Part history lesson, part drama, pure entertainment, “Cesar E. Chavez Y Bernardo de Galvez: Sons and Souls of California,” developed by Bruce Buonauro and Fred Blanco at the Found Theatre, recounts the story of two men, one a nobleman, one a field worker, one a product of the 18th century, one of the 20th, one very well-known – streets, libraries, a holiday named after him – one not as well known but both of whom left lasting marks on the history of California.
At times fiery and impassioned, at times quiet and introspective, always philosophical, always tactical, and not a little humorous, it’s billed as two one-act plays separated by an intermission but the current political and cultural climate suggests that we can better find the dramatic thrust of the story in the comparisons it occasions.
Both men are moral, high-minded, and idealistic. From a position of power, de Galvez wants to confer noblesse oblige on his charges – soldiers, captured Indians - because of his exalted station in life. From a position of want, Chavez wants that same noblesse oblige to be conferred on his fellow workers.
The production’s timing couldn’t be better in light of the recent Cinco de Mayo and Fourth of July celebrations, not to mention the political controversy on immigration.
The two stories dissolved the fourth wall that separated us from the actors. We were there with these two men.
On a bare stage, Bernardo de Galvez (Bruce Buonauro) narrates the story of his life. His father and uncle instilled in him a sense of duty, service, and fairness.
What a great Jeopardy question. Who began his career in the New World fighting Apaches, then became governor of Louisiana; and then, because Spain was an economic foe of Great Britain at the time that the fledgling United States was setting up its republic, not only corresponded with the stalwarts of the Founding Fathers but also greatly aided their cause by granting access to the Mississippi River while denying it to the British and later fought the British along the Mississippi River and the Gulf Coasts?
Then Cesar E. Chavez (Fred Blanco) took the stage to narrate the story of his life, from stylish pachuco to visionary crusader.
His details are better known to us. Unionized the farm workers, got them the dignity, the benefits, the treatment they deserved.
Both men faced – and overcame – obstacles - de Galvez, Indians and soldiers, Chavez, Teamster goons and fractious elements who wanted to employ more violent means to the cause.
Each performance was moving, a call to arms, a call for justice, a reminder that historic drama can illuminate all the stitches in a complex tapestry whereby sound bytes paint broad issues in simplistic black and white terms.
So transparent was the production, so artless its execution, that it’s easy to forget that it was Buonauro’s de Galvez who was aristocratic in carriage and magnanimous in manner. He brought humanity and humility to his role and so reminded us that power does not walk hand-in-hand with arrogance.
I liked his gentle humor as he told of his first inebriation and then how he met his future wife and then, as circumstances dictated, filled his life with gravitas.
That it was Blanco’s Chavez who was peasant in dress but Olympian in vision.
I liked how, playing both roles, he faced off the bumptious armed guard who, considering the UFW’s eagle flag, called the groundswell both Nazi and Communist when actually it was neither, and then some.
Performances are Friday and Saturday, 8 PM, Sunday, 5 PM. The production ran until July 9, 2006. Tickets are $5. The Theatre is located at 599 Long Beach Boulevard, Long Beach, CA 90802. For more information call (562) 433-3363 or visit www.foundtheatre.org.
