In Spanish the subtitle means “it happens even in the best of families” and if you’re a family member, you’ve experienced it, too: disagreements, conflict, exasperation, and love.
Compounded with intergenerational and environmental injustice in Charm City and there: "Attention, Baltimore! We've got problems."
In the world premiere of his powerful play Choke on stage now at GALA Hispanic Theatre, Emilio T. Infante has written about family matters involving Giselle Gonzalez as Casandra and Joi Kai, Zulema, a lesbian couple, who arrive for a visit at Casandra's parents' home.
Casandra's father, Gonzalo (Gerardo Ortiz Gonzalez) and mother, Esperanza (Maria del Mar Rodriguez) have no quarrel with their offspring's relationship with a person of the same sex. They welcome Zu into their household.
But it's their daughter who throws tantrums at her parents' home in industrial Baltimore repeating family fights over health, financial, and personal problems, and this isn't the first time.
With no hint of empathy, Casandra has come home to roost and crow, and crow she does with increasing volume until she yells. And yells loudly and tells her parents just what she thinks.
She wants them to move, but her parents proclaim their desire to stay. They don't have the means to pay for repairs, but money is a touchy subject.
This kind couple could raise such a daughter?
Ouch!
I felt for Gonzalo and Esperanza, especially Gonzalo who has seeming few years left, and is the target of his daughter's persistently harsh epithets.
He breathes through an oxygen tube he carries around (so realistic I wondered if GALA had hired a handicapped actor), and to protect his self-esteem, he refuses to ask Casandra for a loan.
For years she has pleaded with her parents to move away from the "refinery" and all its chemical and polluting ills plaguing the family.
Throughout the ordeal, Esperanza (which means "hope" in English), remains cool, calm, and collected, as she tries to soothe word wounds inflicted on one by the other.
From left, Giselle Gonzalez and Joi Kai in GALA'S Choke/By Stan Weinstein
Zulema mostly stands on the sidelines, offering comfort to those afflicted, an observer who must be thankful that her partner has not shown such anger at her...yet.
A hole in the floor captures the whole bloomin' mess like Casandra's hardened heart which allows no compassion for anyone who disagrees with her. It's her way or the hole way.
But, it's not all screaming and yelling: Bits of humor flash every now and then.
Compounded with intergenerational and environmental injustice in Charm City and there: "Attention, Baltimore! We've got problems."
In the world premiere of his powerful play Choke on stage now at GALA Hispanic Theatre, Emilio T. Infante has written about family matters involving Giselle Gonzalez as Casandra and Joi Kai, Zulema, a lesbian couple, who arrive for a visit at Casandra's parents' home.
Casandra's father, Gonzalo (Gerardo Ortiz Gonzalez) and mother, Esperanza (Maria del Mar Rodriguez) have no quarrel with their offspring's relationship with a person of the same sex. They welcome Zu into their household.
But it's their daughter who throws tantrums at her parents' home in industrial Baltimore repeating family fights over health, financial, and personal problems, and this isn't the first time.
With no hint of empathy, Casandra has come home to roost and crow, and crow she does with increasing volume until she yells. And yells loudly and tells her parents just what she thinks.
She wants them to move, but her parents proclaim their desire to stay. They don't have the means to pay for repairs, but money is a touchy subject.
This kind couple could raise such a daughter?
Ouch!
I felt for Gonzalo and Esperanza, especially Gonzalo who has seeming few years left, and is the target of his daughter's persistently harsh epithets.
He breathes through an oxygen tube he carries around (so realistic I wondered if GALA had hired a handicapped actor), and to protect his self-esteem, he refuses to ask Casandra for a loan.
For years she has pleaded with her parents to move away from the "refinery" and all its chemical and polluting ills plaguing the family.
Yet, the parents resist. Until the bridge is busted and the government offers a way out.
Throughout the ordeal, Esperanza (which means "hope" in English), remains cool, calm, and collected, as she tries to soothe word wounds inflicted on one by the other.
Zulema mostly stands on the sidelines, offering comfort to those afflicted, an observer who must be thankful that her partner has not shown such anger at her...yet.
A hole in the floor captures the whole bloomin' mess like Casandra's hardened heart which allows no compassion for anyone who disagrees with her. It's her way or the hole way.
But, it's not all screaming and yelling: Bits of humor flash every now and then.
Like the actors, creative team members excel at GALA and their contributions for this show are no exception.
Sound designer Konstantine Lortkipanidze infuses the play with sirens of industrial emergencies, and, in calmer moments, music between-the-scenes, especially chilling single piano keys which slowly play at critical moments for fine dramatic effect.
Gustavo Ott, GALA's artistic director, directs.
Grisele Gonzalez created the full kitchen, dining and sitting room set, assisted by Sarah Bidini, with lighting designer, Hailey LaRoe, and costumer Rukiya Henry-Fields.
Other key creative team members are Tessa Grippaudo, properties; Andre Hopfer, hair and makeup; Ilyana Rose-Davila, production manager; Matty Griffiths, technicals; Grace Rodriguez, stage manager; Makayla Smith, assistant stage manager.
Choke is presented in Spanish with English surtitles on screens on both sides of the stage.
The production will keep you intrigued as you try to guess the ending and ponder how you would bring harmony to this divided family and let all be peaceful and calm, for a change.
WHAT: Choke
WHEN: Thursday through Saturday nights at 8 p.m.; Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. Now through May 18, 2025
WHERE: GALA Theatre, 3333 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20010.
TICKETS: Get 2 for 1 regular tickets for May 1 and May 2 shows with the code: Chocking.
Sound designer Konstantine Lortkipanidze infuses the play with sirens of industrial emergencies, and, in calmer moments, music between-the-scenes, especially chilling single piano keys which slowly play at critical moments for fine dramatic effect.
Gustavo Ott, GALA's artistic director, directs.
Grisele Gonzalez created the full kitchen, dining and sitting room set, assisted by Sarah Bidini, with lighting designer, Hailey LaRoe, and costumer Rukiya Henry-Fields.
Other key creative team members are Tessa Grippaudo, properties; Andre Hopfer, hair and makeup; Ilyana Rose-Davila, production manager; Matty Griffiths, technicals; Grace Rodriguez, stage manager; Makayla Smith, assistant stage manager.
Choke is presented in Spanish with English surtitles on screens on both sides of the stage.
The production will keep you intrigued as you try to guess the ending and ponder how you would bring harmony to this divided family and let all be peaceful and calm, for a change.
WHAT: Choke
WHEN: Thursday through Saturday nights at 8 p.m.; Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. Now through May 18, 2025
WHERE: GALA Theatre, 3333 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20010.
TICKETS: Get 2 for 1 regular tickets for May 1 and May 2 shows with the code: Chocking.
Special event May 3: Longtime theater patrons Jose Alberto Ucles and husband Tom Noll with receive the Gary Maker Audience Award at 7:30 p.m. preceding the 8 p.m. performance. All attending are invited to a reception after the performance.
DURATION: About two hours plus a ten-minute intermission.
AGES: For 14 and up; adult themes and some adult language.
Handicapped accessibility: GALA has four wheelchair accessible spaces and an elevator from the entrance to the lobby and the house.
Metro stations: Columbia Heights is one block from GALA on the Green and Yellow lines. Or, get off Metro at McPherson Square, take bus #52 or #54 up 14th, or, walk the two miles from McPherson Square and save money and expend calories! Lots of places to eat along the way.
Parking: Discounted parking for $4 at Giant's garage around the corner on Park Road with ticket validation in GALA's lobby. Additional parking is available on the street and at the Target garage also on Park Road NW, between 14th and 16th streets NW.
For more information: Call (202) 234-7174 and/or email info@galatheatre.org
DURATION: About two hours plus a ten-minute intermission.
AGES: For 14 and up; adult themes and some adult language.
Handicapped accessibility: GALA has four wheelchair accessible spaces and an elevator from the entrance to the lobby and the house.
Metro stations: Columbia Heights is one block from GALA on the Green and Yellow lines. Or, get off Metro at McPherson Square, take bus #52 or #54 up 14th, or, walk the two miles from McPherson Square and save money and expend calories! Lots of places to eat along the way.
Parking: Discounted parking for $4 at Giant's garage around the corner on Park Road with ticket validation in GALA's lobby. Additional parking is available on the street and at the Target garage also on Park Road NW, between 14th and 16th streets NW.
For more information: Call (202) 234-7174 and/or email info@galatheatre.org
patricialesli@gmail.com
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