STAGE REVIEW : ‘Rosario’s Barrio’--It’s Old News

“Rosario’s Barrio” has its entertaining moments but can be too topical for its own good.

The comedy, which begins a five-night run at the Yost Theater tonight, was commissioned in 1989. Back then, its satirical treatment of Columbus’ arrival in the New World had bite; it was contemporary, taking aim at all the hoopla surrounding the then-upcoming anniversary and questioning the explorer’s place in history.

But seen last week at El Camino College in Torrance, it seemed stale. Actually, the same can be said of its sardonic take on the Los Angeles riots. Rodrigo Duarte Clark’s writing makes good points but the material is too familiar. It’s old news.

That’s not to say that “Rosario’s Barrio” isn’t worth seeing. El Teatro de la Esperanza, Duarte Clark’s San Francisco-based troupe, brings skill to the show which covers a wide, often colorful spectrum. And Duarte Clark can be witty, even when his material seems a little tired.

For one thing, he has created an intriguing character in Rosario, a likable guy who has been hired to host a Latino children’s show, sort of like Mr. Rogers with frijoles and salsa . Rosario (played by David Termenal, who also appears in several other roles) wants to put “some chili on the mashed potatoes” but is fought by his ratings-minded producer (Richard Talavera).

As they battle over principles, strange things happen on stage. A series of dreamlike playlets reveal Rosario’s complicated frame of mind. His brain is a fertile place, and everything from Columbus to Little Red Riding Hood to the military to California’s government are skewered there.

The El Teatro de la Esperanza cast is generally very good. Termenal and Talavera are especially adept at revealing the motivation behind their characters. Talavera also turns up as a DEA agent and Termenal becomes the Big Bad Wolf in various segments, further displaying their versatility.

* “Rosario’s Barrio,” Yost Theater, 307 N. Spurgeon St., Santa Ana. Through Saturday. Curtain: 8 p.m. $5 and $10. (714) 558-6869. Running time: 2 hours.

David Termenal Rosario: Big Bad Wolf, accountant

Richard Talavera producer: DEA agent, blind woman

Raquel Haro: Lola, CIA agent, Colon, March Hare, GI Joe

Lisa Cortez Walden: Lily, Little Red, Taina, Yupp, Wilson

Ruben Castro Llizaliturri: Memo, window washer, Isabella

Geri Callejas: stage manager, reporter, Abuelita

An El Teatro de la Esperanza production of the play written and directed by Rodrigo Duarte Clark. Lighting by Elaine Buckholtz. Set by Kate Boyd. Sound by Oriol Galofri.