Review: ESPEJOS: CLEAN at Studio Theatre

Top-notch bilingual production of Christine Quintanta's play of culture clash

By: Sep. 21, 2023
Review: ESPEJOS: CLEAN at Studio Theatre

It’s not new to have a Spanish language play in D.C. presented with English supertitles. 

Studio Theatre is doing that in their current production of “Espejos: Clean” but also offering Spanish supertitles for English dialogue. And sometimes they flash up at the same time.

It seems fitting in a play where different cultures collide just as the language does. 

Christine Quintana’s play (with a Spanish translation and adaptation by Paula Zelaya Cervantes) is a truly bilingual story about two women — one a manager of a cleaning staff at a Cancun resort, the other a North American visitor, English speaking only, with her own problems: the maid of honor at her little sister’s hyper-planed destination wedding, who is fully expected to mess things up and usually does.

As in the service industry, the two don’t really intersect — except for superficial greetings and the special clean-up required of a drunken guest who slices her knee open in a fall from a barstool. 

But when a sudden flood causes throws them together for a night, their exchanges draw out traumatic experiences from both of them, which in the end doesn’t really bring them together, but at least allows them a greater degree of mutual understanding.

The all-woman production is top-notch, from the vibrant cast to the sharp direction of Elena Araoz

Legna Cedillo gives heart and determination to Adriana, a woman from a small town who defies her family by joining the ranks of the resort cleaning crews of Cancun, quickly working her way to a no-nonsense management position that still allows her to pitch in as needed. 

Certainly, the daily chores are ground into her character such that she can repeat its endless cycles faster and faster, as she does in a dazzling second act scene. But she shows further dimensions as she shakes off her official attire and lets her hair down. 

Lauren Karaman is dynamic as the North American guest Sarah — a blowzy presence when drunk who is soon seen to be hiding insecurities and damages within. 

One of the first curvy models on “Project Runway,” Karaman is often seen in a bathing suit lathering up the sunscreen and trying out Spanish poorly. 

Despite her experience as a model, acting may be her strong suit. Not many can tear up on demand as she does freely more than once. (The bleeding, band-aids and scarring of her knee are all thanks to the detail-oriented costume designer Christopher Vergara, I’m supposing).

Sarah’s empathy toward Adriana is based both on recognition and misappropriation. Their imagined, sometimes disturbing fantasy encounters together that begin the second act can be at first a bit confusing, but offer a window into their shared fear and shadows from the past.  

Their parallel lives, told in near-poetic soliloquies, are well paced, as Araoz has one entering as the other is exiting on a clean, white-tiled set by Raul Abrego that’s the perfect surface to show and scrub the dirt that’s spilled. 

The wood paneling in the back suggests the long, lonely hallways of a resort hotel, with a thin line of light (lighting designer: Alberto Segarra) that is marvelous in its reductive simplicity: a cool blue for the ocean, and the hotel; a green for the Mexican landscape, a white for the lightning accompanying the storm. (Segarra’s also got a perfect pink light for the sunburning Sarah). 

Behind them, Luis Garcia’s expressive projections show reflect both the wash of the water, and the clouds of uncertainty as needed. 

Running time: Two hours with one 15 minute intermission.

Photo credit: Lauren Karaman and Legna Cedillo in “Espejos: Clean.” Photo by Margot Schulman. 

“Espejos: Clean” runs through Oct. 22 at Studio Theatre, 1501 14th St. NW. Tickets at 202-332-3300 or Click Here


BroadwayWorld Awards Voting

RELATED STORIES - Washington, DC

1
BroadwayWorld Washington, DC Awards December 5th Standings;  Leads Favorite Local Theatre! Photo
BroadwayWorld Washington, DC Awards December 5th Standings; Leads Favorite Local Theatre!

It's December, and the first standings of the month have been announced as of Tuesday, December 5th for the 2023 BroadwayWorld Washington, DC Awards! Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!

2
American Alliance For Theatre & Education to Host Inaugural Pre-Holiday Auction Photo
American Alliance For Theatre & Education to Host Inaugural Pre-Holiday Auction

American Alliance for Theatre & Education is hosting its first-ever Pre-Holiday Auction, featuring an array of exciting items and theater memorabilia. Join the event and support AATE's valuable work.

3
Review: AN IRISH CAROL at Keegan Theatre Photo
Review: AN IRISH CAROL at Keegan Theatre

What did our critic think of AN IRISH CAROL at Keegan Theatre?

4
Dance/USA Highlights Its Round Two Artist Fellows Photo
Dance/USA Highlights Its Round Two Artist Fellows

Dance/USA highlights its Round Two Artist Fellows, featuring a diverse group of artists at the intersection of social and embodied practices. Meet the talented individuals shaping the future of dance and movement-based art for social change.

From This Author - Roger Catlin

Roger Catlin, a member of the American Theatre Critics Association, is a Washington D.C.-based arts writer whose work appears regularly in SmithsonianMagazine.com. and AARP the Magazine. He has a... Roger Catlin">(read more about this author)

Videos


Les Grands Ballets Canadiens in Washington, DC Les Grands Ballets Canadiens
Center for the Arts at George Mason University (2/10-2/10)
Snow Maiden in Washington, DC Snow Maiden
Synetic Theater (12/09-1/06)
Annie (Non-Equity) in Washington, DC Annie (Non-Equity)
National Theatre (1/23-1/28)
Mnozil Brass in Washington, DC Mnozil Brass
Center for the Arts at George Mason University (2/25-2/25)
Fiddler on the Roof in Washington, DC Fiddler on the Roof
Congregation Har Shalom (2/03-2/04)
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra with Isata Kanneh-Mason in Washington, DC Royal Philharmonic Orchestra with Isata Kanneh-Mason
Center for the Arts at George Mason University (1/28-1/28)
StepAfrika! Magical Musical Holiday Step Show in Washington, DC StepAfrika! Magical Musical Holiday Step Show
Fichandler Stage at Arena Stage (12/08-12/17)
Jungle Discovery in Washington, DC Jungle Discovery
Imagination Stage (12/26-1/14)
Cirque Mechanics in Washington, DC Cirque Mechanics
Hylton Performing Arts Center (2/03-2/03)
American Festival Pops Orchestra: Holiday Pops: Songs of the Season in Washington, DC American Festival Pops Orchestra: Holiday Pops: Songs of the Season
Hylton Performing Arts Center (12/08-12/08)
VIEW ALL SHOWS  ADD A SHOW  

Recommended For You