Candlelight

 Candlelight
Nylon Fusion Theatre Company
December 13, 2021 

Photo courtesy fo Nylon Fusion Theatre Company

John Patrick Shanley’s Candlelight, is a dark tale of love, hope, and fate.  Directed by Lori Kee, the Nylon Fusion Theatre Company production finds the truthful intimacy of the story, drawing the audience into the innocent needs of the characters. 

Esperanza (played by Ivette Dumeng) is having a party for her tenth birthday.  She dances with Tito (played by Marc Reign).  When she puts her ear to his throat, she can hear his heart speaking to her.  Later in her room, Esperanza lights a candle, and connects to her inner world.  The secrets of her mother’s suicide and her father’s drinking and abuse are revealed as her toys, mirror, and clothing come to life.  

When her father (played by Alfredo Diaz) is arrested, Esperanza is put into a foster home.  Tito confesses his feeling toward Esperanza to his schoolmate, Paulie (played by John Cencio Burgos).  While the two boys share their thoughts, a demon appears.  By facing this demon, Tito and Paulie become closely linked for the unfolding of the journey.  

Ivette Dumeng & Alfredo Diaz
Photo courtesy of Nylon Fusion Theatre Company

Tito follows Esperanza to her foster home.  They agree to meet at the graveyard that night.  Esperanza’s father threatens Paulie to find out where Tito and Esperanza are planning to meet.  Under the stars and in the moonlight, Tito and Esperanza find their fate.

Ivette Dumeng and Marc Reign are wonderful together as Esperanza and Tito.  They are eager and naive, full of hope and energy.  John Cencio Burgos is amazing as Paulie.  He makes you laugh one moment, then follows it with a look that breaks your heart.  These three actors play their ten year old characters with honesty and conviction.  The audience is on their side throughout this very dark journey. 

Marc Reign & John Cencio Burgos
Photo courtesy of Nylon Fusion Theatre Company

Alfred Diaz and Darlene Tejeiro portray harsh realities with the characters of Esperanza’s father and mother.  Esperanza’s world is full of mystery and questions, and these two actors ground the dark fantasies with realistic occurrence that help understand the metaphors.  Christina Toth plays one of Esperanza’s toys that come to life.  She is enigmatic, shifting from light to darkness moment by moment.  Ms. Toth also plays Esperanza’s foster mother.  She carries this dichotomy into that character, bringing the mysterious feeling of this production through to the very end. 

Elizabeth Chaney’s scenic and prop design is smart and creative.  The three set pieces separate, turn, and reconfigure, creating each new location.  The space then opens up to an expansive moonlit graveyard.

Nylon Fusion Theatre Company’s production of John Patrick Shanley’s Candlelight is playing at the New Ohio Theatre (154 Christopher Street) through December 19.  There are only a few performances left, so get your ticket right away! 

Domenick Danza