Zocalo Toronto – Vladimir Jon Cubrt’s The Weeping Salsa

reviewed by Paula Citron
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The Weeping Salsa
Zocalo Toronto
Written by Vladimir Jon Cubrt
Co-directed by Cubrt and Taylor Graham
Choreographed by Caryl Cuizon and Angus Dirnbeck
Performed by Cubrt and Donna Christo
At the Theatre Centre until Nov. 29
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Vladimir Jon Cubrt is a theatrical polymath. The Weeping Salsa, lists him as writer, performer, co-director and sound designer.

The Weeping Salsa is a brave show, part theatre and part dance. The story depicts a very sick relationship between Latin dance partners. Adele (played by Donna Christo) is the better dancer with professional ambitions, while Danny, her possessive and obsessive boyfriend, is not in the same league. The show looks at their intense power struggle both past and present.

When Cubrt is on his game, his dialogue is dead on, and in the irritating Danny, he has created one of the worst examples of narcissistic misogyny. Christo gives a very strong performance as victimized Adele. The choreography by Caryl Cuizon and Angus Dirnbeck is absolutely terrific, making an uneven partnership look good.

The show may be flawed with repetitive dialogue in parts, but it also serves up two very engrossing character studies.

The Weeping Salsa continues at the Theatre Centre until Nov. 29.