INTERVIEW: ‘Día y Noche’ explores the power of friendship
Photo: Neil Tyrone Pritchard and Freddy Acevedo star in Día y Noche at 59E59 Theaters in New York City. Photo courtesy of Monique Carboni / Provided by Matt Ross PR with permission.
The new play Día y Noche, running through Saturday, April 15 at 59E59 Theaters in New York City, is the work of writer David Anzuelo and LAByrinth Theater Company. The show explores friendship, sex, drugs, queerness and punk rock, all through the lens of a community living along the Mexico-United States border in El Paso, Texas, circa 1984, according to press notes.
At the helm of the production is director Carlos Armesto, who leads a cast consisting of Freddy Acevedo, Peter Collier, Sean Fletcher Griffin, Neil Tyrone Pritchard, Joe Quintero, Emma Ramos and Viviana Valeria. The play follows Danny, a character described as a “lower-middle class Chicano punk-rock kid who thinks he might be an artist,” who befriends Martin, a Black upper-middle class band nerd who is gay and in the closet. As they come of age together, they face the “racism and corruption” of the surrounding area and time period.
LAByrinth Theater Company is one of the most exciting theatrical ventures in New York City. They have been producing engaging, enthralling evenings of authentic, character-driven plays for quite some time, and Día y Noche is the latest in a long line of hits and critical acclaim.
Recently Hollywood Soapbox exchanged emails with Armesto to find out his thoughts on Anzuelo’s work and the overall themes of the show. Questions and answers have been slightly edited for style.
What was your reaction when you first read David Anzuelo’s play?
In David’s play, I immediately identified with Danny and Martin. It was like I was reliving the deep quirky friendships I had when I was in high school. They meant a lot to me, and this play is a testament to the experiences I had. I also loved the punk rock, fragmented and cinematic nature of the scenes, and couldn’t wait to stage them. Additionally, the play felt like the untold story of an unlikely friendship from the point of view of Brown and Black people — something we don’t see depicted much. It also excited me to see a Latine story that wasn’t about immigration as well [as] the creation and trials of friendship.
What do you feel the play says about the power of friendship?
The love of friends can come from anyone or anywhere, and we need to be open about it. I love that the play explores the friendship of a gay man and a straight guy — another rarely told story. You can depend on your blood family, but you also need a chosen family, who can become your real family, if you get my drift.
Even though the play is set in 1984, there’s a present-day context that audiences can pick up on. Do you feel that the text speaks to 2023?
Día y Noche is a story for Black and Brown queer youth today. They need to see themselves depicted in situations that have been more traditionally dominated by white queer stories. Audiences of many backgrounds have been taken by Día y Noche, but young Black and Brown audience members have been particularly vocal and reactive to the play — even calling out in the performance. They see themselves and have been very moved.
Also, coming out of the pandemic has made us see the need for deep and meaningful friendship that can last a lifetime. That is another relevance of the play for me today.
What’s it like working with this ensemble of actors?
This process has been a wonderful dream come true. I was a fan of LAByrinth since I saw Our Lady of 121st Street and had hoped one day to work with the company. It was exciting to create this piece in a much more collaborative manner than more traditional siloed processes I’ve had in the past. Ideas flowed fully from the actors, the designers and David. There was an ease of dialogue that I’ve not experienced much, except with my work with other Latine ensembles like Repertorio Español and Teatro Ciego from Argentina (with whom I’ve formed PITCHBLACK Immersive Experiences, a new company here in New York). Egos are checked at the door, and we create hearing each other’s ideas.
Have you ever been to El Paso, Texas? What do you find unique about this setting?
I have never been to El Paso, but I have spent time with family in east/northern Texas (Houston, San Antonio and Dallas). The setting, because of the mountains and clear desert sky, evokes a sense of untapped potential, which is a big theme the play explores. There’s a peacefulness of the heavens that is surrounded by the human electricity on the ground.
Are you a fan of punk rock?
I was never a fan of punk rock until this piece. I am more of a new wave/1980s pop guy, but this piece has sparked a flame I want to explore more.
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
Día y Noche, written by David Anzuelo and directed by Carlos Armesto, continues through Saturday, April 15 at 59E59 Theaters. Produced by LAByrinth Theater Company. Click here for more information and tickets.
