Teatro de la Luna kicked off its minifestival of international theater called the Moon’s Embrace with a play about immigration that transcends issues of borders and nationalities. “El Inmigrante” (“The Immigrant”), written and performed by Cesar Melendez, is a dynamic piece that touches on love, despair, religion, joy, anger and social inequality, all in under two hours.
“El Inmigrante,” from La Polea Theater Group in Costa Rica, is based on the true story of a Nicaraguan laborer coming to Costa Rica to find work, in order to send money back to his wife. The play begins with projected images of anti-Nicaraguan graffiti, and the disembodied voices of anti-Nicaraguan slurs.
In the first scene, an immigrant worker, Jose Mejia Espinoza (Melendez), comes limping home from his first day of employment at a construction site. As the monologue progresses, it becomes apparent that the worker’s boss paid him and took him to a pub, then left him there to fend for himself among many Costa Ricans who resented his presence in their country.
| Onstage |
| The Moon’s Embrace Festival |
| Where: Teatro de La Luna, Gunston Arts Center, Theatre II, 2700 South Lang St., Arlington |
| When: Through March 17; See website for dates and times. |
| Info: $30 to $35; 703-548-3092; teatrodelaluna.org; in Spanish with simultaneous translation into English. |
Espinoza explains how he defended himself before the people in the pub. He told them why he came to their country, why he needed a job. He discussed the necessity of having immigrants in a country where no one wants to do menial tasks. He talked about the importance of valuing native cultures. And when he was done expressing his views openly, 20 men violently set upon him.
Melendez, who is an extraordinarily gifted physical actor, describes by his contortions just what happened to him, making it abundantly clear why he limped home in a blood-splattered shirt and jeans in the first scene.
There are a few stunning moments near the end of “El Inmigrante” where Espinoza recalls the first time he tried to get to Costa Rica with his wife and daughter. With audiovisual support from Morcio Films, it’s a long, moving scene in which the sound of a river and of a bird accompany Espinoza’s Melendez, who directs “El Inmigrante” in great swirls of passionate language, with only a few well-placed pauses in the dense, action-packed script.
In the end, this play is an inspiring work about a man and his faith, a singular man whose humor, toughness, intelligence and humility keep him from being abstracted from the world in any way. This Espinoza is a Nicaraguan everyman, capable of living on life’s difficult terms.
The next plays in the festival are from Spain, Argentina and Uruguay.
