The ‘Sweet 16’ season of IAMA Theatre Company launches with the world premiere of Radical or, are you gonna miss me? written by Isaac Gómez and directed by Jess McLeod and what a vibrant way to kick it all off.
While one major aspect of the show had me question what truly constitutes as a “radical” these days, I definitely commend the entire creative team and cast for truly giving it their all in a riveting play that wears its beating heart on its sleeves.
“What do you do when the people you call family are the ones who hurt you the most? After being bailed out of jail by her estranged sister, Belinda must reconcile the person she was with the person she feels she’s destined to become. Commissioned by IAMA Theatre Company, Radical or, are you gonna miss me? by Isaac Gómez tells the sweeping story of three women on the Mexican American border who, more than anything, desperately want to be seen — and who will do anything in their power to make themselves known, no matter how great the cost. A personal look at the political divide within one Mexican American family and the nuances within communities we often view as single-minded.”
Photo by Makela Yepez
Right off the bat, this play is held entirely by the extraordinarily strong ensemble cast consisting of Anna LaMadrid, Elizabeth Ramos, and Kim Griffin as Rosalie, Belinda, and Erica respectively. Especially with LaMadrid and Ramos, we are instantly drawn into the world of two estranged sisters who are forced to be together due to the actions of Ramos’ Belinda when the radical group she’s part of was responsible for setting off a bomb in their city hall that has resulted in the loss of innocent lives. While under house arrest, the two push and pull in the vast ocean of differences that lie between them. Though the two share kindling moments of possibility in their memories of their late mother and their childhood, the play frequently interrupts the timeline with the past as we see how Griffin’s Rosalie greatly influenced Belinda to become the radical she is now.
Photo by Makela Yepez
When we see what drives the radicalization of Belinda, that is where the play unfortunately lost me. I say this not because that it is the writer’s fault who portrays the play’s scenario that this form of radicalization is akin to that of Trump’s MAGA supporters but that the idea of what even makes a “radical” these days have unfortunately coincided with the recent events of Israel and Palestine where merely reposting an Instagram story about human suffering is enough to constitute one as a radical because it has led to numerous job losses across the world. And then I also thought that it would have been a more challenging narrative if the radicalization was not using the safe route of extremist white conservative values but merely standing up for what’s right and being considered a danger to the state just for attending sit-in’s. The metric of radicalization doesn’t take much these days and the play is not too subtle about what people thinks what a “radical” is as opposed to current reality.
Photo by Makela Yepez
I am pretty certain though that my disagreement may not be widely shared with others as it is a much safer route to pin the “radical” narrative on the faction that most theatre-goers and theatre makers largely do not side on. Despite this nagging issue, the writing and directing bristles and moves at such a frenetic speed while also taking its time during their moments of gravitas and vulnerability. Disagreements or not, this is the type of art I encourage folks to see..my only wish is to challenge the narrative just a bit further.
Photo by Makela Yepez
WHO:
• Written by Isaac Gómez
• Directed by Jess McLeod
• Starring Kim Griffin, Anna La Madrid, Elizabeth Ramos
• Presented by IAMA Theatre Company, Stefanie Black, artistic director
WHEN:
Previews: Nov. 11 – Nov. 15
Performances: Nov. 16 – Dec. 11
• Tuesday at 8 p.m.: Nov. 14 ONLY (Preview)
• Wednesday at 8 p.m.: Nov. 15 ONLY (Preview)
• Thursdays at 8 p.m.: Nov. 16 ONLY (Opening Night) and Dec. 7 ONLY
• Fridays at 8 p.m.: Nov. 17; Dec. 1; Dec. 8 (dark Nov. 24)
• Saturdays at 8 p.m.: Nov. 11 (Preview); Nov. 18; Nov. 25; Dec. 2, Dec. 9
• Sundays at 2 p.m.: Nov. 19; Nov. 26; Dec. 3, Dec 10
• Sunday at 8 p.m.: Nov. 12 ONLY (Preview)
• Mondays at 8 p.m.: Nov. 27, Dec. 4, Dec. 11 (dark Nov. 20)
WHERE:
Atwater Village Theatre
3269 Casitas Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90039
• FREE parking in the ATX (Atwater Crossing) lot one block south of the theater.
TICKET PRICES:
• General Admission $40
• Previews: $25
HOW:
iamatheatre.com (323) 380-8843