New Carpa Theater Company

by Manuel de Jesús Hernández G.
Arizona State University at Tempe

Reprinted here with permission by the author

[ Note: Since this play is still in production, certain elements of this review have been omitted to avoid "spoilers," or revealing specific plot elements which might give away the dramatic content of the show.
An unedited copy of this review may be provided upon request.
Sections which were edited for spoilers are highlighted in red text. ]

Like the alliance between the United Farm Workers and El Teatro Campesino when the two classics plays Las Dos Caras del Patroncito and Quinta Temporada were produced an they both educated and entertained audiences, the new play The Tears of Lives by James E. García has had an equal effect on pro-immigrant activists and their supporters  in greater Phoenix who are currently facing the cruel and inhumane break up of families by the easy-vote addict Sheriff Joe Arpaio and his so called “crime suppression” raids in the Mexican American and other Latino communities as carried out under Janet Napolitano’s support of the 287(g) provision.

The Tears of Lives portrays the tragedy of Regino Ortega’s family (daughters Olivia and Vanessa, and son Carlos).  [ Section omitted. ]

A one but long act play that heightens the tension felt by the audience, The Tears of Lives reaches an emotional crescendo in two sections where the spectator’s sensibility is challenged by three simultaneous scenes. In one particular one, you have policeman Montoya angrily knocking on the door, inside the apartment Ms. Hamlin and all the children in fear, and Regino Ortega calling from Nogales while being accompanied by a Mexican police who wants his mordida or bribe.

The [ play's conclusion ] features [ a scene ] where Arizona State Representative Leticia Castro decries Arizona anti-immigrant legislators and their anti-human rights legislation, and Regino Ortega explains his undocumented status as a parent’s loving struggle to provide food for the family and find them opportunities to succeed as American citizens, which is the case of Vanessa and little Carlos.  On the sidelines is ICE agent Rodino who is meant on deporting all [ of the ] family members, including Vanessa who was born in Phoenix, Arizona.

Prior to the play’s opening, twelve year Catarina Figueroa, whose parents where both arrested by Sheriff Joe Arpaio in a recent infamous raid, took the stage and asked for help before breaking into tears.

After the play, there was a question and answer period with the playwright James E. García and activist Salvador Reza.  Roberto Reveles, former President of We Are America / Somos América, praised The Tears of Our Lives for dramatically portraying the suffering currently faced by families in Phoenix. He also recommended that endangered parents, facing possible detention in one of Arpaio’s racially profiling arrests, should leave on a refrigerator a list of contacts for their children and should have ready an emergency fund to leave them. Many other questions were made and answered, but eventually the session ended because the theater Playhouse on the Park had to be vacated.

The play’s premiere has earned great support from theater goers in greater Phoenix.  Originally programmed for two performances (one on Friday at 7:30 p.m. and one on Saturday at 2:30 p.m.), two evening showings have been added: today Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and tomorrow Sunday at 7:30 p.m.

For ticket information, please write or call:  www.newcarpa.org, info@newcarpa.org, or 623-252-2772.

[ Since the time of this review, additional performances have been added for August 21-23 -- see www.newcarpa.org for details. ]