“The Hombres” Heats Up Capital Stage

by Chris Narloch

Last time out, Capital Stage presented a political play that I found preachy and unpleasant, but I am happy to report that the successful midtown theatre company is back on track with its latest effort, a subtler and far more satisfying dramedy entitled “The Hombres.”

Instant Pot Refried Beans

1 onion, chopped roughly

1 tablespoon minced garlic

2 jalapeños, chopped roughly (or mild bell pepper)

2+ tablespoons WYW Fiesta Mexican Blend

1 1/2 cups water

2 cups veggie stock

2 cups dry pinto beans (no soaking needed)

Toss all of the ingredients into your pressure cooker and cook on high pressure for 30 minutes. Let this one naturally release. We love this in our little 3 quart instant pot; it fits perfectly! When you’re ready to eat, grab your immersion blender and process for 2 minutes until nice and smooth. Of course you can also transfer this in batches to your standard blender as well. We’ve even used a potato masher for a coarse texture, anything goes! For more recipes and to check out, and buy, the rest of their spice blends, visit: WellYourWorld.com

A five-man cast portrays three construction workers, a yoga instructor, and a new student whose interest in the instructor may be more than friendly. The construction workers are all Latinos and apparently “straight” while the yoga teacher, also Latino, is decidedly gay.

The action is set in motion after the rowdy construction workers outside the yoga class are asked to quiet down because they are disturbing the peace and tranquility of the affluent, mostly female clientele (whom we never see) inside the studio.

The one student who is shown takes a definite interest in his single, gay instructor, although the guy turns out to have a wife and a baby on the way. Is the student’s flirting intentional, or is he clueless, and why are the construction workers so curious about what’s going on in the yoga studio?

By the end of the play, those construction workers have all taken up yoga, and the instructor and his new student are sharing intimate details of their personal lives with each other.

The play explores homophobia, machismo, and even immigration in ways that are sometimes funny and often moving without being heavy-handed.

I didn’t buy every twist and turn in “The Hombres,” but I enjoyed the fact that the plot kept surprising me, and I had no idea where it was going. Not every question raised by the play gets answered, but those questions are all intriguing.

“The Hombres” continues at Capital Stage through June 4th. For tickets and information, go to www.capstage.org.