“The Fence” delves into the issues of border control and immigration, but fails to live up to its comedic potential due to an amateur cast.
DIANA ALVAREZ
Staff Writer
When you mix an excellent idea with individuals who vary in talent, they produce a blunder, and that is exactly what happened with “The Fence,” a play that attempts to break the tension between the Tex-Mex borders.
Despite its shortcomings, the play is still a must-see to get a different perspectives on one of the most important issues of our time.
The show opened Sept. 28 in Hollywood at the Underground Theatre and plays until Nov. 5. The play centers on a fence that suddenly appears on the United States-Mexico border and how it affects the individuals who cross it. The play provides insight into different issues such as the American Free Trade Association, media, drugs, rules and regulations cultural differences, and the daily struggles of families through various scenarios played out by the actors.
The script had a lot of potential especially with the ongoing debate about immigration, but the play’s ideas were eclipsed by the actors’ undeveloped skills.
The play begins with a woman named Gin who crosses the border every day as she works in the United States and lives in Mexico where she is able to afford housing with her wages. One night while crossing back into Mexico, Gin finds herself being harassed by a fence and an intriguing voice that transcends through a loud speaker. As the drama continues, more individuals are confronted with “the fence” as they try to cross it into either the United States or Mexico. The play’s twisted end leaves the audience wondering “What side are you on?”
“The Fence,” written and directed by Johanna Siegmann, features Angelica Pulido (Gin), Livia Trevino (Gin’s mother-in-law), Carlos Antonio (Jojo, Gin’s unemployed husband), Adriana Milan (Chacha), and more than half a dozen supporting characters. The play had a few professional actors but many were apparent neophytes who lacked the experience needed to deliver a stunning performance. With more practice in both their lines and stage presence the play could have lived up to the hype.
However, performances by Milan, Jody Miller (Hector), Elena Bonifaz (a female reporter), and Ronnie Alvarez and Michael Zephan (two hoodlums) were exceptional. Though Milan is a young actress in Hollywood, she was outstanding, playing her part as the Mexican “cholita” a gangster girl who she played with great attitude. The voice over by Mueen Jahan, who played Officer Wilcox of the border patrol, was pleasing and believable as it acted as a type of guardian.
The play’s concept is true to the time period but offers audiences a lighter way of looking at what has become a reality.
“Fence” fell short of its goal to be a satirical play as the audience watched intensely waiting for the moment to break into laughter. Instead there were only a couple of scattered giggles while the ominous sound of crickets chirping fell on the audience when the wittiness of the actors’ lines did not pan out. Some of the actors took long pauses between exchanges of dialogue and as a result the supposedly witty comments were ineffective. With more practice and effort the amateur cast could have had a stronger performance.
“The Fence” is playing at the Underground Theatre at 1312 Wilton Place in Hollywood until Nov. 5. General admission costs $20. For tickets call the box office at (323) 960-7784.
10-26-2006
