Mi Vida: A Simona’s Search Review

Simona and Papi, Simona’s Search at Hartford Stage

Simona’s Search is a deep dive into the languages of trauma that inspires us to take a more thorough look at how the pains of our past might be showing up in our present, and against our future. Playwright Martín Zimmerman’s words are the foundation for a beautifully layered production, under the direction of Melia Bensussen, set in the passage of time itself—by way of the lifespan of a memory. Hartford Stage’s theater transforms into a simple set that is compounded by time-moving projections to bring us the captivating exposition of Simona’s Search. It’s a story open-ended enough for each audience member to plug themselves into it—to walk a mile in Simona’s shoes, or that of her father. This production successfully brings theatergoers into the fold.

It highlights themes of generational trauma and healing, of nature versus nurture, while layering themes of assimilation and acculturation—exploring the languages of all of the above, and presenting us with “a field study of the possible symmetry of trauma.”

Simona, played by Alejandra Escalante, goes from a young girl to a young woman in front of us, as we serve as the pages of her diary—her confidante. A moment from her youth triggers a lifelong quest, and we see how the pain, the uncertainty, and the questions of one moment can take up residence in an entire life, metastasizing, and becoming the focus of that life. Papi, Simona’s Father, portrayed by Al Rodrigo, has his own past, and Simona is determined to learn it.

Escalante takes us through the rollercoaster of emotions associated with the feelings of denial, anger, sadness, fear, withdrawal—the spectrum that we’ve all experienced at one time or another. She expertly weaves out of narration and into Simona’s emotions and back without missing a beat.

Rodrigo embodies the cheerful, light-hearted, supportive immigrant father who is enveloped in all things smart. He convincingly snaps between the father whose hopes and dreams are balanced on the shoulders of his daughter and a man who has a haunting secret that he means to shield his new life from— his life, ‘mi vida,’ Simona.

Jake, the unsuspecting outsider, played by Christopher Bannow, serves as mild comedic relief with his insecure ramblings—breaking up the necessary tension of the unfolding plot. The three-person cast juggles the needs of the production, seamlessly weaving in and out of their characters, their emotions, and the more abstract delivery of some of the show’s scenes.

The simplicity of the set is enhanced by the lighting, sound, and projection designs by Aja M. Jackson, Aubrey Dube, and Yana Biryukova. We’re brought into the written conversation between Simona and Jake by way of the projected writing on the walls, allowing us a window into the intimacy of the moment. We’re taken on Papi’s walk through the light-filled passage upstage and what it means for Simona’s quest. We’re allowed a glimpse into Simona’s dreams, adding a layer of depth to our understanding of Simona’s mind and Escalante’s portrayal. The audience is transported through the life of Simona with the help of these immaculately timed technical elements.

In the end, Simona’s Search becomes our own. This production convincingly gets the audience to participate in the search for proof that our traumas aren’t always our own. It allows us to ask ourselves what we’re carrying and why. Further, it gives us glimpses of scientific proof that we aren’t alone.

You can catch "Simona’s Search" at Hartford Stage through February 11, 2024. For tickets, visit Hartford Stage.