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| Rubén C. González Photo by Tim Fuller |
"...Rubén C. González's one man show La Esquinita, USA brings to life ten colorful characters in a small U.S. bordertown where the people and the city have all fallen on hard times. While it isn't a completely successful venture, it is exceptionally directed with rich creative elements, and González is a master craftsman in his ability to breathe life into these characters as he effortlessly transforms from one to another. ...The story centers on Daniel, a drugged out high school student who desperately needs money to pay off his debt to his dealer and who dreams of getting out of this broken-down town to join the military. ..González presents an interesting tale and eloquently establishes both a place and people that we've all seen, heard of, or come in contact with....While this play premiered back in 2010 it is clearly still just as relevant today. Director Kinan Valdez's firm touch and the superb lighting design by Michael Oesch and evocative sound design by Anahuac Valdez help assist González as he weaves together these divergent characters. The changes in light and sound transform the stage as quickly as González morphs, with changes in his vocal inflection and body language from character to character. It all plays out on Regina Garcia's excellent set that portrays a chainlink fence outside the abandoned factory with discarded tires and garbage scattered around a bus stop where Daniel waits for a bus that seems to never come. While González is exceptional in his portrayal of these disparate and desperate people, there are a few moments in his play where slightly unfocused themes or characters are introduced and it is unclear what, if any, point they have in the plot. ...Also, the ending is ambivalent, possibly to make us decide for ourselves what we think would happen to Daniel and the people we've met. ...makes it seem unfinished and even somewhat disappointing to not know what happened to this anxious young man. While I wish it were somewhat clearer and had a better ending, La Esquinita, USA is an intriguing character study that puts the spotlight on the many small towns across the land whose inhabitants find their once booming area now desolate and their dreams no longer within reach." -Gil Benbrook, Talkin' Broadway (click here to read the complete review)
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