“Melancholia” At The New LATC- What Comes After The war?

The Latino Theater Company presents the play ‘Melancholia,’ at the NEW LA Theater Center as part of its International Festival of Theater and Dance. This abstract depiction of life after returning from the Iraq war zone brings reality to our doorstep. Very “Jacob’s Ladder” and “The Men,” this performance examines this topic from a Latino perspective, raising the question: Is our fight abroad helping to keep the effects of war OUT of the U.S., or is it guaranteeing the entrance of such a presence “Melancholia” suggests the latter, and through the tale of a young Latino man’s experience we are brought face to face with the struggles that make coming home, in the eyes of some soldiers, worse than death. Post-traumatic stress disorder, shell shock, alcoholism and depression are only a few of the challenges awaiting fresh veterans upon returning to the U.S.

‘Melancholia’ is an artistic rendition of a hot topic on the minds of many: the Iraq War. This play is a combination of music, dance and drama, characterized by Latino culture and an original manifestation of the psyche of young, returning veterans. The costumes are everything from camouflage patterns and flashy suits, to wedding dresses complete with skeleton masks. There are moments of suspense, confusion, fear, and sympathy, but most importantly there is the on-going question posed: Why did we send this young man into such an emotionally destructive environment? One character, an older homeless veteran, comments that upon his return his family, like the family of the young Latino veteran, congratulated him passionately, not for what he had done – he added that they did not care to know—but rather for representing something they wanted to believe in.

The cast of ‘Melancholia’ is particularly moving in that the members are all young people who, in the case that a draft was enforced, would most definitely be affected. This factor is also representative of how involved and aware the youth of our country are today and how creative they are capable of being in voicing their opinions and beliefs. Cast members include Geoffrey Rivas, Lucy Rodriguez, Fidel Gomez, Cheryl Umana, Greg Gastelum, Germaine De Leon, Ramiro Segovia, Tonantzin Esparza, Hugo Medina, and Esperanza Ibarra, and director Jose Luis Valenzuela. Mr. Valenzuela is also the Artistic Director of the Latino Theater Co. and a Professor at UCLA.

‘Melancholia’ will be playing at the LATC through November 11th. Come out to see this show both for the heavy impact it will undoubtedly have on you, as well as to see the newly reborn LATC in the midst of its Grand Opening festival.