All the world knows how tough it is to be an immigrant, especially an undocumented immigrant. With his play (Un) Documents, playwright/performer Jesús I. Valles shows an intimate knowledge of the uncertain life that can haunt a family every day when some members have their “papers” while others don’t. And what it means to cross the Rio Grande multiple times. Toss in that he is a self-described queer immigrant who, by the way, is an educator and a writer/performer who boasts impressive honors, awards, and fellowships, and you have a solo performer extraordinaire.
Mr. Valles enters a stage that is strewn with papers on a table and on the floor signifying the reams of immigration papers that bedevil would be citizens and those of immigrant status. Valles commands the stage with non-stop energy as he tells the story of his family, his immigrant mom and dad who work hard at low wage jobs, and an older brother who is abusive and the bane of his existence. Projections by Elizabeth Barrett enhance the performance mightily. And, of course, there is humor in the show for comic relief.
It has been my custom throughout the years of reviewing plays to take notes on a pad of paper. Let me tell you I was totally enwrapped during the performance; glued to it. I took one note: “Projections!”
(Un) Documents is presented by Latino Theater Company, under the Artistic Direction of José Luis Valenzuela.
(Un) Documents runs through November 20 on
Wednesdays; Thursdays; Fridays; Saturdays at 8 pm
and Sundays at 4 pm at
The Los Angeles Theatre Center
514 S. Spring Street
Los Angeles CA 90013
Paul Myrvold's Theatre Notes 