Pipeline By Dominique Morriseau Directed by Ron OJ Parson Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati March 11, 2020. I am standing at the top of the stairs looking over a lobby filled with people. It feels like a dream, a dream come true. The people are diverse in age, race, and attire. Some are at the bar, chatting loudly; others are quietly heading towards the theatre doors. Dominique Morriseau’s Pipeline is about to open under the direction of Ron OJ Parson. It is a play so dear to our mission at Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati that we have 22 community programs planned over the four-week run. I walk past an engagement wall—the playwright’s words at the center and chalkboards filled with patrons’ comments on either side—as I take the stage for a welcoming curtain speech. Imagine taking one of the deepest breaths of your life. After decades it all was real, in that moment, what it was all about was present. Now imagine being in that same spot 24 hours later: looking at an empty lobby, coming out of empty offices, quiet, sun going down. What I can bring to this is hope—hope and faith that we will rebuild, reopen, renew our commitment. Next season will be our 35th. It will happen. Together, we will survive, until we can thrive.
Connan Morrissey, Ron OJ Parson + Bryant Bentley in rehearsal for Pipeline at Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati
—D. Lynn Meyers
Destiny of Desire
By Karen Zacarías Directed by José Luis Valenzuela Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park/Milwaukee Repertory Theatre/The Guthrie Theater At the Latino Theater Company, where I am Artistic Director, we were celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Chicano Moratorium (the anti-war demonstration where Ruben Salazar, an LA Times journalist, was killed by the LA County Sheriff’s Department) by creating programming that dealt with social issues affecting communities of color. Due to COVID-19, the entire season of the LTC— encompassing 10 plays, a youth conservatory, and a new plays festival—had to be postponed indefinitely. In response, we are now transitioning to the digital world through archival screenings and digital readings to keep engaging with our audience.
Esperanza America in Destiny of Desire at Goodman Theatre, directed by José Luis Valenzuela PHOTO Liz Lauren
8 SDC JOURNAL | FALL 2020
And it was a very special year for me as a director, with a three-theatre tour in the Midwest of Destiny of Desire by Karen Zacarías. We can’t overlook what it means to have an all-Latino play reach these audiences, and it was a very exciting venture for Karen and me. Beyond the financial and emotional impact that the cancellation had, it was devastating, because as Latinx artists, we seldom have the opportunity to have a production of this scope and reach. However, we are thankful that at least some patrons of Cincinnati Playhouse and Milwaukee Rep were able to experience a digital format of the play for two weeks each. —José Luis Valenzuela
