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Frida - Stroke of Passion: The Immersive Experience
June 3, 2025
By Bessy ADUT
Frida Kahlo has always been my favorite female artist of all time, and I was very excited to go see my friend Lizette Santiago in the immersive play. Aside from her artwork, the last work I have seen about Frida was the movie with Salma Hayek directed by the great female director Julie Taymor portraying her, and I remember being impressed by her difficult life and authentic personality.
I was surprised to find out Kahlo’s father was Jewish and her paternal grandparents were jews from city of Arad, even though it was challenged by German genealogists, I believe her. No need to lie about her heritage under her circumstances, as a woman being so brave and outspoken. Her father, Guillermo Kahlo, was a German immigrant who later adopted the name Guillermo and was of Hungarian-Jewish descent, according to Kahlo. Kahlo herself claimed Jewish heritage and was known for her outspoken support of Jewish people and causes, even refusing to stay in a hotel with an antisemitic policy. She was an incredible artist and personality, and I was very excited to watch the play.
The immersive play did not disappoint. We see a short slice of her life around her birthday. In the play, her painful health situation, her marriage, and several friends/lovers are portrayed. There is a theory about her death and immortal art.
Frida was a Mexican painter, she was one of the first selfie portrait artists. She inspired the country's popular culture. Her paintings had a mix of reality and surreal fantasies. She belonged to the post-revolutionary Mexicayotl movement. She is described as a surrealist and a magical realist. She did most of her artwork in chronic pain due to her leg.
With that background information, I would like to talk about the play I saw at Casa 0101 Theater in Los Angeles. Play brought Frida back alive in front of our eyes and pulled us into its colorful world. The background work was very beautiful with colorful artwork and immersive videos.
We witness the emotional and physical state of Frida, close to the end of her life. She was loved by many, not only her husband but also by her many friends and lovers from both genders surrounding her. The slice of life of the play is around Frida’s 47th birthday on July 6th, 1954. We watch a week of her life.
Odalys Nanin, the playwright, director, and star of "Frida: Stroke of Passion," put the whole thing together successfully and made a very believable and lovable stage performance along with her incredible cast ensemble. She has previously written and directed plays such as Love Struck, Skin of Honey, Garbo’s Cuban Lover, The Nun and the Countess, and many others.
She was rewarded with the Nancy Dean Playwriting Award and is the Founder and Producing Artistic Director of Macha Theatre/Films. In addition to Odalys Nanin as Frida, the cast of "Frida - Stroke of Passion: The Immersive Experience" includes Oscar Basulto, Tricia Cruz, Gia Mundy, Gisel Murillo, Francisco Medina, Lizette Santiago, Swisyzinna, Paul Cascante, Isabella Donnelly, and Alejandro Valtierra. I included their bios at the bottom of my article; please feel free to find and follow them on social media as well.
The set design was created by Marco de Leon, with lighting design by Alex Parra, and immersive design by Anthony Storniolo. Co directed by Carmelita Maldonado.
Music of the play was also moving, it included some songs such as “Paloma Negra,” “La Llorona,” “Piensa en mí,” “Estas Son Las Mañanitas,” and “María Bonita.”
Play opened very nicely with a mariachi band featuring Francisco Medina and Chavela Vargas, played by Gia Mundy. They sang “Las Mañanitas,” with Francisco acted as both a fabulous musician and the character Manolo. Gisel Murillo as Maria Felix is also a great singer and we find out about their relationship.
Frida is quoted as saying “I live to paint and to make love.”
Upon this article, I recommend everyone to take another look at Frida’s artwork, watch the movie, and when you get a chance to definitely see this play.
CAST & CHARACTERS:
♦Odalys Nanin (Frida Khalo-Writer-Creator-Producer-Director)
"Frida: A Stroke of Passion, The Immersive Experience" is her Award-Winning Show that was presented by Macha Theater/ Films and Casa 0101. ODALYS NANIN is an award-winning playwright, director, producer, and founder/artistic director of Macha Theatre/Films.
She has written ten plays to date: Love Struck, Garbo’s Cuban Lover, The Nun and the Countess, Beyond Love, Skin of Honey, The Adventures of the Lieutenant Nun, Naked in the Tropics, Lavender Love, Marilyn: My Secret, and The Judy Garland Show.
She’s also a Filmmaker and has written three screenplays and produced two short films. Ms. Nanin’s plays have garnered LA Weekly Pick of the week, Backstage Critics Pick, LA Times Critic’s Choice, Best play by The Advocate and Curve Magazine. She was chosen by OUT Magazine as one out of 100 that made a difference in 2007. Ms. Nanin is the recipient of three Drama Log theatre awards (for acting, directing, and producing), the Maverick Award (Women’s Theatre Festival), and the Pat Parker Arts Award from (Christopher Street West). Ms. Nanin is also an actress and recently co-starred with AJ Cook and Shemar Moore in Criminal Minds. She’s a graduate of The Drama Studio London and Rutgers University. Ms. Nanin was interviewed by CAREER GIRLS as a role model in theatre for young girls.
♦Lizette Santiago (Tina Modotti/ Teresa Proenza)
Lizette brightened the stage and lit it up with her powerful stage presence. She also played two different characters in the play. These two characters were based on two real-life women who had an impact during their time. Tina Modotti, an Italian American photographer, actor, and revolutionary political activist, was in a movie in the 1920s called "The Tiger's Coat." The other role was Teresa Proenza (1908-1989), a Cuban spy in politics, culture, and art in Mexico. She arrived in exile in Mexico in 1933. These two roles were completely different but important in Frida and Diego’s lives. Lizette is an award-winning and nominated actress both on the stage and in films. To be honest, she has been the reason we go to the theater lately, as we don’t miss a live performance of hers! She is an actress I have in mind to work with in my movies and wish to see more of her performances, both on stage and on screen!
♦Carmelita Maldonado (Co-Director) is an actor, director, writer, and filmmaker from Boyle Heights. You can see her movie La Wija on YouTube. Carmelita was amazing as a co-director for "Frida - Stroke of Passion." She kept us together and grounded. One of the most amazing theatre co-directors that I worked with.
Carmelita was a big part of "Frida: Stroke of Passion." Love her and this is the second time that Carmelita and I worked together as she cast me in the short film "LA WIJA" which won many awards and we are seeking to create into a feature film.
She also celebrated her Birthday with the cast on Opening Night!
♦Gia Mundy (Chavela Vargas)
Apparently, many people cried with the llorona song at the end of the play. People cried with the last song. Gia sang and acted delightfully.
She was born on October 30th, 1986, in Guatemala City, into a musical family. From a very early age she showed interest in performing arts, her love for the arts grew as time went by, after winning several singing contests as a child and teenager she decided that it was time to take the next step and began her musical education with Dr. Angelica Rosa (Graduated from Juilliard school of Music). As part of her training as a singer, she began taking acting classes, where she discovered a passion for acting. In 2008, Gia was part of WCOPA an international performing arts competition In Los Angeles CA with over 2,000 contestants from all over the world, she won multiple medals and trophies in the categories of singing, acting, dancing and musical theatre as well as a scholarship to attend The New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts.
♦Alejandro Valtierra (Judas)
A Mexican and Puerto Rican writer, actor, producer, costume designer, publisher, and podcast host from the Midwest. He has acted in films that garnered attention from LALIFF, Outfest, and HollyShorts, as well as in theatrical works at Short+Sweet, Brisk, Frida Kahlo Theater, Renberg Theatre, and Casa 0101.
Per her cast and crew, Alejandro was AMAZING to work with as an actor and fellow thespian. Plus, he is the second actor in this play that are of Puerto Rican descent.
♦Oscar Basulto (Diego Rivera)
Native Angelino and Theater Artist who has written and performed in Several Plays at Casa 0101.
*Love Oscar's use of this quote "Life is most exciting when we are put in the uncomfortable position of having to evaluate our beliefs." -Alice Bag
The fighting scene was remarkable.
♦Giselle Murillo (Maria Felix)
Giselle’s singing lit up the stage; we would like to see more of her musical performances.
♦SwisyZinna (Josephine Baker)
An award-winning SAG-AFTRA actress who has been performing professionally for over 30 years. She began training at the prestigious Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. She continued at NSU and followed with her MFA in Directing and Acting. Swisyzinna has a devoted fan base called "The SwissArmy."
SwisyZinna told me that she always wanted to play Josephine Baker, and she got her dream by doing a phenomenal job bringing the legend to life on the stage in the "Frida - Stroke of Passion: The Immersive Experience Play." I saw how much the audience loved her performance, as well as her dance scene and her stardom.
In her own words, "Josephine Baker is a highly revered person in the black community and it was an honor and a privilege to play her."
♦Tricia Cruz (Nurse Judith)
Proudly celebrates her Mexican heritage, saying, "growing up in America with my rich culture has helped me create relatable characters." She is always ecstatic and grateful to perform at the Casa0101 Theatre. This is her second run of "Frida - Stroke of Passion." Tricia can also be seen in the movie "20 Pounds to Happiness," written by Josefina Lopez who happens to be the Artistic Director of CASA 010. Tricia won Best Supporting Actress at the Independent Shorts Awards for House of the Butterfly.
♦Francisco Medina (Musician/Manolo)
This was his fourth run as the musician and Manolo for "Frida - Stroke of Passion." Several ladies and men even had a little crush on him. Lol! He is such a talented musician. He also performed as an actor in the show, along with playing the guitar and he is an all-around talented artist. His musical performances were a pleasure to watch.
♦Paul Cascante (Leon Trotsky's Voice)
Paul is the voice of Trotsky on the projector and screens that you saw during the show "Frida - Stroke of Passion: The Immersive Experience."
♦Isabella Donelly (Little Diego's Voice)
Isabella decided to just incorporate her digitally by using her voice only. She is a girl but played the boy's voice. Good for her!
♦Christopher Ayala (Stage Manager)
The cast was very impressed by how great he helped to run the show and kept things on schedule for them all. He was a fantastic Stage Manager!
♦Benji (Benjamin Pimentel)
He was the hair and makeup artist backstage, helping them all look good!!! Benji is a talented makeup and hair artist for many celebrities and artists. A long-time friend of Gia Mundy who brought him on board. The cast was extremely grateful to Benji!
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