What do facts about the three branches of government established by the U.S. Constitution, details about the Fourth of July, names of American Indian Tribes, U.S. Territory facts, specifically, the Louisiana Purchase and reciting the 13 original colonies all have in common? They are all a part of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration exam that is given to immigrants applying for US citizenship.
Putting the daunting task of a civics lesson to the test, answers to these questions and more can be found at the Kirk Douglas Theater in the play “American Night: The Ballad of Juan Jose,” which opened Sunday night.
The allure of this story is brought to the famed theater by San Diego native, actor and playwright Richard Montoya, co-founder of the 28-year-old Los Angeles-based Latino satirical comedy troupe Culture Clash, notorious for dealing with culture and race differences in America.
Originally commissioned and produced by the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, “American Night” is co-produced between the Los Angeles’ preeminent Center Theatre Group and the La Jolla Playhouse and developed by the acclaimed Culture Clash and Australian director Jo Bonney.
Set against the backdrop of Neil Patel’s transitional set design of words, video projections and graphics, the cast of nine plays more than 80 recognizable and unrecognizable characters during the one hour and forty-five minute play.
Deftly playing the part of Juan Jose by Rene Millan, Juan Jose’s journey to citizenship is an endless stream of dream sequences, where historical events and notable figures that helped shape American history play a starring role.
The immigrant-themed play centers on Mexican-National Juan Jose’s rocky road to U.S. citizenship, determined to secure a better life for his family in America, as he leaves behind his pregnant wife Lydia.
Facing a road of uncertainty, accompanied by a Mariachi trio, Juan Jose sets out on his long, tumultuous journey to American citizenship.
As he prepares to take the cryptic exam by studying the U.S. Citizen’s Almanac and challenging his memory with flash cards, giving impetus to his studies the night before the exam, Juan Jose is exhausted and falls asleep.
Awash in a dream, Juan Jose’s experiences significant events in American history, as the colossal history lesson unfolds with his first introduction to America where he is greeted with The Book of Mormon, a gift given to him by two Mormon elders wearing the hallmark of temple wear, the familiar short-sleeve white dress shirt and tie.
Juan Jose then finds himself with thoughts about his sense of duty to ‘stop the bloodshed,’ when he is in the middle of the signing of the 1848 Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, significant for ending the Mexican-American War.
As his dream transports him to unimaginable places, meeting people he’s never heard of, he encounters famed expeditionists Lewis and Clark with their interpreter, a Nike wearing Sacagawea, the first black Major League Baseball player, Jackie Robinson, offering unsolicited words of wisdom on the perils of segregation, the high-spirited President Teddy Roosevelt, a masked and armed Ku Klux Klan member, Emmett Till, emblematic of Jim Crow laws that helped mobilize the 1960s Civil Rights Movement and a lesson about a World War II Japanese internment camp.
Juan Jose’s more contemporary encounters include, the 1960s hippie generation of Woodstock, featuring protest folk-pop singer Bob Dylan singing his signature tune, “Blowin’ in the Wind,” brilliantly played by Richard Montoya, alongside a pot-smoking Joan Baez, U.S. Border Patrol Agents, the outspoken Arizona Sheriff Joseph Arpaio, a ‘Tea-Party’ supporter with a Lipton tea bag placard dangling from her handbag and answering puzzling questions on a game show resembling ‘Who Wants to be a Millionaire.”
Without rival, the talented cast armed with an arsenal of one-liners features, Stephanie Beatriz as Lydia/Ensemble, personified in various roles as Juan Jose’s wife; Culture Clash co-founder and member Richard Montoya as Juan Jose the First; Rodney Gardiner as Ben Pettus/Ensemble; David Kelly as Harry Bridges/Ensemble; Terri McMahon as Mrs. Finney/Ensemble; Kimberly Scott as Viola Pettus/Ensemble; Culture Clash co-founder and member Herbert Siguenza as Neil Diamante/Ensemble and Daisuke Tsuji as Johnny/Ensemble.
Sharply satirical in tone and pushing the humor envelope, the relevant humor is told in comedy-sketch style, crafting a steady pace, as the director draws on the performer’s imaginary skills.
The lively fast-pace of Juan Jose’s dream transports him not only through time and events, but addresses historical, relevant and current cultural references such as Google, ObamaCare, Wal-Mart and topical filmmaker and political critic Michael Moore.
Ken Roht’s choreography delivers a myriad of moves, especially the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent’s dance routine, with fresh imagination and the accompanied music sets just the right mood.
“American Night: The Ballad of Juan Jose” is a zany comedy that will keep you laughing, inspiring thought-provoking dialogue about America’s past and present.
Juan Jose, welcome to America.
Performances continue to April 1 at the Kirk Douglas Theater (9820 Washington Blvd). For tickets and information, call the Center Theater Group box office or visit www.KirkDouglasTheater.org
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