A Home What Howls

Directed by Laura Alcalá Baker and a play written by Matthew Paul Olmos,' The World Premiere of A Home What Howls (Or the House What Was Ravine) at Steppenwolf Theatre' is centered on youth activism, standing against forces of injustice, and the real-life struggles of displaced communities. The main protagonist is a young lady named Soledad, who has left her father and mother to fight for her family's right to live on their land. As she protests displacement expansion with Frank from the public works department, she pulls upon his ancestral spirit to discover that her plight is not to fight or eradicate those stealing her land but to get them to understand the important heritage the land represents to her people. And while Soledad's parents wait for her return, we discover if she rescues her home or if developers and the coyotes overtake her family. A Home What Howls deals with the resistance of a people seeking the rights to the land promised over the persistence of those placing governmental eminent domain laws to seize their land. It's a production that speaks of protecting the people you love and disenfranchised by those unconcerned about others; not a divisive play but a powerful production that sheds light on the struggles of marginalized communities. During the debate, Soledad and Frank delved into the pressing issues that plagued the communities, the blatant disregard for the impact of land on its current occupant, and the dire need for immediate action to ensure the well-being of the people and the environment.

Olmos admits that before becoming a playwright, he had never seen a theatrical play. He secretly took creative writing courses because his family felt it would lead to a prominent career. Then, after exhausting all creative courses, he began to take theater writing classes. Thankfully, his playwrighting teacher saw he had a gift to start his theater journey. Then, after seeing the 2002 documentary by Michael Moore called Bowling for Columbine, which piqued his interest in becoming a playwright, he purchased Barbara Ehrenreich's book called Nickel and Dimed about trying to get back in America on minimum wage; Olmos began his quest to write plays focusing on social values and injustices within America. The cast included Charín Álvarez (Abrana Vargas), Leslie Sophia Pérez (Soledad), Isabel Quintero (Coyotl/Syera Loma), Tim Hopper (Frank/Male Conductor), and Eddie Torres as Manuel Vargas, A Home What Howls speaks to Olmos's passion for justice, and the core of his need to reflect on the severity of marginalized individuals and communities still fighting social issues and injustice. Unfortunately, this 90-minute production strayed from its central intent —and some scenes felt disconnected, distracting from its overall effectiveness and the power of its conclusion. Although the play attempted to show the human elements of the characters while seeking to empower and inspire the young viewers, it didn't quite hit the mark.

The banter between Pérez, who recently graduated from The Theatre School at DePaul University, and Steppenwolf Ensemble member Hopper, discussing the communities' concerns was engaging. I would have liked to see an extension of this portion of the play, focusing on the community's fear, frustration, and anger at their displacement — and more emphasis on the government's lies and bureaucratic tactics that undervalued the landowners and their property. Lastly, a more in-depth explanation of the importance of the coyotl and the meaning of howling, which in the origins of the Aztec culture represents the intelligence and wit of the coyotl. A word used in the Nahuatl language by the Nahua people and the howling symbolizes a call to the people to help them prepare for the situation happening within the community. On a good note, Leslie Sophia Pérez performs exceptionally as Soledad. She has the potential to become a rising star in the theater industry, and it would be great if the right opportunities come her way. Hopefully, directors in Chicagoland theaters recognize Perez's talent and give her the chance to shine on stage.

A Home What Howls is a refreshing look into social issues but needs work to become an enduring, life-changing production.

⭐⭐ ½

Steppenwolf Theater

A Home What Howls (Or The House What Was Ravine)

World Premiere by Matthew Paul Olmos

Directed by Laura Alcalá Baker

February 7 - March 2, 2024

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