This year marks the 7th Destinos International Latino Theater Festival, which brings a variety of performances from as far as Spain and Argentina to the Back of the Yards neighborhood and other venues all over the city. I sampled Destinos with a solo show called Ruth on the Rocks, written and performed by Ruth Guerra. The show is promoted as an immersive experience of what it is like to grow up as a Southside Latina in Chicago. It is a 70-minute rollercoaster ride with audience participation and specialty beverages created by Ruth's son Damian Lopez.
Guerra has extensive experience in the Chicago theater world. She trained at Second City, is a veteran of storytelling performances, and has performed underground standup comedy. Ruth on the Rocks takes place in a storefront theater that was her late father's machine repair shop. The nostalgic and energetic vibe was evident when I walked in. It all seemed familiar from the days when families survived and thrived with mom-and-pop places.
Ruth bursts into the room like a house on fire and gets the audience revved up to dance and sing along. She was a child of the '80s and '90s when the mixtape was hot. Boys and girls would make them to impress each other, flirt, and sometimes ease the pain of loss. She explains the technology that I remember so well. When the radio DJ stops talking, you have the tape ready, and your jam comes on.
Her stories range from getting into the clubs when underaged to memories of neighborhood performances and school plays. She sets a timer for 50 minutes, and the audience is instructed to shout out a song from the list on the program. She says, "DJ!" and a bounty of VH1 hits erupt from the audience. "Nasty Girl by Vanity, "Los Caminos De La Vida" by Los Diablitos (aka Stages and Stages). The highlight for me was Blondie's "Heart of Glass." Guerra pushed the doors open and danced out onto Ashland Avenue, across and back down the middle of the street. That was perfect for a song from Blondie. We all want some of that Debbie Harry vibe. She was cool and sexy and took sh!t from no one. When you watch Ruth on the Rocks, you will see how that mindset built Guerra's character and put steel in her spine.
The personal family stories were highlights. Losing loved ones to AIDS, suicide, and other scourges is universal, especially in the performing arts world. Guerra's particular brand of remembrance is respectful and yet filled with funny stories and memories that honor those who made her what she is today. Speaking of funny, some of the props are hilarious. The boob puppets gave me flashbacks to early Muppets like Rowlf, the Dog on the Jimmy Dean Show, or Kraml Milk commercials with Wilkins and Wontkins. I may have let out a squeal like a 3-year-old, but that was cool in Guerra's warm environment.
Ruth on the Rocks is a safe space to reminisce. Everybody is welcome to sing along, laugh, shed some tears, and root for Ruth Guerra, who created performance art in Back of the Yards. If you grew up in Chicago at a certain age, you will remember the Chicago Stockyards. I have been there with my Granny, but most importantly, it was part of what built Chicago and people like Ruth's family and friends.
Ruth on the Rocks is produced and directed by Ricardo Gamboa. He also designed the environment to be more than a set. Every show will have two new songs added to shout out when Ruth yells, "DJ!" That means that the order and content of the stories will change with each show. She was having a supernatural experience when that buzzer went off. I really wanted to know what was up with that good Mexican man that her mother liked. Apparently, weird stuff started to happen, like flies swarming the house, mice, and other supernatural occurrences. One of her friends had curandera (healer) knowledge and told her to sweep the bad vibes out and then sprinkle salt for protection, and then the buzzer went off!
I may have to go and see it again, but I have to remember the mixtape song and shout it out early. I recommend that you check it out yourself.
Destinos, the 7th Chicago International Latino Theater Festival, has its most extensive line-up yet with works from Brazil, Chile, Argentina, Mexico and the U.S. playing all over the city through November 17. Destinos is the cultural apex of Chicago’s Latino Heritage Month every fall, showcasing live Latino theater from home and around the world. This year’s festival boasts 22 productions—both solo works and large-scale productions— at theaters large and small all over the city, See the full lineup here.
Ruth on the Rocks runs Fridays and Saturdays through November 16 at the Storyfront Theater, 4346 S. Ashland Ave. A wild ride awaits you. Try the Southside Sangria or the Chingona (Badass Independent Woman) Martini.
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