Keeping THEM out
By Dean Taylor, February 16, 2007

Them

Wed, Feb 28, Thurs–Sat, Mar 1–3, 8pm

Sun, Mar 4, 5pm

Teatro Santa Ana, Reloj 50A

100 pesos

It is possible, claimed George Bernard Shaw, to make a serious point through comedy more effectively than through serious drama. The famous playwright should know—he wrote many comedies, all of which made serious points.

I began writing Them strictly as a comedy because comedy is what I write. But Them began to take on a life of its own, and soon it became clear that it was exhibiting a serious theme. 

Them is about exclusivity. It’s about people not wanting outsiders to be part of their group, their perfect neighborhood, their perfect little club. Any outsider who may want to join this circle is perceived as a threat, especially when there is little or no information about the outsider. In such a case, derogatory information is often invented, which, of course, only re-enforces the notion that the person is a threat.

Them is about a perfect community that the world has suddenly discovered, and the residents resolve to do everything they can to exclude outsiders.

Many people have said, “This sounds like San Miguel!” Back home, people have told me it sounds like the town where I live. Someone else told me it sounds just like his town. Perhaps it could apply to many places.

Nonetheless, Them is a comedy. Bizarre things happen. But the characters go too far and their efforts backfire, leaving them worse off than when they started.

How many of us are like this? How many of us want exclusivity? Is it a desirable trait? How many of us tend to resist change? Who among us becomes upset when it appears that the status quo may be altered? Come and see how the play explores these concepts.

Them, directed by Tony Napoli, opens at the Teatro Santa Ana February 28 for five performances. Tickets go on sale in the library patio beginning February 21.





Playreaders present Iguana


Night of the Iguana

Tue–Thur, Feb 20–22, 7pm

St. Paul’s Parish Hall, Cardo 6

10 pesos

Based on a short story written in 1948, Night of the Iguana premiered on Broadway in 1961 with Patrick O’Neal, Bette Davis and Margaret Leighton. The film, directed by John Huston, starred Richard Burton, Ava Gardner, Deborah Kerr and the nymphette Sue Lyon. Shot just outside of Puerto Vallarta, three of the film’s stars were involved in notorious love affairs, attracting numerous paparazzi and international headlines, which in turn made Puerto Vallarta world-famous.

Set in 1940, ex-minister turned tour guide Reverend T. Lawrence Shannon, who has been accused of statutory rape of a seductive 16-year-old, arrives at a friend’s cheap hotel on the coast of Mexico with a group of Baptist ladies. Alcoholic and on the verge of a nervous breakdown, Shannon learns that his friend, Fred, has died and the hotel is now run by Fred’s promiscuous widow, Maxine, who is very interested in snagging him. A virginal spinster painter, Hannah, and her poet grandfather, Nonno, penniless world travelers, move Shannon to convince Maxine to let them stay the night. It is a long and difficult night.

Our readers are Dennis McCarter as Shannon, Claudia Joubert as Maxine, Susan Rushton as Hannah, Frank Simons as Nonno, Kokila Byrne as Miss Fellowes, Gwenneth Holmes as Charlotte Goodall, Larry Gassler as Hank, Gerry Camp as Jake Latta and Emanuel Acala as Pedro. Irving Kohn executes lights and sound, and Fran Rowe Robbins directs.

The doors to St. Paul’s Parish Hall open at 7pm and the play begins at 7:30 (or earlier, if the house fills).





Curtains up at Jacaranda

Love Letters

Through Feb 25

Thurs–Sat, 8pm; Sun, 4pm

Villa Jacaranda, Aldama 53

125 pesos/250 pesos with dinner

After decades of disuse, the beautiful stage curtain in the theater at Villa Jacaranda is in full use again for Iguana Productions’ presentation of Love Letters. For many years now, the theater has been mainly used for movies and the occasional short-run stage production.

Love Letters opened February 8 for a three week run until February 25, which is unusual for San Miguel, and a challenge to producers to keep momentum and interest alive.

The “dinner package” has proved to be very popular and most patrons are choosing to take advantage of the complete evening event: a three-course gourmet dinner in the dining room and a short rest before going upstairs to the theater for the production and a complimentary drink.

This time round, Iguana Productions has added a website for information and online reservations: www.loveletters-sma.com 

Love Letters was presented last August for a week of successful previews with great comments from people who saw the production. Some changes have been made now that they have moved into a larger venue and a real theater.

Always looking for interesting venues to enhance the theater experience, word has it that Iguana’s next production will be presented in a home. The audience will be integrated into the real-life setting and actors will not be restricted to one playing area. Do any theater lovers out there have a large sala?