How far would you go to defend the object of your desire?
Well in the Spanish black comedy Frijoles Colorados (Red Beans), one couple will go to any lengths to protect their most prized possession, a pot of red beans.
Frijoles Colorados is the latest production by Manhattan-based Retablos Hispanic Theater. The company is bringing the comedy for a one-night performance at Jose Marti Middle School this Thursday, in conjunction with the Union City-based Grace Theater Company.
“We opened this play in New York and after that we did a run in Hartford, CT,” said Gabriel Goces, executive and artistic director for Retablo. “Now we are doing this with the Grace Theater and we’re really very happy to have this opportunity to take our productions out to the Hispanic community in New Jersey.”
Founded in 1993, Retablo Hispanic Theater is dedicated to producing professional English and Spanish productions by contemporary Hispanic authors from throughout the United States and Europe.
“Our interest is to get theater into other areas, and meet other audiences to promote our Hispanic culture, and hopefully wake that interest in the performing arts,” said Gorces. “We hope this interchange will be the beginning of bringing more community theater to this area.”
Universal story
Frijoles Colorados was written by Cuban American playwright Christina Rubell.
“Our primary focus is to expose pieces written by Hispanic playwrights in America, Latin America and the Caribbean,” said Gorces.
According to Gorces, Frijoles Colorados is a very universal piece, inspired by Rubell’s family, which relates to anyone who has lived under an oppressive society.
The story is about a couple, Federico and Matilde, who live in a mansion and are waiting for the pressure cooker to chime on their red beans, which have taken a “century” to cook.
While waiting, they begin to hear noises coming from within the mansion, and are concerned that an intruder has come in to steal their precious red beans.
“It’s an absurdist black comedy,” said Gorces, who plays Federico. “Even though the situation makes you laugh, the story is about these people and what they go through to protect their [most prized possession].”
The story is about the struggle of these two people and their fears of losing the one possession they have, and what they do to defend it. The intruder represents the oppressors, the couple represents society, and the beans represent ideals such as free speech and expression.
“Even though this story is not specifically political, it has to do with being able to express yourself, and what you do and what you say. It is presented in a very comical way,” said Gorces. “Basically anyone who has lived in a country under a system where they have been oppressed can relate to this story. It’s black humor that sends a message.”
Despite the story’s serious undertones, it still maintains an absurdist comical representation.
Even the banter between the two characters focuses on culinary descriptions.
For example, the two shell out insults such as “you are a plate of fried yucca without seasoning at 11o’clock at night!” and “you are watered down beans without salt, garlic or onions!”
“Beyond the message, it’s a very entertaining play that audiences can enjoy,” said Gorces.
Bringing Hispanic theater to the community
Retablo Hispanic Theater puts on three productions a year, primarily in Spanish, and tours them around the surrounding tri-state area. Some of Retablo’s productions are also translated into English.
We have an interest to work not only with the Hispanic community, but with other communities,” said Gorces. Retablos has performed in other areas of New Jersey, but this is their first time in Hudson County. They have also performed in Connecticut.
As far as any future productions in Hudson County, Gorces hopes they can continue to work with the Grace Theatre Company and other local theater groups.
“Hopefully we will be invited back. We wish to express our appreciation and give thanks to Megan Fernandez, director of the Grace Theater Company, for this opportunity,” said Gorces. “The idea we have is that every time we present something in New York, we can bring it to New Jersey.”
Their next production in New York, entitled Defensa de Dama (A Lady’s Defense), will be out this November. For more information, visit www.retablosproductions.org. To comment on this story, e-mail Jessica Rosero at jrosero@hudsonreporter.com.