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Prototype Issue

Cesar and Ruben: The Musical Kicking it in Noho

Posted by LatinaLady

We want to be recognized, yes, but not with a glowing epitaph on our tombstone..." ---Cesar Chavez

Cesar and Ruben – NoHo Arts Center 11136 Magnolia Blvd. North Hollywood

Cesar Estrada Chavez, the ‘Chicano Moses;’ father of the United Farmworker’s Union and eight children, is lovingly remembered, not with an epitaph, but with music and words in Ed Begley Jr.’s heartfelt musical play; Cesar and Ruben, now playing at the NoHo Arts Center.

To say that writer/director/producer Ed Begley is emotionally invested in esar and Ruben is an understatement; the lovable leftwinger met his hero, Chavez, in the mid 80’s and mournfully carried his coffin in ’93.

‘Cesar and Ruben’ comes from a place of good intentions; well-honed, it could run forever, playing to audiences, small and large, touring and in schools, to those who need to remember their past and stay inspired for the future.

Cesar Chavez died on 23 April 1993, at the age of 66, in the border town of San Luis, Arizona, 22 miles from Yuma where he was born. According to Begley, Cesar [played charismatically by the well-cast Danny Bolero] didn’t go straight to heaven. He went first to purgatory; AKA East Los, to listen to the ‘music of his life.’ He’s met by long dead journalist, Ruben Salazar [embodied by the dashing Mauricio Mendoza] in the Silver Dollar Café where Salazar died at the age of 42, on August 29, 1970. One of the most well-known Latino journalists of the 20th century, Salazar cut his teeth on controversy at the Los Angeles Times; and at the time of his murder, he was news director at KMEX. Ruben was covering the massive Chicano moratorium protests against the Vietnam War when Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputy Tom Wilson fired a projectile into the Silver Dollar, hitting Salazar in the head and killing him instantly.

Chavez enters the Silver Dollar with a different kind of head trauma; after two days of grueling examination by attorneys for Bruce Church Inc., in the multimillion dollar suit AFL-CIO was waging against the corporation, he breathed his last, in his sleep, leaving unfinished business. Cesar and Ruben’s paths had crossed before this halfway house reunion; it has been deemed Salazar’s honor to introduce Chavez’ noble spirit to the ‘idea’ of death, and the afterlife. Cesar also has a final life’s lesson to impart to Salazar, but we are first taken through Cesar’s life story as a prelude.

Now imagine this set to popular music by artists, including Santana, Peter Gabriel, Enrique Iglesias… with dance and evocative audiovisuals. It’s a mini Chicano history lesson packed into two hours. Highly suitable for young audiences, this could awaken the appetites and pride of kids who don’t know Cesar Chavez from Julius Caesar, or Ruben Salazar from Ruben Blades. It’s hard not to be moved by this story of the man who left school after the eighth grade to help support his family, and went on to become one of the world’s giants of non violent protest. Chavez was a brilliant, humble man, an insatiable reader; an inspired organizer, and much more.

Begley has found a nice balance of his Cesar in Danny Bolero. Danny Bolero’s fine characterization does justice to the humility and warmth of Chavez. Classy Mauricio Mendoza brings an uplifting grace and energetic dignity to Salazar. Neither of these guys should try out for the LA Opera, but for intimate theater their voices are fine. They could even relax a little and stop going for the fancy high notes, and leave that to the girls; of which they are plenty.

In fact; the small stage at the NoHo is at times overrun with bodies, and possibly a few less dancers in some scenes would be just as effective. Chrissy Guerrero’s portrayal and pale visage seems a bit fragile for a sun-burned migrant working mother of eight, the powerful Helen Chavez, but her voice is sweet and carries well. As the evil Naylor, the son-of-a-bitch slave-driving migrant worker boss, stage vet Gustavo Rex is believably bastardly; his inner sneer gets your guts churning.

Begley’s sense of the absurd shines in a parody musical number about pesticides, complete with gas masks. The stage can use a few more mikes, so that we can hear the words sung over the music. One of the best numbers in the show is No Mea Culpa; “Please Forgive Me;” here the voices, choreography and mood harmonize and mesmerize; a good watermark for scene length and balance.

Although among his historical peers; he alone died peacefully- Cesar ranks with Gandhi, Kennedy and King as risk takers of the first order. Robert Kennedy called Chavez ‘a heroic figure,’ and so Cesar and Ruben would not be complete without him. Actor Nicholas Guest elegantly interprets RFK, stopping mercifully short of impersonation. Excellent character actor Jack McGee is a natural as the legendary labor leader Fred Ross. Lead dancer/singer Al Coronel makes a good splash as well. The female dancers seem a tad ‘showgirlish’ and tall for field workers; more like Top Model 2007 and not nearly migrant-earthy enough, so that’s a bit distracting, and the women’s costumes need to be more consistently period. There’s nothing that can’t be fixed with a budget and a sharp eye to details.

In all, Begley’s evocative work moves with energy, humor, and a light spirited approach that engages audiences full circle from the fateful day of Chavez’ passing, to the triumphs of Chavez’ remarkable life. Cesar and Ruben deserves a good run, a big theater, live music, and audience support as a testament to the contributions of these two men, and the potential that lies within us all.

“We need to help students and parents cherish and preserve the ethnic and cultural diversity that nourishes and strengthens this community – and this nation.” - Cesar Chavez

To order tickets call 818-508-7101 or www.thenohoartscenter.com.