DIVE BAR – A Rest Stop For The Soul – CASA 0101
Reviewed by Amalisha HuEck
A MUST SEE!
This is why we love theatre – to experience something like this production gives us. Great writing, fantastic acting, and a story that goes beyond human consciousness with an intent to understand eternity. Why do we live as long as we do? Why do we translate into the mysterious unknown at a particular point – often unexpectedly?
In DIVE BAR, a rest stop for the soul, police helicopters circle outside of Vee’s Bar in the Boyle Heights, following a nearby shooting. When a mysterious older man with white hair and a green bowtie, matching the description of ‘A Person of Interest’ on the news walks into the bar and sits at a small table far away from everyone else, intense speculation among the patrons begins. Who is he? How can he know certain details about people’s lives? As the truth about the stranger unfolds, everyone in the bar gets into a situation where they have to account for their lives.
After it’s been discovered that the mysterious older man carries a small black book full of names, the reason why we are here and what our purposes are – arises. The heated discussion that was there from the very beginning, escalates …
Four characters come to the point of discovering that life is a gift. For one to be able to live and be a participant for a long time – is of his/her own creation. Life is not a life if we are not participating, and carrying pain, misery, regrets, judgments or hate – will not get us anywhere. But by rewriting our emotions and finding freedom, discovering our purposes, and living in divinity, we ignite the light of hope that allows the unreachable to happen.
Christ Banda, who always wanted to write a Twilight Zone-style story, with amazing clarity describes what this life is all about and why we are here. He says, “At some point in life, you realize you’re on a sinking ship. But you don’t really care; you tell yourself you have time to get off and make arrangements. But the older you get, the more you feel the ship tilting; the balance is off, everything seems to be moving past you, and then you realize your shoes are soggy. And like a bucket of water, it hits you … I’m running out of time.”
This passionate, real and dynamic storytelling, gets us to watch everyone, stumbling through their lives in the first act. Everyone is like a ‘Lotus in the mud,’ striving to survive. But the second act, from the very beginning catches us by the throat, and we collectively stop breathing, our full attention is on witnessing the opening of each character’s hearts and letting the truth come out. Finding their purposes becomes the driving force from which miracles happen. After all, it is a good day for everyone!
Vance Valencia (Mr.Smith), a local actor known for his work in dozens of film and TV productions, successfully portrays a ‘Soul Catcher’ and brings his great timing, calmness and actor’s assuredness on the stage. Another great success!
Arezu Tavakoli (Sam), an Iranian-Argentinian-American actress, singer, dancer, and sometimes a stagehand, brings her full self to the role from the moment she enters the stage and shines with an intense light and personality throughout. She is beautiful, extremely talented, demands attention and is a soulful singer. Brilliant actress!
Gilbert Reynoso (Goose), with his infectious love for the theatre and with exceptional energy and passionate dedication to theatre art, lets his light shine also. Exciting future! Kudos to you, Gilbert!
Martín Morales (Charlie) and Oscar T. Basulto (Willie), as the rest of the cast give their hearts to this production. Like everyone, their sensitivity and heart opening performances touch the audience deeply. Good job!’
It is wonderful to watch how all the actors fulfill each other and a spiritual awakening happens all around. In finding their character’s true purposes, they all bring themselves to tears. I looked around, and many teary eyes were watching also, with expectancy for the best outcome. I saw God everywhere.
Miguel Angel Delgado, a versatile theatre artist with experience as an actor, director, playwright and scenic designer chose a great cast. As we know, good casting is half of a success… ‘As a director he focuses on creating dynamic, emotionally resonant experiences, often blending traditional and innovative approaches to bring fresh perspectives to both new and established plays.’ Well done, Miguel!
The costumes are great, the setting is wonderfully positioned with walls that are not in a straight line, beautifully painted and decorated with some fun paintings; a fish with a cigarette in her mouth, a crafty guitar on the wall, and a Vincent van Gogh portrait. The lighting is precise and music accompanies it all.
*** I strongly recommend for DIVE BAR to be taken to the theatre competitions. This production has a very good chance of bringing some awards to CASA 0101.
The show’s four week run, opened on October 9 and it runs until November 1, 2026. You can catch it at CASA 0101 Theatre in the Gloria Molina Auditorium, 2102 East First Street, LA CA, Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. & Sundays at 3:00 p.m. Tickets are on sale now at www.casa0101.org or through the box office at (323) 263-7684. Tickets are $25 for general admission, $22 for students and seniors 60 and older, and $20 per person for Boyle Heights residents and groups of 10 or more. Special Industry Night is on Thursday, October 29, at 8:00 p.m. when all tickets are $15 each. No Performance on Halloween, Saturday, October 31, 2026. For more info go to www.casa0101.org