Review: LOVE STRUCK by Macha Theatre/Films at Odyssey Theatre
Misses the Mark as a Passion Project
Most actors. directors and producers have a passion project they are excited to bring to the stage, hoping their dedication and love for it will be shared by audiences. Such is the case for Odalys Nanin, the producing artistic director and founder of Macha Theatre/Films who wrote the two-character lesbian play Love Struck in 1997 with Marie Barrientos, and has now directed (with Angela Nicholas), produced and stars in the play's visiting production at the Odyssey Theatre through May 3, 2026, presented by Macha Theatre/Films. Nanin portrays Laura and her co-star is Lisette Santiago as Rachel.
Lizzie Santiago (l.) and Odalys Nanin
Photographer: Carlos Hernandez
The play begins when two Latinas, Rachel, the American, and Laura, the Cuban, have been together for three years and, like so many marriages, the white-hot lust of their early courtship has evolved into a warm domesticity. As the two chat about fond memories of their past together, Nanin and Santiago take us through their attempts to energize their love life with role-playing, cosplay, and erotic accessories. Breaking the fourth wall, Laura asks a member of the audience to dance with her and she shares the story of such an occurrence taking place at a party to make Rachel jealous in an attempt to re-ignite the passion between them. That scene would have worked better if we had a real sense of what Laura is attempting to re-ignite.
I attended the production on opening night, hoping for a well written and authentically performed lesbian rom com wherein a pair of lovers struggle to get together, become lovers, perhaps marry, and then face a life together that proves to be either too difficult to survive or the height of happiness, passion and devotion.
As time passes, Laura, the more successful of the two (with both as actors, it seems, going on auditions) buys a comfortable Los Angeles home in which they reside. She is definitely the more established, and a bit older than Rachel who seems to be struggling to find herself both professionally and personally. The insecure Rachel wants to become as accomplished as Laura, but is also beginning to feel homesick for her native New York. So you can guess the biggest challenge to their relationship surviving.
Lizzie Santiago (l.) and Odalys Nanin
Photographer: Carlos Hernandez
Unfortunately, the production was very under-rehearsed on opening night with it nearly impossible to hear many lines being spoken, several in Spanish without translation, projected silhouettes of the two actors inside an enclosed scrim, cross stage hallway at the back of the stage not being clearly seen due to incorrect lighting, and a lack of real passion or lust between the two actors. That led to not really caring if these two women stayed together for more than a few dates, especially since their romantic scenes of sexual activity seemed forced and more posed for effect than authentic. Thus, the meandering episodic story falls flat, seeming more like a poorly imagined fantasy than a story based in reality.
Perhaps the actors will have a better grasp on their characters and dialogue, and lighting effects will be refined as the two-week run proceeds through May 3 on Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m. Sun. at 3 p.m.at the Odyssey Theatre, 2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90025. Free parking onsite. Tickets are $35 in advance, $40 at the door. Or by calling the box office at (310) 477-2055. Online tickets at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/love-struck-tickets-66479031573
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