The Other Americans, Fichandler Theatre, Arena Stage, Washington, DC

 


L to R: Bradley James Tejeda (Eddie), Luna Lauren Velez (Patti), Rosa Arredondo (Norma), Rebecca Jimenez {Toni), and John Leguizamo (Nelson) in The Other Americans. Photo by T. Charles Erickson Photography.

John Leguizamo is a multimedia multi-hyphenate: a stand-up comedian, actor, monologist, social activist, voiceover artist, host, and playwright whose work has been seen on the stage as well as in film and television. He wrote and is currently appearing in the current offering at Arena Stage, The Other Americans, in its world premiere run (continuing through November 24).

It is 1998. The Other Americans focuses on an upwardly mobile Colombian/Puerto Rican family who have moved from Jackson Heights, Queens, to Forest Hills, Queens. Leguizamo stars as Nelson Castro, the family patriarch, who owns and operates a number of laundromats in New York City. Nelson instigated the move from the cramped apartment in Jackson Heights to the house in a tonier neighborhood over the objections of wife Patti and his children, who were more comfortable living near other members of the Latin community. One of Nelson’s most recent additions to the new property has been the installation of a pool, which he expects will be welcomed by Nicky, who was a champion swimmer.

John Leguizamo as Nelson and Luna Lauren Velez as Patti in The Other Americans. Photo by T. Charles Erickson Photography.

When we first meet the Castros, they are anxiously awaiting the return of Nicky, whom we learn has been in a residential treatment center for mental health patients. Patti has planned and is preparing a festive dinner, complete with some of Nicky’s favorites, though the pressure of his return and her nervousness causes her to burn some of what she is preparing. In addition to his parents, Nicky’s sister Toni and her fiancé Eddie, his father’s sister Norma, and family friend Veronica are also in attendance.

It quickly becomes apparent that Nicky’s return is a set-back to his still-tenuous recovery. During his absence, he has changed: his mother is aghast that he has become a vegetarian (thus ruining her plans for the dinner) and his father that, instead of taking over his father’s laundromat business, he wants to be a choreographer.

Family dynamics are front-and-center, including husband/wife, parent/child, and brother/sister. Nelson and Patti appear to have a loving compatibility, showing off their dance moves in fun reenactments of their successes on the dance floor. They mean well, but they are not successful in being supportive of Nicky: their vision of his future and his vision hardly intersect. Sister Toni is alternately empathetic with and conflicted with Nicky, demonstrating both sibling affection and sibling rivalry. Like Nicky, she is seeking escape from their overbearing parents by marrying Eddie and moving to the west coast. Similarly, there is a brother/sister dynamic between Nelson and his sister Norma: he is a schemer trying to persuade her to give him (another) loan. He is jealous that Norma’s inheritance from their father consisted of “better” laundromats than the ones he received, more profitable, in more affluent neighborhoods, etc.

Much of Leguizamo’s early career was made on his writing and performing autobiographical one-person plays including the Tony-nominated Freak, Sexaholix, and Latin History for Morons (he won an Emmy for Outstanding Performance in a Variety Special for the television production of Freak). The Other Americans provides him with an opportunity to create for himself a role that includes aspects of his own history and personality, giving him a chance to earn plenty of laughs early in the evening, but also to show off his dramatic chops later in the play when the comedic façade is replaced as some of the character’s more nefarious actions are exposed. As one might expect, Leguizamo commands the stage whenever he is on it, but he works well as a member of the ensemble. His is a sincere, disciplined performance.


Luna Lauren Velez as Patti and Leguizamo as Nelson  in The Other Americans. Photo by T. Charles Erickson Photography.

Luna Lauren Velez as Patti is a worthy partner to Leguizamo’s Nelson. Velez expertly portrays Patti’s stress in preparing for Nelson’s return. Despite their estrangement, Velez makes it apparent that Patti loves her son and has a deep relationship with him, even though her tendency is to smother him. Velez as Patti is alternatively flirty, overprotective, and trusting, before, finally, demonstrating her own power and asserting her independence.


Rebecca Jimenez as Toni and Trey Santiago-Hudson as Nicky in The Other Americans. Photo by T. Charles Erickson Photography.

Trey Santiago-Hudson as the troubled, recovering Nicky earns sympathy as a character before he even appears. Although there are flashes of humor, his road to recovery is tenuous at best. Santiago-Hudson’s performance is earnest and emotional, if perhaps a bit overwrought. Rebecca Jimenez’s Toni is relatable as the sister split between her parents and her fiancé, as well as her parents and her brother. The sibling relationship between the characters is completely believable, especially as they play backgammon in an attempt to return to some sense of normalcy in their conflicted environment.

Rosa Arredondo makes a strong impression as Nelson’s sister Norma, who contrasts with Leguizamo’s Nelson. Arredondo’s Norma is financially successful and without remorse as she denies her brother’s loan request. Arredondo conveys a great deal of attitude through a look, assisted by stylish and striking costumes (designed by Kara Harmon). Sarah Nina Hayon as former neighbor Veronica has a less-defined but sympathetic role. Hayon makes the most of her limited stage time.


Trey Santiago-Hudson as Nicky and John Leguizamo as Nelson in The Other Americans. Photo by T. Charles Erickson Photography.

Ruben Santiago-Hudson directs the play, eliciting outstanding, committed performances from each member of the cast and skillfully coordinating the work of the outstanding design team. I was especially impressed with the thoughtful, thoroughly detailed set design by Arnulfo Maldonado, based on the opening set alone. The living room, dining room, and kitchen of the Nelson’s home look and feel “lived in.” Subsequent reveals of other settings (which I will not identify because of the impact the reveal provides) emphasize the ingenuity of the designer and the skills of Arena’s technical theatre staff.

Kara Harmon’s costumes suit the characters and the period: I was particularly taken with the costumes for Rosa Arredondo as Norma, which establish essential differences between Norma and brother Nelson. Jen Schriever’s lighting design effectively directs our attention to different areas of the stage.

The play’s program includes photos of a number of Arena’s past productions dealing with American families including A Delicate Balance, A Raisin in the Sun, Death of a Salesman, and Fences.  Most of the plays include a flawed patriarch who may or may not learn from his experiences and subsequently make changes. The Other Americans fits firmly into this group.

So why is this The Other Americans? Specifically, what is “other” here and why does it matter? The “other”-ness shares more with the Lorraine Hansberry and August Wilson works than with the works by Edward Albee and Arthur Miller: as members of a racial/ethnic minority, the characters experience and face their pasts in light of assaults (in this case, literal and figurative) and discrimination. Nelson’s lack of “redemption” may be disappointing, but it is probably more realistic than achieving a 180-degree change: he is who he is, flaws included, and despite tragic events, he always will be.

Whether The Other Americans will take its place in the American family pantheon is yet to be determined. It is a thoughtful glimpse into the lives of one specific family we rarely see onstage.


Rebecca Jimenez (Toni), Rosa Arredondo (Norma), and Sarah Nina Hayon (Veronica) in The Other Americans. Photo by T. Charles Erickson Photography.

 


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