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It's a laugh-a-minute at the garden show onstage now at GALA Hispanic Theatre, the Spanish world premiere of the English version with surtitles on two overhead screens.
From start to finish, Jardin Salvaje (Native Gardens) is hilarious and the solid acting makes it that much more enjoyable.
Like a rose blooming in spring, neighbors begin their relationship nicey nice which doesn’t take long for smoldering issues to break ground and open.
Juan Luis Acevedo as Fabio almost steals the show with his antics, swoops, dives, and other gymnastic feats to portray increasing dissatisfaction with his new next-door neighbors (Democrats without a doubt) who have invaded his space and may cause him to lose (once again!) the community's garden show competition.
It all comes down to a fence which happens to be the dividing line between the properties, or is it?
Sound designer Justin Schmitz fills the land with happy music, at least at first.
Costumer Jeannette Christensen was busy dressing the characters quickly in different outfits every time they went in the house and when they came out.
Alberto Segarra lets the sunshine (and nighttime) in with perfect lighting.
Gardens is written and adapted by Washington's own transplant from Mexico, Karen Zacarias, one of the most produced playwrights in the nation. Once seen, you'll definitely buy tickets when you see her name attached to other shows.
Applause to director Rebecca Aparicio and other production team members: Deja Collins, projections; Alyssa Hill, stage manager; Jon Townson, technical director; P. Vanessa Losada, production manager; Hugh Medrano, producer; and Gustavo Ott, translator.
What: Jardin Salvaje (Native Gardens)
Covid policy: Masks are optional for guests who are fully vaccinated and boostered. Otherwise, masks, please.
When: Thursday - Sunday nights through Feb. 26, 2023
Where: Gala Theatre, 3333 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20010.
Tickets: $48, or seniors (ages 65+), students, teachers, military, and groups (10+), $35. Ages 25 and under, $25. To purchase, visit galatheatre.org or call 202-234-7174.
Handicapped accessible
Duration: About 90 minutes plus one intermission
Metro stations: Columbia Heights is one block from GALA. 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 at Giant's garage around the corner on Park Road. Validate your ticket in GALA's lobby.
For more information: Call (202) 234-7174 and/or email info@galatheatre.org
patricialesli@gmail.com
Juan Luis Acevedo as Fabio almost steals the show with his antics, swoops, dives, and other gymnastic feats to portray increasing dissatisfaction with his new next-door neighbors (Democrats without a doubt) who have invaded his space and may cause him to lose (once again!) the community's garden show competition.
Dios mio!
Plus, those youngsters look to be wretched "tree huggers" who shun insecticides!
Can it be? Next door to me?
Oh, my! Look how my garden grows...or did, until Pablo (Victor Salinas) and his very pregnant wife, Tania (Alina Collins Maldonado) moved in, at first, kind people, good people, until...until!
Hilarity sprouts, takes root, and blossoms without fertilizer.
Fabio's wife, Virginia (Luz Nicolás), the consummate professional frequently seen on GALA's stage, is a realistic mate who helps nurture the "friendship" with the newbies. And (worst of the worst!), she smokes!
Plus, those youngsters look to be wretched "tree huggers" who shun insecticides!
Can it be? Next door to me?
Oh, my! Look how my garden grows...or did, until Pablo (Victor Salinas) and his very pregnant wife, Tania (Alina Collins Maldonado) moved in, at first, kind people, good people, until...until!
Hilarity sprouts, takes root, and blossoms without fertilizer.
Fabio's wife, Virginia (Luz Nicolás), the consummate professional frequently seen on GALA's stage, is a realistic mate who helps nurture the "friendship" with the newbies. And (worst of the worst!), she smokes!
She smokes!
A silent team of landscapers (Fabian Augustine, Janine Baumgardner, Edwin Bernal, and Lenny Mendez) come to clean up the yard and make ready for Pablo's law firm party about to take place in the back yard, and party is what they do, all right: Making light of their customers, dancing and sharing their joyful personalities to add more merriment to an already merriful show.
That the setting is in Washington with some wonderfully snide remarks about certain neighborhoods produces lots of laughs.
A silent team of landscapers (Fabian Augustine, Janine Baumgardner, Edwin Bernal, and Lenny Mendez) come to clean up the yard and make ready for Pablo's law firm party about to take place in the back yard, and party is what they do, all right: Making light of their customers, dancing and sharing their joyful personalities to add more merriment to an already merriful show.
That the setting is in Washington with some wonderfully snide remarks about certain neighborhoods produces lots of laughs.
The set is a marvel with the tallest tree I've seen on a stage with...could this be right? Individually placed pieces of bark? It's a treasure, one that the new couple adores but the old fuddy duddies next door want removed. (Nominations, please, for Grisele Gonzalez, scenic designer, and Chelsea Dean, properties.)
My goodness, whose leaves are those?
It all comes down to a fence which happens to be the dividing line between the properties, or is it?
Sound designer Justin Schmitz fills the land with happy music, at least at first.
Costumer Jeannette Christensen was busy dressing the characters quickly in different outfits every time they went in the house and when they came out.
Alberto Segarra lets the sunshine (and nighttime) in with perfect lighting.
Gardens is written and adapted by Washington's own transplant from Mexico, Karen Zacarias, one of the most produced playwrights in the nation. Once seen, you'll definitely buy tickets when you see her name attached to other shows.
Applause to director Rebecca Aparicio and other production team members: Deja Collins, projections; Alyssa Hill, stage manager; Jon Townson, technical director; P. Vanessa Losada, production manager; Hugh Medrano, producer; and Gustavo Ott, translator.
What: Jardin Salvaje (Native Gardens)
Covid policy: Masks are optional for guests who are fully vaccinated and boostered. Otherwise, masks, please.
When: Thursday - Sunday nights through Feb. 26, 2023
Where: Gala Theatre, 3333 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20010.
Tickets: $48, or seniors (ages 65+), students, teachers, military, and groups (10+), $35. Ages 25 and under, $25. To purchase, visit galatheatre.org or call 202-234-7174.
Handicapped accessible
Duration: About 90 minutes plus one intermission
Metro stations: Columbia Heights is one block from GALA. 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 at Giant's garage around the corner on Park Road. Validate your ticket in GALA's lobby.
For more information: Call (202) 234-7174 and/or email info@galatheatre.org
patricialesli@gmail.com
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