Goodman Theatre Presents ZULEMA Review — Dancing Around the World

Goodman Theatre Presents ZULEMA

Written by Dolores Diaz and directed by Marcela Muñoz, Zulema centers on the title character as she relives her journey from Chiapas to Chicago. When Grown Zulema/Mamá’s (Jazmín Corona) daughter, Itzel (Mía Nevarez) asks her to tell the story, Zulema explains that it was through this journey she learned to dance. In her retelling, as young Zulema hits each major city or neighborhood along the way, more than 50 different musicians and dancers join the cast to showcase the sights and sounds of the journey. Goodman partnered with performers, ensembles, and companies from all over the city, creating what this writer experienced as a thrilling, musical spectacle from start to finish.

When Zulema reaches Chinatown for example, Goodman utilized a partnership with Hao Dance. As Zulema describes what she sees, photos of Chinatown fill the screen at the back of the stage. Images of the neighborhood scroll through, transporting the audience to the familiar sites of the Chinatown Gate and neighboring restaurants. Slowly, female dancers enter in dresses of bright pink, green, and orange – with water sleeves that extend almost to the floor. They wave parasols in the air, and dance around Zulema who is completely entranced in their movement. In this way, the play is less a story than a showcase of music and dancing from various ports in between Chiapas and Chicago.