Review by Jeffrey Scott

Green Room Theatre Company Coachella Valley (GRTCCV), debuts Gary Soto’s award-winning Novio Boy and takes it on the road a la gente.

Beginning in La Quinta and continuing on to venues in Thermal and Desert Hot Springs, the touring production brings this comedy of adolescence and ambition told through the lens of its main character, Rudy (played by the talented and charismatic Luis Miguel Ibarra) who may or may not be the autobiographical voice of the author.

The simple set yet complex collection of props by Riley Duthaler and the innovative hair and makeup by Heaven Rodriguez create the scenes for the audience and transport them on a journey of family, relationships, love, and loss, and eventually, celebration and success. A backdrop designed and painted by local artist Michael Angelo Hernandez brings the flavor of East Coachella Valley culture that is highlighted in this production.  The script, which focused on playwright  Gary Soto’s upbringing in Fresno in the 1970s, is masterfully updated by director David Catanzarite (with permission from Soto) to reflect the local experience and iconography of the East Coachella Valley.

Catanzarite and his small ensemble of 9 actors - playing 12 roles - truly deserve a standing-O. Their energy is infectious, delivery of lines is truthful (although sometimes a bit over-the-top), and they win over the audience’s affection through their delightful storytelling.

In addition to the aforementioned Ibarra, other standouts are the outlandish and hilarious performance of Zelaya Divina Sanchez, whose comic timing rivals that of Julian Perez, who commands the stage each and every time he walks onto the colorful set. Perez and fellow musician Ambry Padilla also create some wonderful musical moments throughout the production.

GRTCCV’s Executive Artistic Director David Catanzarite says he hopes to expose more of the community to high-caliber theatre by providing all of the performances free to the public, thanks to an IMPACT Grant from the California Arts Council. According to Catanzarite, “This show is for people of all ages who may not have easy access to theatre. We’re bringing professional theatre to people in their neighborhoods.”

An extra treat for audiences is that each show opens with a ballet folklórico performance by one of Green Room’s partner dance companies, Retoños de Mexico and Ballet Alma Folklórico de Metztli, who appear on alternate weekends.

Novio Boy’s final performance is Saturday, May 13, at 1 p.m. at Grace Church at 17400 Bubbling Wells Road in Desert Hot Springs.

For more information, updates on the performance schedule, or to get involved with GRTCCV, call (760) 696-2546 or visit Green Room Theatre.

Jeffrey Scott is, a former reviewer for BroadwayWorld-Los Angeles, now freelance.