An Educated Guess
I'm continuously in awe of the exceptional theatrical works of the founding artistic director Tyrone Phillips of Chicago's Definition Theatre. Phillips, alongside Executive Director Neel McNeill, has skillfully curated a group of members that is truly unique and diverse. This ensemble is unlike any other seen among the big theater companies in Chicago, with its eclectic blend of personalities, backgrounds, and talents. It is a refreshing and vibrant addition to the city's cultural scene, offering a dynamic and engaging experience. If I took an educated guess, I would say that Definition Theatre has a robust future ahead. The world premiere of An Educated Guess by Juan Jose Alfonso and directed by Artistic Director Tyrone Phillips takes an in-depth, surreal, and thought-provoking look into the challenges of immigrants coming to the United States and those with the power to accept or deny them immigration access. After 20 years as a media executive, Juan Jose Alfonso wrote his first play, An Educated Guess, based on his lengthy, bureaucratic, and cumbersome experience as an immigrant trying to gain entry into the United States. He spent twelve years on the play, which materialized at the New York Theatre Workshop and Steppenwolf Theatre in Chicago. He was a featured finalist for the American Blues Theater Blue Ink Award. Alfonso provides a detailed analysis of the complex and often harrowing staging process immigrants go through to gain entry into the United States. He sheds light on the various levels of interrogative communication that they are subjected to by individuals with varying degrees of influence, who ultimately determine their fate - whether they are allowed to stay in the US or sent back to their country of origin. The process is rife with uncertainty and anxiety for immigrants and immigration officers who must make an educated guess about their chances of success. What I love about this play is that Alfonso doesn't just focus on the issues immigrants face; he also describes the daunting and intense pressure placed on the officers whose task is deciphering if someone should be accepted or denied entry. He also touches on faith, forgiveness, the ability or inability to forgive oneself, and the understanding that God equally creates us and no one is an immigrant. Claudia Quesada leads the diverse cast as immigration Director, Alba Guerrero, with Maya Vinice Prentiss (Nilda Jackson), Miguel Cohen (Father Romelio Ospina), Ana Ortiz-Monasterio Draa (Teresa Guerrero), Mehmet Can Aksoy(Bogdan Markovic) and immigrants played by Carina Lastimosa, Dylan Rogers and Lolita Lopez.
An Educated Guess centers around issues and incidents that happened a few years after the 911 attacks on New York City, as Alba Guerrero, a rising star at the federal immigration office in Manhattan. Guerrero is a strict, no-nonsense, by-the-rules boss who takes her job seriously. And although Alba is just doing her job, she becomes so stringent and impersonal that her questions are viewed as offensive and degrading to immigrants seeking asylum in the United States. Her assistant, Nilda, is the opposite. She is funny and caring, and although she is a little hyperaggressive and elusive during Alba's attempt to keep focus during a performance review, Nilda is Alba's stable confidante. In the background, you hear the radio station WNIX playing news stories when Father Romelia Ospina comes to her to approve his paper to enter the country, but Alba initially denies him entry. Still, after his continual efforts to persuade her, telling Alba he has spent by the church to help save children, she finally agrees to bypass her gut feelings and signs his papers. Father Ospina can feel that Alba is battling some issues. However, she refuses to confess to him and threatens to pull her approval if he continues to press the issue. But panic strikes as Alba hears on the radio that an immigrant she admitted to the United States has committed a heinous act of mass murder.
Fearing that her superiors would eventually hold her responsible for the immigration oversight, she mentally began to unravel, struggling with overwhelming guilt, unforgiveness, and shame. To relieve her anxiety, she tells Nilda that with the antiquated and fallible government systems, decisions about allowing immigrants into the country are nothing more than an educated guess. Alba abruptly decided to leave her position and start anew. With a heavy heart, she took a humbling yet satisfying job that allowed her to escape from her troubles. She began working with Father Ospina at the church, finding solace and comfort in her new role, far away from her traumatic past. An Educated Guess is an exceptional theatrical performance that sheds light on people's crucial decisions regarding immigrants. The outstanding cast makes the play even more captivating, bringing the characters to life with impressive acting skills, making this a must-see production for anyone who wants to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges that immigrants face in our society and the impact our decisions can have on their lives. When it comes to casting actors for different roles in a production, Tyrone Phillips is a name that stands out. His exceptional ability to select the most suitable actor for each character reflects his profound understanding of the art of bringing characters to life on stage. His insight into character development is crucial for anyone who appreciates the nuances of theatrical performances. And in An Educated Guess, he does a tremendous job bringing together the chemistry needed for this enthralling play. Claudia Quesada's portrayal of Alba Guerrero was nothing short of outstanding. Her gripping performance was marked by a mesmerizing, highly focused, rigid demeanor. Every emotion she conveyed was palpable, evoking powerful feelings of joy, happiness, sadness, and pain. Her chemistry with other characters was equally exceptional, displaying a raw and powerful energy that kept viewers on the edge of their seats. Claudia Quesada's performance in this role was a testament to her talent and acting skills.
Maya Vinice Prentiss is an exceptionally gifted actor who doesn't receive the recognition she deserves. Prentiss is one of those Chicagoland actors who brings unparalleled talent to every role she performs. Her dedication to embodying each character she plays is genuinely remarkable. As Nilda Jackson, she portrayed a stabilizing force behind Alba, keeping her grounded and level-headed. The way she brought her character to life, adding the right touch of wit and profoundness, was truly exceptional. Miguel Cohen's portrayal of Father Ospina, the immigrant priest approved by Alba to enter the United States, is persuasive and authentic. Cohen fully embodied the character, bringing to life the struggles of a Catholic cleric who is also an immigrant, facing constant scrutiny and doubt regarding his status in a world where his immigration status often overshadows his faith in serving God's will. Cohen infuses the character with a refreshing sense of humanity through his performance, making him more relatable and approachable. The performance that left a lasting impression on me was delivered by Mehmet Can Aksoy, who portrayed the character of Bogdan Markovic. He played the role of an immigrant who resorted to murdering American citizens due to the harsh and humiliating treatment he and his wife received from Alba. Aksoy's portrayal of Markovic was incredibly haunting and will send chills down your spine. The exchange between Aksoy and Guerrero during her visit to the prison was reminiscent of the intense and exhilarating interactions between Hannibal Lecter and Clarice Starling in the movie 'Silence of the Lambs.' The cast also included great performances from Ana Ortiz-Monasterio Draa (Teresa Guerrero), Carina Lastimosa, and Dylan Rogers, giving commendable performances depicting the various challenges immigrants face, even when interacting with other immigrants. An Educated Guess is similar to the Jardiance commercial, where it says, "A little pill with a big story to tell." However, there is nothing little about the narrative and acting in this production, and it indeed has a big story to tell.
On its website, Definition Theatre states that it has garnered recognition for its exceptional work that reflects a distinct, original voice, and I agree. Their productions are always thought-provoking and impactful. With Tyrone Phillips leading the way, I have no doubt that the Definition Theatre will continue to produce outstanding works that will inspire and entertain people for years to come.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Definition Theatre
An Educated Guess
By Juan Jose Alfonso
Directed by Tyrone Phillips
Now through June 2, 2024
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