Playwright Oliver Mayer’s “The Man in the Maze” imagines a parallel historical narrative to the murderous conquest of Mexico by Spanish conquistador Hernan Cortes and his soldiers.
“It’s about a man who comes to the Americas as the same time as Cortes,” explained Maria Patrice Amon, producer of the Latinx New Play Festival, opening Friday at La Jolla Playhouse. She’s also director of the public reading of “The Man in the Maze.” “He appreciates the indigenous community, becomes a part of it and embeds himself into the culture. Cortes, of course, takes a different approach.”
Amon said conversations about the play with Mayer began two years ago. The reading at the festival brings the work a step closer to a staged production. “I’m excited that we get to investigate the acts of our history within Latinidad that are not a part of the standard curriculum,” she said, “such as looking at colonialism through the space of what could have been had it gone a different way.”
The staged reading of “The Man in the Maze” will take place at 7 p.m. Saturday. Ricardo Perez Gonzalez’s “Mother of God” will precede it at 3 p.m. Also in this year’s festival: “I never asked for a gofundme” by Jayne Deely, being presented at 7 p.m. Friday. And local actor Sandra Ruiz’s “El Puente/The Bridge” will be presented at 2 p.m. Sunday. Readings are at the Playhouse’s Play Development Center on the UC San Diego campus.
Festival audiences “get to see the breadth of our community,” said Amon, who founded this event, now in its seventh year. “We believe that there is no one perspective that represents all of Latino identity. There is so much diversity within Latino culture.”
More theater
Another staged reading, this one by Carlsbad Playreaders of “Little Women The Musical,” based on the beloved novel by Louisa May Alcott, is happening Monday night at New Village Arts Theatre in Carlsbad.
San Diego theater-goers should recognize some familiar names among the cast and those behind the scenes. They include director Katie Banville and musical director Elan McMahan, and performers Melissa Fernandes, Kürt Norby, Sandy Campbell, Gerilyn Brault and Emma Nossal.
A $5 donation is asked for this 7:30 p.m. event, a bargain if there ever was one.
Standup comedy
Just last week my two favorite standup guys, Jerry Seinfeld and Jim Gaffigan, announced that they’re doing a tandem tour of just 10 cities next year. Lucky us: One of the dates, March 27, will bring them to Pechanga Arena.
How about that? Major acts actually skipping L.A. and coming here?
In the meantime, Seinfeld is appearing solo on Saturday night at Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula. There are two shows: one at 6:30 p.m. and another at 9:30. A nightclub act at 6:30? That’s what I’d call an Early Bird Special.
Author event
It’s a case of back to the future for author Malcolm Gladwell. Nearly a quarter-century after the publication of his first book, “The Tipping Point,” the Canadian-raised journalist has written a sequel for contemporary times: “Revenge of the Tipping Point.” He’ll be talking about it on Monday night at the Balboa Theatre downtown.
Few writers cast as discerning and insightful an eye on social constructs and America at its most troubled than Gladwell. This author appearance is a welcome opportunity to hear what you’ve been reading about.
Pop music
How come Oceanside can build a new arena and San Diego can’t? Oh well. It’s still exciting that the $85 million Frontwave Arena is open for business in Oceanside with its first concert on Saturday night featuring the longtime Sacramento alt-rock band Cake.
If you missed the details about this brand-new venue, revisit Union-Tribune pop music critic George Varga’s feature: Will $85 million Frontwave Arena put Oceanside on map for concerts as well as sporting events? As for Cake, perhaps best known for its catchy, genre-bending single “The Distance,” the band’s been around for more than 30 years. That said, Cake hasn’t released a new studio album since 2011.
At least the venue they’ll be performing in Saturday will be new.
U-T arts stories you may have missed this week
UCTV
University of California Television invites you to enjoy this special selection of programs from throughout the University of California. Descriptions courtesy of and text written by UCTV staff:
“Storytelling for the Screen: ‘Fancy Dance’”
Director and co-writer Erica Tremblay sits down with moderator Lisa Parks to explore the journey behind her acclaimed film, “Fancy Dance.” Set within a Native American community, the film follows a young girl, with the help of her aunt, as she searches for her missing mother. Tremblay discusses how her three-year study of the Cayuga language deeply influenced the film’s narrative and authenticity. The conversation highlights Lily Gladstone’s compelling performance as the determined and loving aunt, and the role of dance as a powerful motif for identity, expression, and healing. They also delve into the film’s celebration of queer identity and its nuanced portrayal of Native culture, offering a fresh perspective on underrepresented communities.
“Can Aging Be Reversed? Stem Cells as a Key to Longevity”
Curious about what happens to our cells as we age and how it affects our health? Shiri Gur-Cohen explores the impact of aging on cellular function by examining epigenetic modifications — tiny chemical tags on our DNA, such as methylation. These tags play a key role in regulating gene expression, influencing healing, regeneration, and overall well-being. Gur-Cohen discusses how bodily systems, particularly the lymphatic system, may shape these epigenetic markers and affect the body’s ability to repair tissues or regenerate damaged parts. By uncovering how these processes change over time, Gur-Cohen suggests we might find innovative ways to slow aging or enhance the body’s natural healing capabilities, opening new possibilities for regenerative medicine and improved health outcomes.
“Spinal Cord Injury and Plasticity: Breathing After Injury”
Michael Lane, Ph.D., shares insights into his research on the impact of cervical spinal cord injury (SCI) on breathing and upper limb function. SCI can impair respiratory function, as the cervical region controls the diaphragm and key respiratory muscles. Lane focuses on “plasticity”—the nervous system’s ability to adapt and reorganize after injury—and how spontaneous functional recovery occurs. He discusses efforts to develop strategies that enhance this plasticity, aiming to improve respiratory function and muscle activity. Lane’s work has significant implications for therapeutic interventions designed to boost recovery and enhance motor and respiratory outcomes for those living with cervical SCI, offering potential for improved quality of life and greater independence.
And finally, top weekend events
