REVIEW – “The Cruise”

The Cruise at LATC (Grettel Cortes Photography).

Advertised as a “socio-political comedy set on board a luxury ocean liner, exploring themes of identity and its relationship to history,” this play lived up to that premise.

By Carol Edger Germain

The primary relationship from which the others evolve is the relationship of a father, Ramon (Ric Salinas) and a son, James (Kenneth Miles Ellington Lopez). Throughout their “bonding cruise,” the pair interact with the nouveau riche Judith and her husband Howard (Carolyn Amos and Gary Lamb), whose activities on board are primarily focused on furthering Judith’s conservative political agenda and meeting the “right people” to do so. Howard seems to just be trying to have a relaxing, romantic vacation, but Judith’s obsession drives their activities. My favorite character was the flamboyantly gay cruise director, Boyd (Brian Wallace), who has history with some of the cruisers and is called upon to distract them from potential scandals on the ship and maintain the party atmosphere.

There is comedy, drama, and interesting intertwining among the characters, but I felt that the play needed some work on the dialogue and merging of the characters, it was a bit choppy from scene to scene. I am a big fan of Ric Salinas from his work with the socio-political comedy group Culture Clash, and enjoyed seeing him in this role.

The Cruise Play (Photo – Grettel Cortes Photography).

The Cruise
• Written by Jonathan Ceniceroz
• Directed by Heath Cullens
• Produced by The Latino Theater Company
The Los Angles Theatre Center
514 S. Spring St., Los Angeles CA 90013.
– Metered parking available on streets surrounding the theater.
– Parking lots range in price from $6 – $12.
– Take the Metro: nearest stop is Pershing Square (two blocks west of The LATC).
• Saturday, April 8: 8:00 p.m.
• Sunday, April 9: 3:00 p.m.
• General Admission: $22-$38.
• Buy tickets here.