Tomas and the Library Lady at The Coterie Winter 2016
Once again The Coterie inspires and impresses with their newest production. This season's Tomas and the Library Lady is reminiscent of last fall's Miracle Worker with many similar themes, but this production is targeting a younger audience and offers more humor and wit. Both productions invited the audience to see the world through the eyes of another culture, and both tell of a teacher / pupil bond that crosses boundaries and leaves an indelible mark on teacher and pupil.
Tomas and the Library Lady is based on a true story of Tomas Rivera, a migrant Mexican-American boy whose family travels from Texas to Iowa and back to Texas again. Tomas was discouraged in Texas where his harsh teacher reprimanded him repeatedly for speaking in Spanish rather than English. His mother and grandfather encourage him, but his self-esteem is damaged. That is until one day after his family settles to work in Iowa for a time that he stumbles upon a library and there meets the Library Lady. She teaches him to read, he teaches her some Spanish, she opens his world not only to English, but to new places and ideas, and he opens her heart. The two become best friends and Tomas' reading takes his imagination on exciting adventures. The gift of reading opens his world and the real Tomas Rivera went on to be the first in his family to attend college, he helped found the Mexican-American chancellorship in the United States at the University of California, and became an educator, author, and scholar there.
Despite a difficult upbringing, Tomas, played by Francisco Javier Villegas, overcame and went on to inspire others. The play depicts the love and encouragement of his mother, portrayed by Victoria Botero, his papa grande played by Jose Faus, and his brother played by Tony Pulford. The library lady, played by Judy Simmons, reminds many of us of the encouraging librarians and teachers who took time to open our world in our youth and the significant part they play. She reminded me in many ways of my own childhood mentor, and that made the show especially endearing.
For this show, The Coterie presents a bi-lingual production. The show opens with Tomas' mother singing in Spanish and encouraging the audience to sing along. As they magnificently wove sign language and the spoken word in Miracle Worker, this production weaves Spanish and English both in spoken words and song to tell a heart-warming family story, an inspiring mentor / student story, and many imaginative plays. The words are translated so the audience does not miss a thing, but can begin to understand the challenge for Tomas' family to assimilate in a new country. Other special components in the production include the use of puppets to tell the stories Tomas imagines and Papa Grande's painting during scenes to capture the stories in art.
I took my niece and daughter, both eight-years-old to see opening night. Both girls laughed and smiled throughout the show and said they would recommend that other children should see it as well. For our family, it opened up discussions about migrant workers and their life, topics of immigration - once again prominent in the political discourse, and the warmer notes that touch us all - the importance of a loving and encouraging family who sees something special inside you even when you don't see it yourself, and the impact of the library ladies (mentors) in our lives who come along and help us grow.
The show is recommended for ages 8 and up. The story has depth and context to comprehend and the messages are best presented at this age level. I think my younger girls would have had trouble following along, but the eight-year-olds enjoyed it very much and learned a lot.
This show is a must-see. The acting was incredible, the sets creative, the music and art made the story truly magical, and most of all - the story itself is one we all benefit from learning. Don't miss Tomas and the Library Lady at The Coterie.
Coterie Theatre
2450 Grand Blvd., Suite 144, Kansas City, Missouri View Map