“Spread,” a production created by a very relevant playwright Jesus I. Valles was presented at INTAR Theatre on W 52nd St. through INTAR Theatre and Royal Exchange Theatre. Valles gives a specially poignant note in the playbill, where he details how many children have died in Gaza since the Oct. 2023 attack. He talks about how many children have been kidnapped and detained by ICE since the current president’s inauguration. He shares alarming statistics about the mistreatment of Black youth in this country. And after letting the audience know that the children are his focus, you then experience “Spread”.
In the captivating drama, four ninth grade Latino boys meet each day for lunch in an Austin, Texas high school. While these boys try to be friends and play games, there is a lot going on in their personal lives that is not a laughing matter. There is domestic violence. There is a ninth-grader who acts as parent to his little brother as their mother is at work. He cooks, reads and puts his brother to bed. There is the athlete who is having a difficult time with his studies and there’s the young man who is experimenting sexually. These characters are examples of a lot of the issues that young boys experience. Their reactions and their dedication to their friendship, while they maneuver life’s difficult moments, is quite captivating to watch. The only adult is a teacher who allows them to meet in his room to create a strange food called “spread” or “Texas prison brick” to eat.
This intimate cast of young men delivered a very cohesive, touching, funny at times and memorable performance of their characters. Ishmael Gonzalez was absolutely wonderful as Jordan, the ninth grader who had to be student and parent to his brother. His character goes through so many emotions and somehow finds the strength to meet the challenges thrust upon him. He plays the character with love and care, but also a lot of vulnerability. Daniel Bravo Hernandez delivered an interesting performance as Chris, a character who finds himself experimenting sexually and yearning for adult responsibilities at such a young age.
He is also dealing with a father who is in jail and what they can mean to a young boy. Jaden Perez is touching as Jeffery, the athlete whose life at home is very complicated and includes domestic violence. Danny Gomez is splendid as Andrew, a character growing up struggling with his sexuality and learning how to not say cruel things to his friends because he is hurting. Luis Vega is strong as Mr. R, the teacher that tries to steer these students in the right direction.
This very powerful work had direction by Tatyana-Marie Carlo. As the audience sat in an intimate classroom setting, it’s as if we were eavesdropping on these boys’ conversations and their troubled home lives. The production had engaging set design by Rodrigo Escalante, costume design by Christopher Vergara, lighting design by Christina Watanabe, sound design by Michael Costagliola and fight and intimacy direction by Teniece Divya Johnson.
For information about upcoming INTAR productions visit intartheatre.org.