Bilingual Foundation Serves Up an Uneven but Amusing ‘Tortilla’

Several different styles of comedy collide in the Bilingual Foundation of the Arts’ revival of “Our Lady of the Tortilla,” or at least in the English-language version seen by this writer (on alternate weeks, including this week, the show is presented in Spanish). The results deflate some of the potential for humor.

Set in East Los Angeles, Luis Santeiro’s play is about Dolores (Angelina Estrada), a devout woman who makes a tortilla that has the image of the Blessed Virgin on it. Her preppy nephew Nelson (Roberto Bezanilla) has anxiety attacks, fearing his Spanish-malapropism-spouting girlfriend Beverly (Patricia DeLaunay) will think his family is crazy. His older brother Eddy (John Paul Jones) attempts to capitalize on the financial possibilities of his aunt’s new-found celebrity while making the moves on Beverly. Their mother, Dahlia (Margarita Stocker), is trying to use this miraculous event to win back her estranged husband.

Under Margarita Galban’s direction, the comedic styles range from Estrada’s matter-of-fact gentle persuasion to the over-the-top anxiety of Bezanilla. Their timing is also just a tad off at points.

Worse, one really doesn’t believe this setup. None of the four family members shows the nuanced comfort zones and hidden agendas of a family.

This production still manages to be mildly amusing, despite its uneven presentation.

BE THERE

“Our Lady of the Tortilla,” Bilingual Foundation of the Arts, 421 N. Avenue 19, Los Angeles. Alternates weekly in Spanish and English. Thursdays-Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 3 p.m. This week: Spanish. Ends March 29. $18. (213) 225-4044; (213) 226-1170. Running time: 2 hours.