Love is an Open Door at Hartford Stage’s Laughs in Spanish

 Love is an Open Door at Hartford Stage’s Laughs in Spanish

By David Pulvermacher

Intern of the Connecticut Critic’s Circle 

Alexis Scheer’s Laughs in Spanish is a charismatic and heartwarming tale that explores the relationship between one’s culture and self-identity. Come along with Marianna as she navigates the complexity of the relationship with her mother while trying to salvage the premiere at her latest art gallery. The playwright discusses relevant topics of implicit bias, generational trauma, and representation of Hispanic and  LGBTQ+ communities in a fun and engaging fashion. 

As the lights shine on the first moments of the stage, you’re welcomed with a loud and enraged “f–k” from art dealer Marianna (Stephanie Machado). The works for the Art Basel Festival have been robbed the morning of the exhibit’s opening. As Marianna tries to figure out what her next steps should be, her intern, Carolina (María Victoria Martínez), begs for an opportunity to showcase her work instead. Officer Juan (Luis Vega) is on the scene, attempting to calm Marianna down. As if her day couldn’t get any worse, Marianna’s estranged mother, Estrella (Maggie Bofill), drops in unannounced to seemingly catch up. Along with her famous mother, Marianna comes face to face with Jenny (Olivia Herbert), someone special from her past who happens to be Estrella’s newest assistant. While entertaining her mother, Marianna grows increasingly anxious about how to explain the missing artwork to her clients. Each crisis becomes a vignette that stands on its own, showcasing a part of the complete image. It’s not until the end, when all the plots overlap, that it conveys a tapestry of themes, such as the importance of family and acceptance.

(Olivia Hebert and Stephanie Machado in Laughs in Spanish, 2025. Photo by T. Charles Erickson.)

The performances were vibrant and engaging, but none were as entertaining as Stephanie Machado’s interpretation of Mariana. She draws the audience in with her authenticity. Machado is the heart of the show, as seen through the flux of her emotions. From the shock and anger Marianna experiences at the theft to the guarded attitude towards her mother, the actress conveys authentic responses to each of these major events. It appears genuine when Marianna is both excited and flustered by the return of an important person from her past. 

Alexis Scheer's writing is authentic to Hispanic culture. This can be seen as early as the music selections as you first enter the theater. The characters also demonstrate the daily struggles Hispanic individuals experience through the use of code-switching, which is alternating one’s linguistics to fit the social environment. This was comedically seen when Marianna or Carolina would try requesting music on their Alexa device in their genuine voice, to no avail.

Maggie Bofill’s performance as Estrella was whimsical and heartfelt. She portrays Estrella’s eccentric nature with charm and humor. The actress takes her character in a clever direction that makes her initially seem unaware of the situation but makes her emotional seem more genuine. Bofill’s Estrella is engaging to watch and interact with Machado’s Marianna. 

The cast is delightful and lively. María Victoria Martínez is both charismatic and vigorous as Carolina. Her energy is infectious and brightens and intensifies the multiple conflicts of the show. Along with Martínez, Luis Vega is charming in his role as Juan. His performance is upbeat while also providing a grounding element that contrasts well with Martínez. Accompanying Martínez and Vega, Oliva Herbert is bright and wholesome in her role as Jenny. Her wit and savviness help progress the story more functionally and emotionally.

(María Victoria Martínez and Luis Vega in Laughs in Spanish, 2025. Photo by T. Charles Erickson.)

Alexis Scheer also creates characters that feel relatable regardless of your personal background. The dynamic between Machado’s Marianna and Bofill’s Estrella was a highlight of the show. The conflicting feelings of their daughter-mother relationship emphasize the struggle of parenting from one generation to the next. Along with Estrella, Marianna’s evolving relationship with Jenny was heartwarming to watch unfold. From old friends catching up to romantic partners, Machado and Herbet convey a rapport that feels like their characters have known each other for years and that the audience is watching them at the culmination of a Hallmark romance movie.  

The direction of Lisa Portes creates an interesting transition between each vignette. The stage is set first in the art gallery, but through lighting and the use of a revolving stage, it is able to morph into new scenes. An example of this can be seen when Estrella monologues to the group about her dream of being a mother. As Estrella delves deeper into the dream, the stage shifts into an elaborate and detailed forest. Another clever change was when the characters were celebrating at the end of the show outside the gallery. The gallery wall flipped to reveal the outside of the building, detailed with street art that makes it distinct and feels like a completely new setting. 

(Stephanie Machado and Maggie Bofill in Laughs in Spanish, 2025. Photo by T. Charles Erickson.)

The scenic design of Brian Bembridge is clever in its spinning stage, and each setting is distinct. The art gallery is an open concept that greatly connects the outside of the building, which is lively with vibrant, colorful street art. The forest scene in Estrella’s dream was both ominous and eye-catching. 

Laughs in Spanish is a fun and lovely show about the search for one’s identity and the loved ones they find along the way. With charismatic characters, a faithful portrayal of Hispanic culture, and a playful storyline, Laughs in Spanish is a heartwarming and delightful story. The show is playing at the Hartford Stage through March 30th. For ticket information, head to  https://www.hartfordstage.org/ or contact  the box office at 50 Church Street, Hartford, CT 06103, or call 860-527-5151