Sweet solo show
Ponder the title “Gaytino!” What image does it conjure, especially when one knows it’s playing at Diversionary, San Diego’s Gay and Lesbian Theatre?
Forget any image of youthful and frolicsome gay Latinos that may come to mind. Dan Guerrero, who stars in the show of his own devising, may be engaging and gifted with the moves, but he’s 65 now and proud of it. Clad in attractively tailored, cream-colored shirt and baggy, rust-colored trousers redolent of Zoot Suit, he’s a most engaging performer and storyteller. Plus he sings and dances. (He studied with Martha Graham as a youth and the assurance shines through every move, whether samba, salsa or disco beat.)
The story is Guerrero’s life. He was born in East L.A., the son of Mexican songwriter and eventual Presidential Medal of Arts recipient Lalo Guerrero, who’s been called the Father of Chicano music. But that was back in the days before “people of Mexican descent” who live in America began calling themselves Chicano, long before the Delano farm workers’ strike and the rise of Cesar Chavez and Luis Valdez’ Teatro Campesino.
All little Danny knew was that when he was called “Mexican” he felt accused. Later, when he was called “queer” ” long before he knew he was ” he felt that negative connotation as well. His best friend was Carlos, the only other Mexican kid in his school. When they graduated high school, Dan persuaded Carlos to go to New York with him. Dan studied dance, singing and acting, and Carlos went to art school and eventually returned to L.A. to achieve fame as a Chicano muralist. Dan stayed in New York for decades before returning to L.A. to become a “born again Latino.”
All one has to be is human to be touched by this show, and those steeped in la raza reap double delight.
Staged by Diane Rodriguez, a veteran of Teatro Campesino and both the stage and screen versions of “Zoot Suit,” “Gaytino!” comes to Diversionary following an acclaimed run in Los Angeles at Center Theatre Group’s “Solomania” festival. A must-see, it continues at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday, through Oct. 1. For more information, visit www.diversionary.org or call (619) 220-0097.
How high the moon
An easeful, fabulously talented Broadway veteran, Tina Fabrique lights up San Diego Repertory Theatre in the title role of playwright Jeffrey Hatcher’s “Ella,” a biographical sketch of the great scat singer with 25 songs. Despite the wall-to-wall tunes, the show is loaded with information, dispensed casually by the singer as she prepares for an important engagement in France.
With her expressive eyes, Fabrique is equally adept at imparting the emotional ups and downs and sacrifices of a life spent on the road. All Fitzgerald ever wanted to do is sing, and from Fabrique’s indefatigable, seemingly effortless performance, one gathers that this is her desire as well.
She’s backed up by a fabulous jazz quartet conducted by George Caldwell on piano. Trumpeter Brian “Lord” Sledge livens up the second act when he steps from the band to impersonate Louis Armstrong in a duet with Ella. Fabrique sings and scats the heck out of everything. Favorite among the wonders are Johnny Mercer and Harold Arlen’s “That Old Black Magic,” Irving Berlin’s “Blue Skies,” and George Gershwin’s “The Man I Love.”
Michael Micelli’s sound design is outstanding and so is the smooth staging of Bob Ruggerio, who conceived the show with Dyke Garrison. Musical direction and arrangements are the fruits of Danny Holgate.
Don’t miss this show if you love good singing and Ella. It continues through Oct. 15 at the Lyceum Theatre, San Diego Repertory Theatre, Horton Plaza. For information, visit www.sandiegorep.com or call (619) 544-1000.
