Review: GALA Hispanic Theatre's DANCING IN MY COCKROACH KILLERS is a Breath of Fresh Air

Summer theater offerings in D.C. tend to pull out all the stops to draw Washingtonians off of the streets and into their venues. This shouldn't be a difficult sell if there is air conditioning: after all, escaping the humidity is a high priority for people surviving summer in the District. Nonetheless, theaters pack their summers with big exciting productions from Signature's Scottsboro Boys to Arena Stage's upcoming Dave to an unknown little show known as Hamilton at the Kennedy Center. Amongst all of the madcap mayhem for biggest summer smash, GALA Hispanic Theatre has delivered a small and intimate musical that could be one of the best times you have in D.C. this summer.

Dancing in My Cockroach Killers (a pointy-toed shoe attributed to Puerto Rican women) is, most simply, a love letter. Made up of a series of vignettes, each tale weaves a portrait of the strength and resilience of the Puerto Rican population. Whether speaking of internal struggles, marital mishaps or international relations, the short scenes give a snapshot of what it means to be Puerto Rican in 2018. This is the kind of production that makes you want to learn more about the culture and peoples represented onstage.

Such a drive to educate is thanks in large part to a sharp, succinct script by Magdalena Gómez. Unlike some vignette shows (or many episodes of Saturday Night Live), each scene lasts for an appropriate amount of time. During an early depiction of a runaway child in Puerto Rico, outrunning those chasing after him, audiences are taken on a quick journey (assisted skillfully by Christopher Annas-Lee's smart lighting design) that never becomes too dramatic or too stale. Ms. Gómez's script additionally shifts between English and Spanish with such ease that most audience members (regardless of language comprehension) likely won't rely heavily on the provided supertitles. Instead, the emotions and expressions of the cast carry the weight of each of their words.

And what an emotionally and expressive cast this is. From the minute the first note is played, it is obvious the audience should gear up for a party. All six cast members (two men and four women-who are provided with much meatier material than their male counterparts) ooze a genuineness which underscores the importance of the material for each of them. A particular highlight is Yaremis Félix, whose description of her abusive marriage is full of heartbreak, despair and a burning passion which makes audience members clearly see how such a women can fall back into previous patterns. The most enjoyable moments of the show, however, are always those when all six cast members are together leading the party with Desmar Guevara's solid score.

As director, Rosalba Rolón appears to have given much leeway to the cast. There are few times of laser-sharp precision which gives the production a slightly unpolished finish. For instance, when moving from position to position in group numbers, several traffic jams would occur between actors. Small moments like these could take audience members out of the production. Thankfully, the cast would commonly regain their composure with the same vigor previously seen-all but making up for any traffic-related mishaps.

The real saving grace for these imperfections comes in the form of the onstage three-piece band led by Mr. Guevara on keyboard. There wasn't a moment throughout the night where a song felt lacking because of the small ensemble. In fact, the three members often elevated the evening to new heights. Álvaro Benavides serves up several good moments on bass. Providing some of the best moments of the evening, however, is Nicky Laboy on percussion. His drum solo, accompanied by an enthralling dance by Ms. Félix, is riveting. It is the kind of moment that makes an audience wonder just how someone can create such a pure and evocative sound just by hitting a hollow tube.

GALA might not have the sharpest production currently playing in D.C. but they certainly have the most heart-filled. Making a real connection between actor and audience is so tricky, especially in an increasingly cynical and digital world. Productions like Dancing in My Cockroach Killers serve as a glorious reminder of the beautiful moments that can come from the most simple productions.

Dancing in My Cockroach Killers is having its D.C. premiere at GALA Hispanic Theatre through July 1, 2018. For more information, or to purchase tickets, call (202) 234-7174 or click here.

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Sam Abney is a Washington, D.C. based arts professional. A native of Arizona, he has happily made D.C. his new home. Sam is a graduate from George Mason University with a degree in Communication and currently works for Arena Stage as a member of their Development team. He is a life-long lover of theater and is excited about sharing his passion with as many people as possible.

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