"The Real James Bond...Was Dominican" - by Christopher Rivas and Daniel Banks - ArtsEmerson (Boston, MA.) - REVIEW
(Cover Photo: Christopher Rivas of "THE REAL JAMES BOND...WAS DOMINICAN" at ArtsEmerson in Boston, MA. through November 12, 2023. Photo Credit Zohra Banon)
By Kevin T. Baldwin
METRMAG Reviewer
# 774-242-6724
“And here comes Porfirio Rubirosa, this brown island god swooping down from heaven (or so I think)."
- Christopher Rivas
ArtsEmerson
At the
Emerson Paramount Center
In Association with DNAWorks
Presents
"THE REAL JAMES BOND…WAS DOMINICAN"
SIX PERFORMANCES ONLY!
Developed with and Directed by Daniel Banks
Starring: Christopher Rivas
Additional Creative Team:
Original Score and Percussion - Wilson Torres; Projection Designer - Alexandra Kelly Colburn; Projection Designer - Kate Freer; Lighting Designer - Driscoll Otto
Performances:
November 8, 2023 through November 12, 2023
(Contact Box Office for Exact Times)
EMERSON PARAMOUNT CENTER, Robert J. Orchard Stage, 559 Washington St, Boston, MA 02111
TICKETS:
Tickets for "THE REAL JAMES BOND…WAS DOMINICAN" may be purchased 24/7 at ArtsEmerson.org, or by calling 617-824-8400 (Tue-Sat from 12:00PM ET - 6:00PM ET).
The EMERSON PARAMOUNT CENTER Box Office (559 Washington Street, Boston) is open for walk-up service Thu-Sat from Noon - 6:00 PM ET.
COVID 19 PROTOCOLS
Contact Venue for Most Updated COVID-19 Safety Protocols and Information.
"Cool."
"Suave."
"Elegant."
"Deadly."
All words that could describe spy and hired killer Porfirio Rubirosa whose life is recalled by an admirer in a one man show which, at times, comes across as "shaken - not stirred."
Developed with and directed by Daniel Banks, "THE REAL JAMES BOND…WAS DOMINICAN" stars the charismatic Christopher Rivas. who conveys to us less a Wikipedia rendering of Rubirosa and more how Rubirosa's story impacted this young Dominican boy from Queens, New York.
However, the story that unfolds over the course of 70 minutes straight (no chaser, I mean, intermission) becomes far less about Rubirosa and quite a bit more about Rivas himself.
On stage there is a trunk, a stool, a bar table with chair - and a box that occasionally serves as a small "altar." But we barely notice any of them because our collective audience gaze is squarely on Rivas for the next hour and 10 minutes in his thorough, captivating performance.
As the play begins, Rivas recalls his childhood where, as a little boy, he would pretend to be an assassin.
An assassin.
He then proceeds to show us the various toy guns he would play with.
Rivas reflects on growing up in Queens and the tremendous influence and impact made upon him by his hard-working, watchful, resourceful, adaptive, almost "chameleon-like" father.
Rivas' parents were a big influence upon him as he learned to become a man.
Were they perfect? Of course not. Parents seldom are, depending on how we choose to remember them.
(Photo: Christopher Rivas of "THE REAL JAMES BOND...WAS DOMINICAN" at ArtsEmerson in Boston, MA. through November 12, 2023. Photo Credit Andres Tagliaferro)
The show promotes: "Learning that Bond creator Ian Fleming drew upon the life and career of Porfirio Rubirosa—a Dominican diplomat, international polo champion, race-car driver, pilot, and spy— as the inspiration for the classic "007" character shook performer Christopher Rivas’ very foundation and set him on a quest to find his true self."
Well, that is certainly conveyed throughout the show but, while Rubirosa may have inspired the fictitious "James Bond" character, to compare Rubirosa in any other way to "Bond" is a stretch.
Rubirosa was a supporter of - and "diplomat" for - Dominican Republic dictator Rafael Trujillo, nicknamed "El Jefe" (Spanish for the "Chief" or "Boss"), who ruled from 1930 until 1961.
Rubirosa was also a political assassin (aka he was given a veritable "license to kill," much like "007") for Trujillo. Coincidentally, Trujillo himself would also be assassinated.
As Rivas tells us his own story, he also tells us how Rubirosa became an international playboy, a suave, sophisticated "jetsetter" (when that was still a "thing").
The rogue-ish Rubirosa was known as a "Trujillista," allowing him to act as an international spy, moving freely among the rich and famous, including the infamous Hollywood "Rat Pack," where he would uncover some closely guarded, secretive information.
Rubirosa also was regarded as a "ladies man," known for a legendary sexual prowess with women. He would also marry several times, with some of his wives being two of the wealthiest women in the world.
In fact, as the Rubirosa mythos goes, the legend as told by Rivas also mentions how he had a strong affinity for horses because they had "a lot in common" (although, from the sound of it, the horses might have been a tad "envious" of the man in one, ahem, "specific area").
(Photo: Christopher Rivas of "THE REAL JAMES BOND...WAS DOMINICAN" at ArtsEmerson in Boston, MA. through November 12, 2023. Photo Credit Daniel Banks)
Yet, (spoiler alert!) for all his peppershaker-sized endowment and prowess, fatherhood eluded Rubirosa, who would die without producing a child to call his own.
Would he have been a better parent than spouse, though?
From Rivas' fabulously conveyed storytelling, the answer to this question remains unclear, albeit it is certain Rubirosa was a known and violent abuser of women.
The question becomes: Why would Rivas even want to praise or elevate the mythos of this man who was obviously both a violent abuser and cold-blooded killer?
To quote "Bond" from the movie "Casino Royale," while it all seems a bit "skewered - one sympathizes."
Without revealing too much, let’s just say Rivas has his reasons which are beautifully elicited by Rivas throughout the show - a show which he accurately describes, at the outset, as “more church than theatre.”
To call the show "interactive" is an understatement.
Along with Rivas' skillful storytelling, thanks to to Daniel Banks accomplished direction, the show is also 50 percent fun audience participation with an exploratory “Story Circle” audience dialogue held at the end of the performance.
(Photo: Christopher Rivas of "THE REAL JAMES BOND...WAS DOMINICAN" at ArtsEmerson in Boston, MA. through November 12, 2023. Photo Credit Zohra Banon)
The set is bare minimum with the show primarily supplemented by some highly inventive lighting design.
In addition, get to the theatre early and you'll hear some fun, vibrant pre-show music and, once the show begins, the original score and percussion by Wilson Torres is equally impressive, a key contributing factor to the overall success of the production.
In the end, though, this is Rivas' show and it succeeds because of Rivas.
He holds a mirror up not only to himself but to us. He also (literally) holds up a phone to take a picture of himself with us.
This sense of inclusivity, this embracing of various ideals such as compassion and conviction of character - these are what make "THE REAL JAMES BOND…WAS DOMINICAN" one killer of a show.
Like "Bond" in "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" don't make the mistake of thinking "we have all the time in the world" to see this show, because "THE REAL JAMES BOND…WAS DOMINICAN" only continues at ArtsEmerson until November 12th.
Approximately 70 minutes with no intermission
Story Circle approximately 45 minutes.
Kevin T. Baldwin is a member of the American Theatre Critics Association (ATCA)
@MetrmagReviews
@Theatre_Critics
ABOUT THE SHOW
Developed with and Directed by Daniel Banks.
Don’t miss the Boston premiere of "THE REAL JAMES BOND…WAS DOMINICAN".
What happens when a James Bond-obsessed Dominican boy in Queens (who won’t go anywhere without his nerf gun), finds out that the real James Bond was Dominican?
Learning that Bond creator Ian Fleming drew upon the life and career of Porfirio Rubirosa—a Dominican diplomat, international polo champion, race-car driver, pilot, and spy— as the inspiration for the classic "007" character shook performer Christopher Rivas’ very foundation and set him on a quest to find his true self.
Join Chris as he digs deeper into the world of Bond, its inspiration, and what it meant to him as an actor in Hollywood.
Before Connery and Craig, there was Rubirosa.
Approximately 70 minutes with no intermission.
Recommended for Ages 14+
After every performance of "THE REAL JAMES BOND…WAS DOMINICAN" you are invited to participate in a Story Circle facilitated by Director Daniel Banks.
A Story Circle is a communal conversation with an audience about a piece of theater.
It’s less about the performer/performance and more about the stories and memories that the show brings up from audience members’ own lives.
What do you recognize in this piece of art?
Story Circle approximately 45 minutes.
Kevin T. Baldwin is a member of the American Theatre Critics Association (ATCA)
@MetrmagReviews
@Theatre_Critics
ABOUT ARTSEMERSON
ARTSEMERSON is Emerson College’s professional presenting and producing organization. As part of an institution that believes in fostering creativity, passion, excellence, and inclusivity, we are using art to bring the world to Boston, and to bring Boston together.
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