(HOLLYWOOD PRESS CORPS) — Boyle Heights, CA — The Hollywood Press Corps was in attendance for “Dive Bar” at Casa 0101 Theater on Friday, Oct. 16th, at the Gloria Molina Auditorium in Boyle Heights, where director Miguel Delgado introduced a production that turned a neighborhood bar into the setting for a night of lively theater.
The play centers on Mr. Smith, a stranger who arrives at the bar with a startling purpose: He is the Iceman, the Grim Reaper, come to claim the souls of patrons unless they change their lives. Vance Valencia gives the character an unsettling presence, challenging the bar’s regulars and bringing tension to the room.
Gilbert Reynoso plays Goose, an irritating troublemaker whose antics stir up problems. Oscar Vato brings humor to Willie, the ever-available sidekick seemingly never far from an old-fashioned. Martin Morales anchors the production as Charlie, the bartender and bar owner, in a strong performance central to the story. Arezu Tavakoli plays Sam. A cocktail waitress who has to come to terms with her own life choices. It was a great ensemble.
The set, designed by Caesar Ratana Holguin, convincingly evokes a rustic dive bar. A broken television becomes an unexpectedly effective feature, seeming to flicker to life at just the right moments. Costumes by Tony and Gwen add to the atmosphere, from Charlie’s black vest to Willie’s barroom attire.
“Dive Bar” explores the moments when people begin to consider whether it is time to change course. While the play’s portrayal of dive-bar patrons may not speak for every bar, its characters give the story warmth and comic energy.
Casa 0101 is a community theater rooted in Boyle Heights, where local artists tell stories and audiences gather to see them. The well-attended performance offered a welcoming night out, with nearby restaurants and ample parking adding to the appeal of the neighborhood.
