THEATRE + COMEDY

Talento Bilingüe de Houston (TBH) kicks off the new year with La Esquinita, U.S. A., the outstanding, cutting edge solo performance of acclaimed California theatre artist, Rubén C. González. January 21-22, 2011 at 8:00 pm.

Set in the aftermath of outsourcing barrio jobs to cheap labor in Asia, this tightly paced tale of ten characters facing unemployment and financial disaster is a poignant commentary on love, forgiveness and redemption. Directed by Kinan Valdez. Written by Ruben Gonzalez. 

LA ESQUINITA, USA is the latest installment of the Mad Mexican’s solo performances by Rubén C. González. This time around he is not so mad and the world is better for it. Now, the ZEN Mexican takes us on a passage through a once booming town LA ESQUINITA, USA but now forgotten like so many others.

This story is told by the omniscient narrator LENCHO and experienced through the eyes of 18 year old DANIEL, a young man who is at the peak of his Crystal Meth high while standing at the threshold between Light and Darkness. The main source of employment, The Thompson Tire Factory has gone to China leaving the town’s infrastructure in disarray. False idols of hope are the only source of relief and the citizens of this dilapidated town are left scavenging for what little remains.

What happens to a town when promises from Big Business are broken? What happens to its people?

Meet LENCHO, DANIEL and eight other characters in this story of love, forgiveness and ultimate redemption.

"La Esquinita, USA and its people spring from the flowing imagination of supremely gifted writer/actor/director Ruben C. Gonzalez. In a fascinating solo performance, Mr. Gonzalez presents the interlocking stories of ten characters, moving seamlessly from one to the next in cinematic clarity.”
-Paul Myrvold
Out and About Magazine

“Gonzalez’ piece focuses squarely on what the economy has done to the soul, As Lencho so eloquently states, “People’s worth is determined by their debt.” The soul of the characters is the heartbeat of the piece. Much like John Leguizamo in the Tony Award nominated “Freak” in 1998, Anna Deveare Smith in the early 1990’s, or more recently, one-man show virtuoso Danny Hoch at Berkeley Rep in 2008, Gonzalez filled the space at the ETC playhouse with characters that are hilarious, memorable and heartbreaking…Gonzalez is one of the most critical voices going in the Bay Area. He is a first responder to the emergency of our souls, and does not provide us with an easy out. He just asks questions, as evidenced by the ending of the show. What will Daniel do? Has he realized yet that if he hurts someone, he hurts himself? Is there hope? Gonzalez asked the questions. Now it’s time for us to come up with the answers.”
-David Chavez
Examiner.com

“His energy is amazing as Gonzalez voices anger, desperation, love, and hope through a cast of complex characters…We laughed at the comic caricatures, but Ruben did not let us off that easily. His characters unfold, revealing personal histories and clashing views. And so we wonder what we would be like had we lived those lives.”
—M. F. Aznar
Executive Director
KnowledgeContext

“La Esquinita, USA invites audiences to understand the aftermath of trickle down reaganomics and bullshit in a compelling and sophisticated way. It's refreshing to watch a one-man show that carries political weight and simultaneously connects us to the lives of believable characters that we, as a society and individuals, systematically choose to avoid. Ruben C. Gonzalez is clearly a craftsman in his field.
—Suzie Lundy Ph.D, Dir. Of Development
La Pena Cultural Center

“Incredible show! Thank you so much! What a special and precious gift this piece is! I'm glad I was there to also witness your Q&A with the two student groups. Clearly you are making an impact - they do get it. Hope you will have the opportunity to share this piece with many, many students when you go on tour.”
—Barbara Graham
Gavilan T.V.

"…Rubén C. González tackles the complex debate of survival vs. humanity with style, warmth, and charisma. I was deeply touched and awakened by Gonzalez's performance. This is a must-see for today's youth.
-Michelle Valentine

Who are the players? -  
Kinan Valdez (DIRECTOR) currently serving as Producing Artistic Director of El Teatro Campesino, he made his professional directorial debut in 1994 when he co-directed ETC’s biennial Christmas production, LA VIRGEN DEL TEPEYAC. His style has left an indelible mark on ETC’s productions ever since. At ETC’s playhouse, he has directed Luis Valdez’ SOLDADO RAZO, Alfred Jarry’s UBU ROI, marking the 100th year of the original staging, Antonin Artaud’s THE CENCI and Luis Valdez’ EL FIN DEL MUNDO and THE SHRUNKEN HEAD OF PANCHO VILLA. All have earned him credit as a bold, creative, highly imaginative young director. Kinan is also a film director/writer and member of Chicanos on the Run. His film credits include: KING LEAR, the award-winning video short, LITTLE LOUIE, I PRIISTA and BALLAD OF A SOLDIER, an independent feature film adaptation of Luis Valdez’ one-act drama ?Soldado Razo.?

RUBÉN C. GONZÁLEZ (PLAYWRIGHT/ACTOR/PRODUCER) RUBEN C. GONZALEZ received his training at the London Academy for Performing Arts, Circle in the Square Theatre School and holds an MFA from UC DAVIS. His directing credits include, ALISO in WORKER LAND, PILGRIMAGE, THE THROW DOWN, ALIENATION and CHRONICLES OF ODISIA SANCHEZ among others. As an actor, he’s performed at THE MARK TAPER FORUM, SOUTH COAST REP., EL TEATRO CAMPESINO, TEATRO VISION, THE PASADENA PLAYHOUSE, INTAR, LINCOLN CENTER INSTITUTE, HB STUDIOS, PRIMARY STAGES and THE KENNEDY CENTER among others. Gonzalez has also performed his two previous critically acclaimed shows, DIARY OF A MAD MEXICAN and THE MESSIAH COMPLEX all over the US and POLAND. His TV credits include MEDIUM, VERONICA MARS, THE MINOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF JACKIE WOODMAN and AIR AMERICA. On the big screen, his credits include SELENA, IT’s PAT, SUCKERS, PERFECT GAME, THE MASTER, FOODSTAMPS and in the critically acclaimed, LA MISSION starring Benjamin Bratt. You can catch his short film, THE FOURTH CORNER on YouTube. His screenplay BOY INNOCENT is currently in negotiations.