Commissioned
by
Latino Theater Company and
developed in its Circle
of Imaginistas
playwriting group, the world
premiere of
Speaking
in Tongues by
Luis
Alfaro
continues the MacArthur Foundation “Genius Grant” recipient’s
funny, poignant exploration of life in the small, predominantly
Mexican-American agricultural towns of California’s San Joaquin
Valley. The setting is a Pentecostal church on the edge of a
cornfield in Earlimart, a California town off Highway 99 in Tulare
County. Hermana Romie, Hermana Cubby, Hermano Mando and Hermano Tico
share chisme,
food, and their devotion to the Apostolic faith. Hermana Romie’s
husband was the pastor of their church — until he disappeared eight
weeks ago. As immigration raids threaten the community and their
daughter prepares to leave for a secular life in Los Angeles, Hermana
Romie claims her own authority, uniting religious devotion with
activism and leading the congregation toward collective resilience.
Latino
Theater Company
at The
Los Angeles Theatre Center
(The
LATC),
514
S Spring St.,
Los
Angeles, CA 90013;
(213)
489-0994;
www.latinotheaterco.org
Oct
15-Nov 15
• Thursdays at 8 p.m.
•
Fridays at 8 p.m.
• Saturdays
at 8 p.m.
• Sundays at 2 p.m.