The Fourth Walsh

Goodman Theatre, along with Barrington Stage and Hartford Stage, present the World Premiere of DEAD GIRL’S QUINCEAÑERA as part of the Chicago Latino Theater Alliance’s 9th annual Destinos Chicago International Latino Theater Festival.

Maria celebrated turning 15 with a festive quinceañera. No one has seen her since the party. She’s not responding to texts. Her friends fear foul play. They set up a case board to determine suspects and motives. They deconstruct the evening for clues and interview likely assailants. As the hours pass from Maria’s disappearance, it gets closer to Selma’s own quinceañera. Can they solve the mystery before strategy strikes… again?

The show is being promoted as a comedy thriller. Playwright Phanésia Pharel definitely starts out with a playful vibe. Her teenagers amusingly lean into the crime procedural tactics learned from TV. In the beginning, it has all the makings for Nancy Drew guest starring in a “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” show. There is an underlying simplistic expectation that these girls will solve the crime in sixty minutes. During the teenage sleuthing, Pharel drops in the girls’ backstories of family, class, sexism, and bigotry. The pile of details darkens the mood and shifts us toward a coming-of-age story. Although her dialogue is sharp, the true nature of Pharel’s story is a little more murky.

Under the direction of Melia Bensussen, the terrific ensemble (Carmen Berkeley, Ariana Burks, Andrea Ferro, Jacqueline Guillén) deliver the comedy. The singularly-focused Ferro is hilarious as an ‘expert’ detective. She bulldozes over any attempt to divert her from solving the case. Berkeley is her perfect sidekick delivering one liners with zing and insight. The trio, along with Burks, reenact makeshift interrogations involving their suspects. The cross examinations are funny. Later in the show, the tone changes abruptly. Ferro and Berkeley share a tender moment. Burks and Guillén uncover a devastating truth. Then, it’s off to Selma’s quinceañera. The storytelling transitions aren’t smooth. QUINCEAÑERA is all fun and games until it’s not.   

At first glance, DEAD GIRL’S QUINCEAÑERA is a murder mystery with a group of teens on the case. While that investigation drives much of the action, QUINCEAÑERA ultimately explores a more personal mystery: what it means to be a 15-year-old American Latina navigating identity, belonging and the expectations of others.

Running Time: Ninety minutes with no intermission

Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn

Written by Phanésia Pharel

Directed by Melia Bensussen

Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturday, Sunday at 7:30pm

Thursdays, Saturdays, Sundays at 2pm

November 1

For more information or tickets

Production photos by Justin Barbin

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