What does it actually mean to produce Latinx theater in the United States? Does the plot have to have a particular set of themes? Do the actors need to be Latinx? Is Spanish a requirement?
In Philadelphia this month, two theater groups are taking two different approaches to plays penned by two Philadelphia Latina playwrights, Erlina Ortiz and Tanaquil Márquez.
In Ortiz’ play, “La Egoísta,” the characters are two sisters “who happen to be Latinidades,” Ortiz said. “Their language with each other is influenced by them being Latina, but the play is not about being Latina.”
The opener for Philadelphia Theatre Company’s 50th season, “La Egoísta” tells the story of a Latina stand-up comedian (Sasha Merci) on the cusp of breaking into the big time when she learns that her younger sister (María Gabriela González) has a debilitating illness and requires care.
The push-and-pull of ambition, love, and loyalty form the basis of this play, informed in part by Ortiz’ own struggle to cope with the debilitating effects of Crohn’s disease, a type of inflammatory bowel disease that causes fatigue, fever, weight loss, and abdominal issues.
“These are two sisters who are different from each other, but find a way to be there for each other,” Ortiz said. “Sisterhood and healing and forgiveness are themes that happen in my shows.”
“La Egoísta,” winner of the National Latine Playwrights Award, runs Oct. 4 through 20 at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre, the Philadelphia Theatre Company’s home in Center City.
Intertwining stories
In North Philadelphia, Márquez’ work, “Nichos,” takes the stage at Teatro Esperanza from Oct. 17 through 27.
Márquez created “Nichos” from the stories of people in Philadelphia, Los Angeles, and Mexico.
“We wanted to hit folks from different regions from Mexico,” she said. “We also wanted to talk about different professions, livelihoods, and ages — people who are born in Mexico, people who are born in the States and are first generation.
“It follows three storylines from families starting off in Mexico who then cross over” to the U.S., she said. At first the stories are separate, but later they intertwine.
All of them focus on one question, Márquez said. “When you leave Mexico and you leave your country, what do you leave behind and what do you take with you?”
The project dovetailed with Esperanza’s practice of spotlighting a Latino country each year; this year, it’s Mexico.
“We conducted 15 oral histories — half here and half in Mexico. We went and stayed with the families in Mexico through the connections we made in Philadelphia,” explained Márquez.
For example, Márquez and her team interviewed Alma Romera, owner of Alma del Mar restaurant in South Philadelphia. Then, they traveled to Romera’s hometown, San Martín Texmelucan de Labastida in Mexico.
“We stayed with her mom and sisters,” Márquez said. “These are people she hasn’t seen in 24 years.
“It was one of the most magical experiences to arrive at this beautiful home. We were greeted with confetti and posters that said `Welcome.’ They donated their time, their food, and their home to us, and that’s what I really felt that I wanted to represent on stage — these feelings, these values, these stories.
“Everyone brings their own poetry to these interviews — it’s so descriptive, so imaginative,” she said.
Family forward
Both Márquez and Ortiz talked about how the Latin culture’s emphasis on family influenced their work and the production of their plays.
For example, in “La Egoísta,” the comedian worried about caring for her sister is the older sibling. “The older sister is the person expected to take on responsibility for caregiving,” Ortiz said. “It’s prevalent in Latin households, but it shows up [everywhere] women are expected to be caregivers.”
The family atmosphere grew among the cast and crew of “Nichos.” There are 21 actors; three are professionals and the rest are amateurs drawn from the community. Among them is Alejandro Utria, a professional translator from West Philadelphia who loved to be in grammar school plays but hasn’t acted since then.
“It really does feel familial,” Utria said. He plays the Mexican deity Quetzalcóatl, a teenager, a drunk ex-lover, and a singing street vendor, performing parts in three languages — English, Spanish, and Nahautl, an indigenous language.
“Nahautl is still spoken today in Mexico, specifically in Ozolco,” Márquez said. “Many migrants who have moved to Philly are from Ozolco and they speak Nahuatl.”
All three languages show up in “Nichos” and aren’t translated. Márquez said audiences will be able to readily understand what’s happening through context. Some Spanish is also sprinkled throughout “La Egoísta.”
Both shows promise more than words on stage.
“La Egoísta” lead character Josefina is played by Sasha Merci (from the 2023 movie “Righteous Thieves”), a stand-up comedian in the play and in real life.
“Almost half of the show is stand-up comedy,” Ortiz said. “As the events of the play are happening, she starts to process them through her standup. One of the perks is you are getting a stand-up show, mixed in with the play.”
María Gabriela González plays Josefina’s ailing sister.
In “Nichos,” Ampersan, an ethnic rock group from Guadalajara, takes the stage. Band members Kevin García and Zindu Cano and music director Ximena Violante composed the show’s original songs. Violante, a Mexican violinist and jarana player, is based in Mexico City and Philadelphia.
The name “Nichos,” comes from traditional small Mexican dioramas that portray religious scenes and those of everyday life. Nichos inspire the set, by designer Michael Lambui and muralist Calo Rosa, both from Philadelphia.
FYI
“La Egoísta,” Oct. 4-20, Philadelphia Theatre Co., Suzanne Roberts Theatre, 480 S. Broad St., Phila. 215-985-0420.
“Nichos,” Oct. 17-27, Teatro Esperanza, 4261 N. 5th St., Phila. 215-324-0746.
