By Eva Trieger
SOLANA BEACH, California — What a sweet ride! San Diego Rep’s end-of-summer offering, 57 Chevy, provides not only a cruise down Memory Lane, but reveals the immigrant experience of one man’s family as they assimilated to life in the United States. Cris Franco and co-writer Valerie Dunlap’s story vrooms to life in this one-man play, starring Ric Salinas. Under the direction of Herbert Siguenza and Sam Woodhouse, auto mechanic Cris relates his parents’ journey from Mexico to Southern California during the turbulent 1960s.
The streaming show opens in a suburban garage in the San Fernando Valley where Cris is reminiscing about his own life’s journey from Mexico to South Central Los Angeles, and eventually to a house in the San Fernando Valley. This upwardly mobile spiral was not always easy and was not always welcomed by our protagonist. As Cris describes the magnificent Chevys of his day “Calypso green, matador red with tapering tailfins,” the viewer takes in all of the other accouterment endemic to the era. The space holds a hula hoop, a familiar jazz tune, and the earworm, “See the USA in your Chevrolet.”
Cris describes his father as diminutive in stature but larger than life in personality and ability. He describes his papa as “Mexican duct tape.” Self-professed, his father had “the skill to fix any car.” Despite this gift, he was poor. His humble beginnings were permanently altered with the association of a Mrs. Mimi Barnes. This American woman befriended Cris’ dad and arranged for an introduction to an influential man, the owner of the Mitchelmore Volkswagen dealership. Mimi who worked at the State Department acquired a work visa and el resto es historia.
While Cris’ dad enjoyed employment and earned a living he was unable to be with his family even as his wife delivered his first son, Cris, in Mexico. As soon as he’d saved up enough money ($1,802) he bought a Chevy and drove night and day to Mexico City to collect his family.
The purchase of this car meant owning a piece of America.
While Cristobal’s father wanted his children to experience the benefits of American life, he did not want them to become Americans. He felt strongly that a work ethic and respect for parents were critical and something that American children lacked. He wanted his children to have aspirations and to strive for success. He cautioned Cris Jr., “You’re 9 years old. Time is running out. You should be a doctor, a lawyer, or at least an engineer.”
As soon as profits allowed, Cris Sr. moved his family to the San Fernando Valley. Junior felt it was “all the same” and missed his home in South Central. That was until he saw it burning during the Watts riots. He struggled to fit into his new home in the Valley, ridiculed by the non-Spanish speakers at his school.
This vibrant biography is made accessible by the brilliant acting of Salinas and the honest writing of Franco and Dunlap. The show is a true celebration of immigration and the mutually beneficial relationship that results from a blending of cultures, traditions, and ethics.
57 Chevy tickets may be purchased at boxoffice@sdrep.org or by calling 619.544.1000.
The show runs through August 15, 2021.
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Eva Trieger is a freelance writer specializing in coverage of the arts. She may be contacted via eva.trieger@sdjewishworld.com