Stephanie Machado and Maggie Bofill Photo by T Charles Erickson

Many of the current actors as well as director Lisa Portes were aboard when Laughs in Spanish had its world premiere a couple of years ago at the Denver Center. At Hartford Stage, it flows easily and oftentimes with alacrity through its 90 consecutive minutes.

It is December in the Wynwood section of Miami, the time for Art Basel, and Mariana (Stephanie Machado) finds that a thief has pilfered the best work in her gallery which is called Studio Six. When someone calls on the phone for inquiry, Mari drops her high-pitched, sometimes frantic speaking voice for a lower-pitched, round and corporate replacement. Since her intern Carolina (María Victoria Martínez) was the last to leave the gallery, Mariana wonders if the intern was altogether vigilant. Juan (Luis Vega) wears his Miami Police uniform and Carolina is his girlfriend. Juan thinks Caro is a talented artist and wishes her paintings adorned the now white wall behind them. Carolina is more than willing to supply some of her art. What of Juan and Caro in the future? Something more to mull over.

Maggie Bofill is a splendid fit to portray Estella, mother of Mariana, who has been cast in movies forever. Mother and daughter seem estranged. Estella has evidently kick-started her career with a television show but she now does hope to assist her daughter. Jenny (Olivia Hebert) is assistant to Estella. Jenny and Mariana were at boarding school together some time ago. Their relationship provides for a truly tender, authentic scene. Scheer's cogent writing demonstrates her ability to capture close feelings between two people whether that be mother/daughter or people of the same age. Individuals are conflicted and Scheer draws characters who have dimension, who understand pain.

The emphasis, even as one enters the theater, is upon what is sometimes loud, raucous or manic. Daniela Hart/UptownWorks blasts in rhythmic music well before the actual play begins. The effort is to enliven a willing audience so that all in the house feel and want more of the up-tempo beat. A number of the script's spoken lines are winners but this is not an audacious comedy. It is highly pitched and fast paced.

The play successfully captures Latine culture in today's Miami and it does so through persuasive performances. Stephanie Machado's Mariana is a woman who is trying to make it professionally. She is intense and she is driven. Thus, she reacts to the stolen paintings with frantic dismay. Maggie Bofill plays Estella as one who has been a star and perhaps, as a woman of a certain age, might have a time of it if she's seeking to become a leading lady once again. Her new TV appearance will help.

Director Portes worked on Laughs in Spanish as it came together early in 2023 in Denver. She has been articulate when asked to elaborate upon the mother and daughter aspect which Scheer depicts with great care. Portes is certainly responsible for following through with pulsating velocity to fuel movement and action. She and the cast excel with quieter exchanges. The five-person ensemble is zealous or warm and heartfelt–whatever is required.

Talented Alexis Scheer first began developing this script when she was in an MFA program at Boston University. She now has two commissions and is also working on a book for a musical at Goodspeed. Laughs in Spanish will fill the bill for those in today's audience who harken for brisk, near-the-top theatre.

Laughs in Spanish runs through March 30, 2025, at Hartford Stage, 50 Church St., Hartford CT. For tickets and information, please call 860-527-5151 or visit hartfordstage.org.