Familia territory
Victory Gardens teams up with Teatro Vista for a staging of "A Park in Our House," a drama by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Nilo Cruz ("Anna in the Tropics"), set against the rich--so to speak--backdrop of Castro's Cuba in the '70s.
At its heart, the drama is about family relationships. And the themes are accessible and moving, whether or not you know much about the setting and political context of the play. This is good news for history phoebes and theater buffs alike: The story is poetic, intelligent and comic without being sappy, preachy or corny. It's well acted and beautifully staged, to boot. The 199-seat theater is intimate and appealing; the actors simultaneously pierce us with their stories and draw us closer.
The strong, six-person cast showcases especially good performances from Charin Alvarez (Ofelina), Lance Baker (Dimitri), Joe Minoso (Fifo) and young Bubba Weiler (Camilo). Gustavo Mellado (Hilario) and Marcela Munoz (Pilar) round out the cast. The actors expose the dreams, hopes, fears and vulnerabilities of a struggling Cuban family faced with economic shortages and professional limitations. Baker portrays with delightful awkwardness the visiting Russian botanist who is trying to find his place in the world. The show is highly recommended.