‘Magica’ turns 10 with new twist

Tom Titus

Can it be 10 years since South Coast Repertory created a companion

holiday play to its annual main-stage production of “A Christmas

Carol”?

Yes, “La Posada Magica” is marking its 10th year after South Coast

Repertory commissioned playwright Octavio Solis to stage a

Hispanic-themed, yuletide play. The difference between the first

production on what was then known as the Second Stage and its current

incarnation on the Julianne Argyros Stage, however, is like night and

day.

The story may be the same, but the presentation has grown to fit

its accommodating venue. Solis’ play -- about a teen-aged girl

embittered by her baby brother’s death and rediscovering her

Christmas spirit -- abounds with familiarity, including several

performers who have taken part in as many as eight of the 10

productions.

This year, director Diane Rodriguez has given her show --

particularly its second act -- a much wider canvas, injecting new

elements in the segment that see the characters traveling through a

parallel universe as they recreate Mary and Joseph’s biblical

journey, culminating in the first Christmas. Last year, the first in

the new Argyros Theater, “La Posada Magica” flexed its artistic

muscles in a new, more spacious environment. This time around, the

production has taken command of its environs. The result is a joyous

experience, whether the playgoer comprehends the frequently employed

Spanish dialogue that spices the show, creating ripples of laughter

from pockets of the audience.

In “La Posada” -- embellished by the musical score of Marcus Loya,

who accompanies the caroling along with fellow guitarist Lorenze

Martinez -- a group of Mexican-American neighbors set out on a

posada, gathering food and clothing for the less fortunate as they

form the biblical procession. But 14-year-old Gracie is determined to

scuttle the celebratory occasion since her own faith has been

shattered by her brother’s death.

The apparently ageless Tiffany Ellen Solano returns for her fifth

performance as Gracie, growing with each succeeding portrayal. Her

fiery rebellion is beautifully offset by the heartwarming holiday

spirit that eventually engulfs her -- after a nightmarish experience

with a pair of ghoulish thugs -- and her vocal talent is impressive

indeed.

Miguel Najera fits comfortably into the role of the wise posada

leader in his first appearance with the show. Another newcomer, Elsa

Martinez, glows in the character of Mariluz, realistically playing

the Virgin Mary, as she actually is about to deliver her own child.

Mauricio Mendoza is back for a second turn as her dry-cleaner

husband, sensitive about his bare legs in the period costume.

The consummate scene-stealer, back for a fourth production, is Sol

Castillo as the wisecracking Refugio, whose Elvis-like number, “I’m

Your Lucky Santa,” successfully breaks the gloomy mood and rocks the

audience as well. He and Kevin Sifuentes, the procession’s school

security guard, also double most effectively as the masked hoodlums

who scare the bejabbers out of our heroine.

One of the funniest moments of the show arrives when two

overindulging female procession members commandeer a box of

chocolates. Denise Blasor (in her eighth appearance) and Carla

Jimenez (in her fourth) have these roles beautifully nailed, as well

as their fantasy characters, “the widows Sandoval,” who share a

common garment. If you listen carefully enough to the narrator’s

(Najera’s) dialogue, you’ll realize the story is told in rhyme, and

how its structure fits so elegantly with the modern-day presentation.

If you’ve seen “La Posada” in the past, you’ll also notice the

expanded concept of the spookier elements. “La Posada Magica”

continues to enthrall both English- and Spanish-speaking audiences on

its 10th re-enactment. It’s a joyous “Feliz Navidad” from South Coast

Repertory.

* TOM TITUS reviews local theater for the Daily Pilot. His reviews

appear Fridays.