Theatre & Stage reviews by SalsaChicago.com critic Al Bresloff

"Another Part Of The House"

Teatro Vsta , Chicago's cutting edge Latino Theater ensemble, is presenting the Midwest premiere of the Migdalia Cruz provocative twist on a Lorca classic ( "La Casa de Bernarda Alba") that takes you to a part of the house that no one dares to go. This is a house that is filled with secrets and as the story unfolds a great number of these mysteries unfold. The play begins with a funeral and we meet the widow and the five daughters left behind. Their mother forces these young ladies that their mourning period will be eight years. During this period, their desires, dark secrets and jealousy escalate. In a locked room of the house, the grandmother (a marvelous character created by Laura Crotte, who supplies many comic moments), a sex starved 80 year old, who appears to have a lover, Pepe (Silently played by Juan F. Villa )- but is Pepe a man, a lamb (in wolves clothing) or a figment of the mind? She has been locked in the room by her daughter Bernarda (a strong performance by Julia Neary), and attempts to escape so she can be with her lover and find some happiness. To do this, she enlists the aid of her youngest grand daughter, Adela ( Rachel Cerda in her debut does an excellent job- I am sure we will see more of her in the future). There are many secrets between the sisters- Amelia (handled deftly by Charin Alvarez) and Magdalena( Tanya Saracho, who as always gives a bravo performance), the "catty Martirio (Ilana Faust appears to have this character down pat) and Angustias (Sandra Marquez, who as always is perfection on stage). There is also a servant ,Poncia ( Lily Mojekwu making her Teatro Vista debut) who was taken in by this family- another secret?

The staging of this show by Cecilie D. Keenan, on the very small stage of The Chopin Theatre works well and the set by Rick Paul, lighting by Jesse Klug and sound by Mikhail Fiskel all add up to make this story come to life. Luis DeLa Torre adds some of the visuals to complete the picture painted before our eyes. The story is one that cannot fail to hold your attention ( or should I say stories, as there are several going on and lots of secrets that are exposed during this production) and the ending is one that will make you think. I will not reveal the ending as while there are lots of comic moments, there is also a great deal of tragedy, but in the end, you should feel good and perhaps you will think about your family and some of the secrets you have never shared.

"Another Part of The House" will run through October 22nd with performances as follows:

Thursday 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday 5 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Sunday 4 p.m.

Tickets range from $22-$30 ( a true bargain for such a wonderful production).

To purchase advance tickets call 312-494-5767.

The Chopin Theater is located at 1543 W. Division St. and parking is available at Holy Trinity Church (Division and Noble). The Blue Line stop is right there and of course the Milwaukee Ave, Ashland Ave and Division Street bus stops are right there. for more info check out www.teatrovista.org.