PRIMA’S GUIDE TO FUNERALS – Written by Leonard Madrid; Directed by Yesenia Garcia Herrington. Produced by Creede Repertory Theater’s Headwaters New Play Program (124 Main Street, Creede) through September 14. Tickets available at 719-658-2540 or boxoffice@Creederep.com.
It is obvious that playwright Leonard Madrid treasures and enjoys close familia relationships. CEBOLLAS (his script that debuted earlier this year at the Denver Center) followed a frantic drive from Albuquerque to Denver by three sisters. His current play, being performed by Creede Rep follows a daughter’s journey through the grief of losing her mother with the help of two of her cousins. They were all members of the “young cousins” growing up together in the loving home of their mother and aunt. While it is hard to witness the grief displayed, the grounded down-to-earth relationship of the prima’s also allows for humor to be a component of the healing.
The three-person cast tackles the fast-moving dialogue of the script with enthusiasm and an understanding of the secret language of families. Cultural references, family events and personalities, and the secrets of near siblings growing up together – all play a part in their day-to-day conversations. Arcie (Savanna Padilla), the daughter, has previously written a Book of Rules for approved behavior within the family. The Rules apply to her and her prima’s (probably to other family members as well) with the understanding that if everyone lives within the Rules, everything will run smoothly. No one would get sick; no one would die. If someone died, it was because someone broke the Rules. This led Arcie to believe that she had broken a Rule and that was why her mother passed away unexpectedly. She desperately wants to atone.
Arcie’s cousins Clara (Katie Rodriguez) and Nando (Julian Ibarra) are equally desperate to disavow her of her fears and help her negotiate a path to acceptance of the inevitability of certain acts. Clara is an overconfident smart-mouthed sex pot with no holds barred. One of the Rules is that “Clara is always right.” Nando is less confident but lovable and in awe of his female counterparts. He does however discover a secret power he holds over Arcie with comic consequences.
In addition to the grief Arcie experiences, she is also charged with writing the obituary – an impossible task. Anyone having gone through the death of a loved one knows that the grief comes to you in waves, knocking you to your knees only to be relieved by comfort or humor. This script follows that same pattern throughout during the day of the funeral to the final scene which provides an answer to Arcie’s problem in a beautifully staged solution.
Each actor brings a fully developed character to life. Director Herrington has helped her cast find the variety of nuanced highs and lows within Madrid’s script. The design crew – which includes a simple and smoothly successful set designed by Sydney Hagen; the beautiful enhancement of lighting by Jennifer Gonzalez; a supportive sound design that creates the mother’s beloved river by Max Silverman; and sexy clothing for Clara and non-sexy clothing for Arcie chosen by Angelina Herin. Together they have created a funeral home, churches, forests, and the river; all the spaces and places needed to tell this story.
Playing in rep with the other shows of Creede Rep’s season (BASKERVILLE, YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, and THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST), PRIMA runs through September 14. If you have any reason to head south this summer, schedule your trip around a stop in Creede.
A WOW factor of 9!!
saw this work of art performed in Crede on 08-03-2024. Wonderfully done! As an Hispanic from Northern New Mexico, this work could hit the nail right on the head even if the “nail” as a straight pin!!!