Editor’s note: We see all of you looking at this review in 2023. Please note, this is from a 2022 performance by the Denver Center for the Performing Arts.
Like a dirt devil whipping through the desert landscape, the cast of Quixote Nuevo whirls around the stage of the Wolf Theatre, portraying the human condition and complexities of lived experiences.
Death, frailty, disease, pain, sorrow, misery, regret, violence, rage.
Love, joy, celebration, passion, heroism, strength, forgiveness, hope.
The derecho of Hispanic cultural references, imagery, history is at times overwhelming, and the Mexican/ borderlands lingo is often unintelligible to the gringo ear. Surrender to it all. Observe, listen from the heart, resist the urge to fight or flee what challenges. We all arrive with our biases, beliefs and preferences; allowing space for Nuevo’s storytelling through performer’s body language, tone of voice, and authenticity, opens a teachable moment.
The play gets in your face with overtly biased political statements and critiques of El Norte walls of stone and mind that separate peoples; the Estados Unidos is ever present as both land of hope and opportunity, as well as cruel oppressor and fear-based hatred. Nuevo will offend some in the audience, even as it invites them as amigos and offers universal truths from el corazon.
Quixote Nuevo explores the horrors of reality and the desire to escape them by inhabiting an idyllic world of our own choosing. Or is Nuevo a warning to resist the urge to escape and focus on reality in order to make the world a better place? Like any great work of art, playwright Octavio Solis asks many questions and allows the viewer to decide what to do with them; be sure to read the interview in the program for more about this play and Solis. For this reviewer, Quixote Nuevo is both a great work of art and a call to action for a world that is devolving into easy outs. It is a must see of the 2022 Denver theater season.
A cast of Hispanic actors continually shape shift throughout the two-and-a-half-hour production, developing a landscape of richly crafted characters. When they all took their bows at the end, I was shocked to see this complex world was brought to life by only 10 people. All performances were strong – of exceptional note are these:
Herbert Siguenza is Quijano/Quixote, principal character and on stage almost the entire show. His portrayal was equally heartbreaking and comedic genius; physically rigorous and courageous for a man of a certain age. Fearlessly dressed in night shorts, then junkyard Knight, then filthy beggar, Siguenza filled the entire space with his presence. His crawling lamentation through dusty dry canons still haunts me.
Laura Crotte as Magdalena is a loving/God-fearing abuela figure – humble, giving, kind. As Perla, she’s a saucy cantina character, still hoping for love in a world that has shown her little kindness. Her stage performance brings tears and laughs.
Raul Cardona as Papa Calaca (and other personas) haunts most scenes in black leather, cutting a striking figure of menace and death. Like a phantom, he quietly disappears and returns transformed – a Bracero, a musician, a desert spirit, a guitar player, a dancer… His transformations are remarkable; his monologue, delivered while nimbly hopping barefooted across a wall of boulders in the desert, is shattering.
Alexis B. Santiago, as both Rosario and Juana, inhabits characters that flirt with predictable stereotypes then surprises with authenticity and humor. As barkeep Rosario, she could be all mean-spirited – but she’s also a mom with enough heart to help others. As Juana, she could be a superficial bimbo in red heels and tight dress; instead, she’s fearless and brings comedic gold with selfless love for her Manny and the elders of her close knit community.
Like a Chorus from Greek Tragedy, the ensemble is a powerful force when all onstage together in costumes depicting Mexican culture – singing and dancing in spectacular costumes, crafts, and puppetry. It’s an overall fantastical live play experience. Kudos to all at the DCPA Theatre Company, in front of and behind the curtain!
One last note…
It has been two years since this reviewer attended live theater in the renovated Wolf Theater building – what spectacular and welcome changes – Bravo! – and thank you to the staff and ushers who were all friendly and welcoming.
Quixote Nuevo runs through June 12, 2022. Visit DenverCenter.org for more information and to purchase tickets.
-By Jimmy McDonough
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