COMIDA DE PUTA (F%&KING LOUSY FOOD)

Multistages
West End Theater at the Church of St. John and St. Andrew
263 West 86th St.
April 8-26

Directed by Lorca Peress
Written by Desi Moreno-Penson


Sotero works at his father’s failing bodega in the South Bronx. Hardly any customers come in except for Sotero’s friend Manny and Manny’s sister, Alcidia (who never pay). Sotero would like his father to sell out to the corporate organic market that is buying up the neighborhood, but his father wants to hold out for an economic recovery. Complicating this already fraught relationship is Sotero’s stepmother, Laluz who is hot for her stepson.

Combining today’s political and economic climate with magical realism, COMIDE DE PUTA is a fascinating play. The production combines a terrific set design with previously shot video (at times very effective, other times distracting), an onstage drummer, and a mostly excellent cast. Standouts are Marcos Sotomayor as the Greek Chorus/best friend, Manny, and Alex R. Hernandez as the gentle, sensitive, yet hunky Sotero. A little judicious trimming of the script and two stronger actresses as Laluz and Rosalia would make this a piece that could really go somewhere, however, it is well worth seeing as is.

- Jean Tait -