the stage boards! There is not one theme to the plays, but each play has its own unique voice. It’s truly wonderful to see how some many artists come together to deliver a grand theatrical presentation.
1- I BET YOU DIDN’T KNOW by Irene Robles, directed by Jacqueline Guido This is a play where the lead is the writer and speaks in sign language. We see her communicating with her grandmother by using a Video Sign Language Interpreter. It’s difficult to follow but once you get the style it’s easier. The relationship between Irene and her grandmother played by Maria G Martinez is heartwarming. Her grandmother never learned sign language to be able to communicate with her granddaughter. The transformation takes place when the grandmother promises to Irene that she will learn it.
2-LA VINICIO by Waddys Jaquez performed by Josue Guerrero
This is a one man show in Spanish performed adaptly by Josue Guerrero with a Cuban accent to boot. He plays the character of La Vinicio, a charismatic, energetic, gay Cuban who’s delivery of such witty lines like; “Ser Pato no quiere decir que soy Puta.” (Just cause, I’m gay doesn’t mean I’m a whore) & “Mi Tumbaito Tropical” (My gay walk) made everyone laugh. Funny play good performance.
3-ABUELA’S FUNERAL by Teddy Alexis Rodriguez & Directed by Emanel Loarca
Who goes to a funeral to ditch on your dead grandma? Three estranged siblings must come together to arrange their grandmother’s funeral despite clashing personalities, deep-seated grudges, and conflicting feelings about their own Abuela. This play is hysterically shocking it would have been more surprising if the Abuela rose from the dead!
4-CITY OF RAIN by Tricia Cruz directed by Carmelita Maldonado
Divina is a Latina writer played by Tricia Cruz, who delivers a sarcastically powerful performance. Divina is assigned to adapt the novel of a famous writer into a screenplay. She discovers that the famous writer who she met 30 years ago, El Rey Rey now into his 80’s brilliantly played by Daniel Mora, negates on her adapting his novel. He thinks she’s not good enough since he’s a genius and she is not! Divina yells back,” there are more than one genius in this room! “She gives him a “Mal de Ojo” (Evil eye). This confrontation gives El Rey a fright falling to the ground. Divina takes this one-time life opportunity in her career to smother El Rey Rey to death. In the meantime, she calls her agent Gale played by Blanca Melchor. Divina tells her agent that the novelist just died but gave her full rights to adapt his novel. Ms. Cruz ten-minute play has witty lines, a well-developed plot and a surprise ending. The audience laughed hysterically as she took her career into her own hands! A promising great start for a new writer!
5-BORACHA (Drunk Lady) written & directed by Laura Vega A family secret is reveal the day of the funeral of Felix’s father. Felix is played by Lori Rubio who is believable as the young drunk daughter of Maria played by Laura Vega. The bartender Cordova is played by Jaime Sage Ferrar who later is revealed that he is the biological father. Felix was conceived on a one night of passion between Maria & Cordova. Ms. Vega writes this play in the style of a TV telenovela (soap opera) broad and wild yet funny and entertaining, 6-CHILDLESS CAT LADY by Josefina Lopez directed by Carmelita Maldonado A Latina comes to term with her inability to have babies after an emergency hysterectomy.
The lead character Katrina played by Acriana Lopez ponders on all the babies she could have had while petting her sweet Cat played by Alejandro Valtierra, he does it with lots of flare and purring. Josefina Lopez the writer of” Real Women Have Curve” breaks the mold by introducing a Shaman woman from another dimension who appears to Katrina (La Catrina is the woman behind the day of the dead) letting her know that she has conceived many babies in other live times! Two celestial beings appear as representation of her past live babies with antennas on their head. By naming her lead Katrina (La Catrina- the writer implies that she is pure, gentle but assertive!) This is a running theme throughout Josefina’s plays her female leads are never little helpless women in need of saving. They are feminine woman, filled with a powerful spirit that shines like a brilliant diamond! Filled with witty lines such as: “A woman is God’s portal to a third dimension so be a mother to brilliant ideas.” “Only women can heal the earth that men have destroyed.” It’s truly fantastic to see it on stage even if it’s only for ten minutes. So, the childless cat lady (Women) is not childless after all, because we have lived many lives and giving birth to babies and ideas! I love the powerful message of Josefina’s play. Brava!
7-TACOS EL MAGO by Ignacio Gonzalez directed by Mari Mercado
When a MAGA Latino storms his taco stand, a street vendor fights back with his delicious Tacos. Immigrants of all walks of life come to Los Angeles to build a better life! That doesn’t mean it’s an easy life. Hard work and sacrifice by parents for their children.
This play deals with a supposedly Latino citizen Alfred played by Christopher John Magallanes going after a Taco vendor Jesus played by Eden Vara because he thinks he is an illegal. He calls an INS agent to take Jesus but when they do a record search, they discover that the vendor is not illegal, but the MAGA Latino Alfred who tried to deport him is a illegal born in Mexico not the USA. The writer’s message is clear do not do onto others what you do not want to do onto you because it just might backfire!
8- MI HERMANO (My Brother) written and directed by Andrew Lara Cervantes
The subtlety of this play is clear two brothers with different live styles and opposing perspective on love and life. Juan played by Daniel Marquez and Angel played by Daniel Luna who gravitate to each other’s even though they may not see eye to eye.
An interesting play that explores and tests the bonds of family, identity and the cultural values that define them.
9- WOMAN BEATER written & directed by Christopher John Magallanes
This play was not easy to watch even though the message is powerful to teach a 9-year-old a lesson in discipline. Chris a 9-year-old has gotten into trouble at school for hitting a girl, but he fails to see the error of his ways. It’s up to karate instructor, Sensei Joe to teach him a lesson that hitting the fairer sex is not something you do unless you are a coward or a Woman Beater. Chris is played by Dane Gbrayes who is believable as the 9-year-old boy. Sensei Joe is played by Dean Sanclemente who delivers a strong performance as the karate instructor.
10- TURNING POINTS written & directed by Dina Jaurequi
Menopause, Hot flashes and mommies make overs are all discussed between three friends in their 40’s while having brunch. A well written play with hysterically funny jokes delivered with great comedic timing by three seasoned actresses Dina Jaurequi, Arely Arnica & Emma Valdez
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