BWW Reviews: PROPERTIES OF SILENCE Resonates with Depth

No reality exists in which an historical figure from 17th century Mexico would end up in the present day kitchen of a realtor in Phoenix, Arizona but in the dreamtime of PROPERTIES OF SILENCE all things are possible. Here, authors Theresa Chavez, Rose Portillo, and Alan Pulner explore the imagination of necessity by transcending time to merge the stories of two women led by the calling of their own inner voice.

Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz (Rose Portillo), the famous 17th century poet/nun, seeks to continue her lifelong quest for knowledge in the face of opposition from a church that no longer supports her brilliant mind's work, while Barbara (Elizabeth Rainey), a young realtor, finds the life she has carefully created with her husband is missing fulfillment. "No foundation is without its mystery," says Sor Juana and on this day both women find that the reality upon which they have built their lives is about to crumble away.

The 50-minute interdisciplinary work uses two of Sor Juana's writings as its point of departure, La Respuestra (The Answer) and Primero Sueño, or First Dream. In The Answer, Sor Juana defends her right to pursue knowledge by using her gifted intellect. First Dream is an esoteric journey that delves into the prodigious workings of the inner mind with abstract vision.Together they form the basis for a play of great beauty.

The piece is gracefully orchestrated by Chavez who is directing this newly revised version for the first time since it premiered in 1999. Co-writer Portillo has played Sor Juana in all of the various iterations of the play over the years and her deep understanding of the character provides rich bounty for the play's short duration.She and Rainey interact with humor, honesty, and a disarming sense of childlike wonder as the impact of each woman's path makes its mark upon the other. Kevin Sifuentes doubles nicely as Father Miranda, Sor Juana's indignant superior, and Barbara's somewhat clueless husband, Tom, whose focus on selling swimming pools blinds him to his wife's unrest. He adapts to the shifting tones of the time periods with ease.

Images of water permeate the text; a refrigerator filled with clear bottles of water stands like an oasis unable to quench anyone's thirst and a showerhead that pours only sand speaks volumes about one's ability to wash away guilt. Akeime Mitterlehner decorates the set sparsely with these kinds of indelible visuals while Pablo Santiago's lighting design punctuates the shadows contrasting cool blues with the rich sienna glow of the desert.

There is resonance in this kind of intoxicating exploration, for customs like "the silence of an obedient woman" still linger as acceptable in more places today than you might imagine. An early feminist, Sor Juana's pursuits have inspired many, and though it is two women in search of their truth in this play, everyone longs to hear the still, small voice within that knows, even before we do, which path is the right one.

Ultimately, it is hope that PROPERTIES OF SILENCE leaves us with. To know one's direction we must first allow ourselves to dream. That quiet persistent whisper in the framework of the play speaks louder than any outside navigator of greater, more tangible substance could ever hope to add. This journey to find that voice is well-worth the trip.

Each performance of the one-act is paired with an accompanying Post-Salon event which includes everything from poetry readings to music to discussions by invited guests on related topics. Our intimate conversation with the playwrights was revelatory. You can find a complete list of Post-Silence Salon Series events at www.aboutpd.org.

PROPERTIES OF SILENCE
February 21 - March 29, 2015
Carrie Hamilton Theatre
39 S. El Molina Avenue
Pasadena, CA 91101
Tickets: (626) 396-0920 or www.aboutpd.org

Pictured above: Elizabeth Rainey (Barbara), Rose Portillo (Sor Juana) and Kevin Sifuentes (Tom/Miranda) in Properties of Silence. Photos by Theresa Cavez

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