Reviewed by Tony Annicone
The first show at Trinity Rep in 2024, which is the continuation of its 60th season, is the world premiere of “La Broa'” by Orlando Hernandez, inspired by “Latino History of Rhode Island: Nuestras Raices,” oral histories collected by Marta V. Martinez. “La Broa”’ (Broad Street) draws from real-life stories of Providence’s Spanish-speaking immigrant communities over sixty years and is directed by Tatyana-Marie Carlo, a resident artistic company member. Hernandez takes these oral histories and weaves interesting, poignant, and awe-inspiring tales into a show that audience members can savor and enjoy. These stories are based on real people with some fictional events mixed in, ranging from gripping to entertaining but, most of all, educating and entrancing the crowd to understand how different cultures exist, not only on Broad Street. Rosa’s Market on Broad Street is the center of the stories Dona Rosa tells Ana, a student at Providence College, in 1992. The show is told with flashbacks to 1947 when Rosa came to New York from The Dominican Republic. She met her husband Tony there, and they eventually moved to Providence. This is where the characters interact during the show as Dona Rosa weaves tales of her past. They speak of immigration, how they adjusted to Providence, and cultural matters that affect them. Marta Martinez has worked on this script for the past ten years, and Trinity Rep performers make her and real-life people extremely proud in this astounding show.
Tatyana-Marie brings out the best in her cast and infuses them with high energy and insight into these characters. Her blocking and keeping the show in constant motion makes the audience pay close attention from start to finish. The show is told with dialogue in both English and Spanish. Dona Rosa and her late husband own the market, which is the show’s center. It covers the years from 1947 to 1992, and costumer Amanda Downing Carney makes sure the costumes perfectly reflect all these specific time periods. The costumes are impeccable for each period. The incredible market set and various props and furniture used in the many vignettes are by Patrick Lynch, while the lighting is by Christina Watanabe, sound by German Martinez, and expert musical direction by Matthew Requintina, who picks several song and dance numbers to lighten the proceedings. A fabulous salsa dance closes Act 1 with power and punch, lightening the mood after the assassination of Martin Luther King on April 4, 1968.
“La Broa”’ makes a powerful statement about how things must improve and how far they have come. It is a marvelous world premiere that must be seen by one and all. The show focuses on the relationships of the Latin community in Rhode Island and how they deal with civil rights, racism, discrimination, and many inequalities. Playing the leading role of Dona Rosa is Alina Alcantara, who captures the audience’s hearts from her first entrance, where she tries to break into her market to retrieve a photo of her late husband. This role is based on Josefina Rosario, who fled the Dominican Republic in 1956 to escape the dictatorship of Rafael Trujillo. The video expertise of Peter Sasha Horowitz keeps the audience up to date on the historical timeline of the show with videos of past historical events in Latin America and the United States. Alina captures both the comic and dramatic side of the character perfectly. She moves from scene to scene, watching past events while acting in numerous scenes. Her relationship with her daughter and other cast members is spot on.
Rosalyn Tavarez marvelously plays the young author, Ana. Her earnest portrayal of this student who yearns to learn about the Latino heritage of Providence while listening to Dona Rosa and interacting with her roommate, Susan, who initially comes across as an airhead but shows a deeper side to herself later in the show. Ana is based on the author of this play and the show closes in 2024, even with the progress that has been made, more can be done to help this community.
The other eight performers play multiple roles in this show. Marina Tejada plays Dona Rosa’s daughter excellently. She makes the role her own with her terrific timing and interactions with Alina, Rosalyn, and the rest of the cast, especially when she portrays Dona Rosa in the flashback scenes. Her husband, Tony, is well-played by Jeff Ararat, who gives him the strength the character needs. Other colorful characters are also well played, including Rudy Cabrera as Pedro, who runs for office as a Republican later in the show; Alexander Crespo-Rosario as Carlos, the cousin of the family who leads many protests throughout the years; and Arturo Puentes as Don Pacheco who thinks he is a musician when he is younger only to eventually become one. David Bertoldi and Ana’s roommate wonderfully play Dr. Freitas, a family friend who helped them find their market; Susan is excellently played by Madeline Russell, who also played a comic role in “The Inferior Sex,” displays a serious side when telling Ana that her father convinced her mother not to go to college when they first met. So, for a world premiere of a show with an important message, no matter how far we have come, there is always room for improvement. Be sure to catch “La Broa’ ” before time runs out. Go to their website at trinityrep.com. It’s a marvelous show that not only educates you but entertains you at the same time. Tell them Tony sent you.
LA BROA (18 January to 18 February)
Trinity Repertory Company, 201 Washington Street, Providence, RI
1(401)351-4242
