Theatre is a fascinating beast where unlike the medium of film and television, theatre can never be replicated and a performance on one day will not quite be the same on the next. And when there’s only five? Such is the case for Bethesda Repertory Theatre‘s My Brother’s Keeper, a deeply moving and intimate piece about brotherhood and embracing one’s identity that also shines a much needed light on the Latino LGBTQIA+ community.
With only five performances, they are incredibly fleeting but in its short time, this play makes a definite mark that this theatre company is one that Los Angeles should keep an eye on for greater things to come.
Abel is 29. Officially older than his older brother David, was before his unexpected passing. Having recently found his brother’s personal journal and letters, Abel attempts to put the pieces together of why his brother, David, seemingly hated him, what their relationship was, and what it could have been.
Written by Abel Marquez and directed by Andrew Rudy Galindo, the beauty of the playwright’s language and simplicity of the play’s set design gives way for the small ensemble cast to fill the stage and fortunately, they have quite the cast with Victor Parra, Arnaldo Andrés, and Jose Luis Perez Jr. who perform their roles magnificently. I can even argue that the set design can be further simplified without the need of the movable screens to give the illusion of scene changes but that would really be my only nitpick critique of the show.
When there is good acting seen on stage or on film, understanding that individual’s language is not always necessary. This is evident in My Brother’s Keeper where Spanish is frequently spoken throughout without any subtitles and I actually appreciated that the English translation is not spoken right after to make it “white audience member friendly.” The actors brought such full emotion and commitment to their roles that we as audience members may not understand the exact words being said but we know exactly what is going on. Jose Luis Perez Jr. is absolutely phenomenal as Jono so it saddens me that he will be moving to France to continue his artistic pursuits as Los Angeles will be emptier without him.
Victor Parra is endearing as our main lead Abel and narrator and Arnaldo Andrés demands all of your attention as the brother David and together with Perez Jr., the three create an indelible magic that is both profound and extremely touching. Having great shame in one’s identity, especially when it is looked down upon or demonized by others, is a shared aspect so many in the underrepresented communities experience. This main theme is explored throughout the play but ultimately it is about embracing and celebrating both the good and the bad of what makes us who we are. When this journey takes a climactic turn near the end, the weight of its impact is undeniably powerful and affecting.
It does not escape my attention that I’m releasing this review on a major day of protest today, as millions of U.S. citizens and immigrants around the nation are protesting the Trump administration for their gestapo treatment of the immigrant community, particularly that of the Global South. Art, in all shapes and form, is political and anything that celebrates or highlights underrepresented communities is a part of that. Thus, a play like My Brother’s Keeper is an important one for not only being an all around excellent play but one that celebrates the Latino queer identity without forced virtue signaling or beating the identity aspects over one’s head.
With only four more performances, you need to run to catch this before this ends. They are Saturday June 14 at 4:30PM and 8:30PM, Sunday June 15 at 3:30 (Queer Panel to follow) and 7:30PM. Tickets are $36 online or $40 at the door. Rush tickets available at 9AM morning of the performance. You can buy tickets here with any other box office inquiries that can be reached at info@bethesdarep.com.
