La Gringa Takes the Stage

American Stage’s First Bilingual Production

By Brian Shea

As I walked into American Stage downtown St. Pete, I was struck in awe by the wondrous set created by scene designer Rodrigo Escalante.

Escalante created scenes for the theater’s production of Carmen Riviera’s OBIE award-winning play, La Gringa

I experienced two worlds entangled together in that theater. The beautiful, tropical jungle and mountain sides of Puerto Rico surround the living spaces of the extended family of the main protagonist, Maria.

This environment is the visual representation of a theme in this play: the duality of life. This theme can create both harmony and conflict.

The play centers around Maria, a young woman from New York City who, on a journey to find herself, visits her extended family in Puerto Rico.

Angela Reynoso bursts onstage with vibrant energy as Maria, a woman eager to immerse herself in her extended family’s culture. Maria has an ideal image in her mind of life in Puerto Rico. Yet that ideal image clashes with the reality of her family’s life. The story that follows is both a comedy and drama of intergenerational family life.

La Gringa

La Gringa was first performed in New York City in 1996 at Reportorial Español. The company still performs this show, which makes La Gringa the longest-running Off-Broadway Spanish-language production in New York. American Stage’s production is another example of why this play is a success.

This cast works together extraordinarily well. American Stage’s La Gringa is a bilingual production; the dialogue moves back and forth at times from Spanish to English. I could understand and appreciate every moment of this play, regardless of language — an excellent testament to the craft of the actors, the director, and the playwright. The beautiful seamless movement through dual languages, and no meaning is lost.

Cast & Crew

Tatyana-Marie Carlo’s skillful direction assembled a team of performers and designers bringing this family’s world to life.

Alina Alcántara is fierce as Norma, the protective and, at times, paranoid matriarch of the family.

Victor Souffrant plays her attentive husband, Victor, with great focus.

Germaine Lebrón plays their young farmer neighbor, Ramon Monchi, who has eyes for Maria with steadfast determination.

Pedro Bayón plays Manolo. Norma’s bedridden brother finds his spirit for life renewed during his niece Maria’s stay. Bayón plays the role of Manolo with such nuance and depth that I wanted more time with his character.

Jessy Julianna plays Norma’s job-seeking, stressed daughter, Iris. Julianna crackles with energy when she walks on stage. As one of Tampa Bay’s best young performers, Julianna always delivers outstanding work.

Shahrzad Mazaheri’s costumes accentuate each character’s story. Christina Watanabe’s lighting and Germán Martinez’s sound design sharpen the story. I recommend audiences experience this production at American Stage. It is a great story about identity, duality, and acceptance.

Authentic and Delicious Sunday Thai Market at Tampa Temple

By Morgan Banno

Thai is my absolute favorite cuisine on the planet. Thai green curry is my signature dish as a chef. In college, I backpacked around southeast Asia and fell head-over-heels in love with Thailand. I was profoundly moved by the history, culture, food, and landscape. I was ecstatic when I learned Wat Mongkolratanaram, a Thai Buddhist Temple in Tampa (known as Wat Tampa to the locals), has an open-air market with authentic Thai food every Sunday. This is an experience that I highly recommend, regardless of your obsession with Thai food.

Wat Tampa sits on the Palm River, under a shaded canopy of Spanish moss trees. Tropical orchids and flowers decorate the grounds, and the ambiance is exotic and peaceful. The setting is truly spectacular. Tables get set up under a section of covered porch where Temple members sell authentic Thai foods. There are curries, noodles, soups, and other goodies — all scratch-made.

Authentic Thai Food

Aromas of lemongrass, galangal, and coconut caught me as I snaked my way through the noodle line. With each breath, I was instantly transported back to Thailand. For $10, you can nosh on a giant bowl of soup (chicken, pork, or veggie) or Pad Thai (chicken or tofu). The elder ladies sold bowls of soup and boxes of Pad Thai to hungry visitors, while the Temple men cooked furiously in the background.

Another table had desserts, spring rolls, mango sticky rice, and curries (all $2-13). Each container of homemade curry was served with a side of steamed white rice and wrapped in a plastic bag for take away. I indulged in the green curry (spicy and herbaceous) and the Massaman curry (sweet and mild), both with chicken and both scrumptious.

All the money from the market goes back to the Temple.

Regional Curries

Food styles in Thailand vary by region. The most well known Central region has dishes like Pad Thai, green curry, and Tom Yum (hot and sour soup). The southern region is heavily influenced by Malaysian and Indonesian cuisine, churning out stewed curries like the deliciously sweet, Massaman. Myanmar and Laos heavily influence the northern and northeast region with grilled meats and contrasting textures.

Sunday Thai Market

In addition to food, the Temple’s Sunday market also sells orchids and plants. I picked up a Thai hot pepper plant for my garden ($12) and a handmade prayer bracelet ($2) made by a child who attends the Temple school. Regular Buddhist services take place every Sunday at 1 p.m. and include chanting and meditation. If you are new to Buddhism, please read up on proper Buddhist Temple etiquette guide before attending. You’ll likely see the monks who live on the property, but be respectful and refrain from taking pictures of them.

Tips: Bring cash for the market and arrive before 9 a.m. The food sells out early.

Wat Mongkolratanaram Temple, 5306 Palm River Road, Tampa, 8 a.m.-6 p.m., 813-621-1669, wattampainenglish.com