“Before It’s Too Late” premieres at Highland Park’s Outside In Theatre this weekend and runs through October 6 (Photo – Outside In Theatre)
As if parenting, or being a child, weren’t challenging enough, adding two layers of language and culture can take that challenge to the next level. Ecuadorian American storyteller Christopher Moncayo-Torres tackles it all with his parents onstage, beginning with Saturday’s preview of Before It’s Too Late.
By Melanie Hooks
Moncayo-Torres brings his bicultural identity to Highland Park’s Outside In Theatre for a run beginning this weekend, with a Saturday preview continuing through October 6. Though childhood struggles will be part of the discussion, the real crux of the show is the current state of his relationship with both parents. In fact, both will join him during the performance: His father will appear in person, while his mother will participate via video chat from Ecuador.
Since his father was once estranged from him, the live appearance—and stage debut—of Moncayo-Torres’s father, Abel, begs the question: How does a once-strained relationship fit into two lives that are already well underway, especially when one of those lives is 82 years along and centered in Queens, New York?
Equally intriguing is the addition of Nancy Moncayo, Christopher’s mother, who will call into the show each night from her home in Ecuador.
Directed by Bernardo Cubria, the original show will bring Abel and Nancy together to co-parent Christopher for the first time. Its aim is to “unpack their complex relationship throughout this epic evening of attempted belated bonding despite their language barrier, Christopher only knows so much Spanish, and his parents only know so much English.”
With tickets priced at just $25 for Saturday’s preview and $40 for the regular run beginning Sunday, Before It’s Too Late has the potential to be a moving, chaotic, and insightful look at complicated family dynamics that extend well beyond the specifics of one particular family.
Premiere: "Before It's Too Late" Saturday, Sept. 20 - Oct. 6, 2026 Showtimes -- Sat, Mon, Tues: 8:00 pm -- Sun: 3:00 pm Location Outside In Theatre 5317 York Blvd. Los Angeles 90042 Tickets: $25/$40
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