Las Garcia - BEYOND ENCORE

Impressive depth from a writer so young. Excited to see where she goes.... full review

This show is phenomenal and Gabriela Ortega is a powerhouse of talent. I truly felt that I was watching multiple characters on stage even though it's a one woman show. Gabriela embodies each character with her entire being and it is incredible to see how the story unfolds. The writing, directing, staging, lighting, sound and of course acting are top notch! This is definitely a highlight at Fringe this year, and a must-see! ... full review

I could not take my eyes away. The disturbance outside the theater became a part of the story. I'm looking forward to seeing Gabriel Christina Ortega Garcia in the future.... full review

Before going to see Las Garcia my impression and definition of any Solo Show was that it was a collection of funny, glib, gently touching anecdotes from a person's life and history, usually delivered with a casual 4th wall-break approach. Las Garcia went above and beyond those expectations. Gabriela Ortega writes characters--and yes, they are characters, she plays about 10-12 different ones in a solid hour with an acting proficiency that can only described as turn-on-a-dime--that are filled with fire, with blood, with an individual story for each one that will reach into your chest and pull at your heart strings. Las Garcia is a poetic and poignant look at heritage and what it means to be truly 'home', as laugh out loud funny as much... full review

A powerful, meaningful show. Gabriela's performance is incredibly moving.... full review

Gabriela Ortega is a true artist of the 21st century. Not only has she found a story worth telling, but created a beautiful tapestry of moving art to show us. A one-woman show has its inevitable traps, but Gabriela manages to create fully developed, complex characters-- both male and female-- in a way that is honest and truthful. Las Garcia is a moving and beautiful play.... full review

A beautiful young woman honoring her family, her history, and her legacy in an artful creative, graceful, poetic way. And even though we were in a small black box theatre, I was transported to the Dominican Republic! ... full review

Transcendental, mesmerizing, explosive, dynamic, raw, honest, powerful, sensational, breath-taking. I'm not exaggerating. I was blown away by Gabriella's amazing stage presence. I couldn't take my eyes off of her the entire time. She transformed from one character to the next flawlessly, taking the audience on a journey that spans time and place. What an incredible story! What an incredible actress! Gabriella spoke and sang from her heart retelling the life of her grandmother whilst interpreting several characters including her mother and herself at different ages. This is what theatre should be; a deep visceral connection between audience and performer, and I truly felt that in last night's performance. The moment when she is her grandmothe... full review

Gabriela torches the stage and mesmerizes the audience with her intense passion and deft delivery. Her family pride runs deep and she skillfully inhabits and navigates through the influential women in her life in a measured, well-paced performance. I doubt there are many solo performers her age with her precociousness and sensitivity. She is a deep, beautiful soul and absolutely riveting. A must see!... full review

Performer Gabriela Ortega certainly has the chops to pull off a solo show. She is a charismatic performer who can switch emotions and characters at the drop of a hat. While it is good, I feel that the script could use some work. Her present day character - a college student yearning to learn more about her past and culture - is cute, but there are several subplots that she introduces that are never resolved. This leaves the character’s story feeling haphazard and unresolved. In stark contrast, the real meat of this show lies in her flashback character - a young singer who gets caught up in the 1965 April revolution in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. The energy and urgency of this character is captivating and Ortega shines in the role. ... full review