APRIL 6. 2007
IUStlOUt37
theater
Culture Clash
503 233-9224
www. wabigallery. net
wabigallery@'aol.com
Wa b i
Gay director helms Spanish-language dramedy
by Stephen Blair
320b SE Hawthorn«* Blvd. Portland. Oregon 97214
assion trumped practicality when gay
ing openly about his childhood and his personal
theater director Daniel Jaquez decided
life. He speaks fondly of James Love, his partner for
P
what he really wanted to do with his life. , the past four years. “I’ve had so many partners over
Raised in Juárez, Mexico, he earned
the years," he says. “This relationship is about com
a degree in mathematics at University of
mitment and working through problems and
Texas and became a successful actuary. “ becoming
Then
more compatible.”
1 started taking acting lessons in New York,” he
IXiring the past six years Jaquez has grown quite
explains. Smitten with stagecraft, he kissed his
fond of Portland. “It’s a small big city or a big small
steady
goodbye
paychecks
and
city—I’m not sure which," he says.
became a New York-based freelance
“I like it because it’s liberal and
director.
open, and I have opportunities to
“I call myself a New York direc
“It’s
just
for
FREE. LOCAL. NOW.
know artists here. It’s not as oppres
tor, but I live in Connecticut,” he
clarifies.
justoutpersonals.com
Close in City 3-fomes
sive as 1 thought it would be.”
business
Though he’s clearly proud of
purposes for pretentious people who
Latino productions he’s done with
Whether tjou are
only hire New York directors.”
Miracle and Artists Rep, Jaquez
buying or .‘telling a
Jaquez has worked on and off in
worries that he might have painted
home, it help» to have
Portland since he did a residency with
himself into a comer. “Now I'm only
someone who know»
Miracle Theatre Group in 2001. He
being hired to do Latino theater," he
the community on your
won a directing Drammy for Miracle’s
says. To potentially broaden his
production of Icarus that year, and in
Portland theater options for the
2003 he directed the compelling Two
future, he hopes to network with
Sisters and a Piano for Artists Repertory
Portland Center Stage and other
Theatre.
Daniel Jaquez
Prior
to
becoming
artistic
mainstream companies.
Vargas Llosa and Tennessee Williams as some of his
Sanchez met Jaquez through the Lincoln Center
favorite playwrights. He has never written a full-
Director’s Lab in New York and suggested he kx>k
length play, though he has taken playwriting class
into directing opportunities at Miracle.
es and has written many individual scenes. “I need
handle all kinds of material from a classically stylized
draft to come out on the first try," he says.
For now he’s happy to stick with directing.
ing director, very respectful toward the actors, the
“I’m a very physical director,” he says. “1 see actors
Now he’s working with Miracle again for a pro
duction of Rosalba y los Llaveros, a 1949 dramedy by
as athletes. They need to build stamina so their KxJ-
there with them as a cheerleader and a motivator."
As a general rule he likes to take off his direc
play will be performed by Teatro Español, a division
tor’s cap when he goes to see a play. “I like to lie
of Miracle that has the distinction of being the only
back and let it take me as an audience member.
Spanish-language acting ensemble in the Pacific
But,” he admits, “that’s hard to do if there are
horrible problems with the production." ©
ances will be subtitled.
In the play Rosalba is an educated and arrogant
Llaveros through April 28 at 525 S.E. Stark St.
er to visit relatives in rural Veracruz. In her campaign
Tickets are $15-$ 18 from 503-236-7253.
to illuminate the lives of these country dwellers, she
“All the characters grow because of the con
flict," Jáquez says. “Rosalba affects her relatives
K^evin
SSI9 900
SI 330.000
Wndermere
Cell: 503-491-4400
Office 503-284-7755
kevindeanQwindennerv.com
Croon A Caplan Realty Group Inc
Progress.
Excel.
Achieve.
For every Portland police officer,
there is a story...
Willie Halliburton
Detective
"To make community policing work, it's
important that we mirror our community.
Therefore, we have to be aggressive in
recruiting minorities and women in order to
achieve that goal."
M iracle T heatre G roup presents Rosalba y Ios
young woman from Mexico City who joins her moth
tells some lies and exposes some family secrets.
needs.
ies get used to the high energy level. I’m always up
prolific Mexican playwright Emilio Carballido. The
Northwest. Thursday, Friday and Sunday perform
with your real estate
In Ih* Heart of Elegant Overlook
Artistic renovMion of classic J bedroom 2
belli cape cod, cooks kitchen with slab
granite, stainless appliances, Formal
living room and dining room large runny
rooms tons of doset/storagc/ built-ms,
refinished hardwood, remodeled baths,
Iowa level family room, with 2nd
firqilacc, new electrical, plumbing, roof,
private location near blufT, A. park.
to mature more as a writer and not expect the final
drama to a near-farcical comedy. He is a very nurtur
designers and the whole production team.”
honored to help you
Jaquez names Chekhov, Mario
director of Miracle Theatre Group in 2003, Olga
“Daniel is very versatile," she notes. “He’s able to
»ide. | would I jc
West lulls Contemporary
linjoy the valley views from this
exceptional 4Hd/2 1 Ha home Gourmet
kitchai with slab granite countas.
Stainless appliances, wine chi I la, mam
floor masta suite, 1 fireplaces, and huge
deck Dramatic opoi spaces, custom hi-end
finishes, tanpaaturc controlled wine
room, incredible garden with 2 watc
features truly one of a kind1 Sought alia
location close to downtown and OlfSl,'
Join us and write the
next chapter.
Portland freelance writer STEPHEN BLAIR directed a
play in college that used a Rubik’s Cube, a toy gun
and a huge cardboard box as props.
with her Mexico City
“I’m,AVAILABLE
when y ou art
ways, and they prove
that countryside moral
ity is just fine, too."
Jáquez sees elements
of British sitcoms and
Careful and energetic handling of
all your home financing needs
Anton Chekhov dramas
in Rosalba, with a dash
of
Green
Acres
to
ratchet up the silliness.
“It’s a gixxJ chance to
laugh
and
explore
6700 SW 105th Ave., Suite 200 Beaverton, ( )R 97005
Toll Free («77) «260)00 Fax (503) 297-0K24
E-Mail: colkxiiwQ mtgadxcx~ates.com www.mtgac hi x~ates.com
societal relationships in
Mexican culture. These
boundaries still exist.”
Jáquez has an open
and often funny con
versational style, talk-
When a Mexico City girl visits her Veracruz relatives, she begins to
unlock many family secrets in Rosalba y Ios Llaveros through April 28 at
Miracle Theatre.
•«
Colleen Weed
office 503»297«9900
Cell 503*780»1561