Review: Laughs And Latino Stereotypes Abound In ¡HISPANIC ATTACK!

Sunday 26th June 2016, 7pm, Hayes Theatre, Potts Point

The stories and snipes of a Latino 'superstar' are shared over 70 minutes of high energy dance and song in ¡HISPANIC ATTACK! Presented as part of Hayes Theatre's 2016 Cabaret Season, Ryan Gonzalez shares the story of 'his' rise to 'fame' from rural Spain to Australian stage.

The brain child of Gonzalez, Amy Campbell(Choreographer) and Richard Carroll (written and directed by Carroll), ¡HISPANIC ATTACK! Is a bizarre, high energy explosion of testosterone, ego and polyester. Based on the premise that Gonzalez is a Spanish icon, having risen to fame as a singer, songwriter, dancer, telenovela star, three time Eurovision Song Contest participant, and talent show judge, with followings in Spain, Latin America and South Korea, Gonzalez shares snippets of "his" journey. Copious amounts of stereotypes, slipping into the "casual racism" that Gonzalez claims to be an Australian past time, and name dropping are thrown in to the mix of music, pelvis gyrating dance, not so subtle boasting along with a liberal dose of bitterness towards the man he believes took all of his fame and fortune, Ricky Martin.

Gonzalez gives the role the largess and ego big enough to fill the alleged original venue of the Sydney Cricket Ground. The stage is kept relatively bare with Musical Director Conrad Hamill on piano and keyboard and only a small table holding props and stool, allowing most of the stage for Gonzalez's high energy dance and the obligatory moment of audience humiliation. Gonzalez's vocals are backed by a combination of Hamill's live performance and recorded backing tracks including backup singers. Gonzalez has a generally strong voice and the arrangement of PHANTOM OF THE OPERA's All I Ask Of You, where he undertakes both roles of is well executed. The arrangement of the Australian Medley however hasn't been adjusted to suit Gonzalez's range with strained and off key top notes detracting from the performance.

¡HISPANIC ATTACK! Is a fun filled night of light hearted comedy entertainment. The audience demographic indicated that it was a crowd pleaser for Latino audiences that enjoyed seeing the stereotypes of their community onstage. For Cabaret fans and the general public, this is an easy night out of laughs as Gonzalez shines a spotlight on a segment of the community that isn't often expressed on Australian stages.

Written and directed by Richard Carroll
Conceived by Amy Campbell, Richard Carroll and Ryan Gonzalez
Musical Director Conrad Hamill
Choreographer Amy Campbell
Starring Ryan Gonzalez

¡HISPANIC ATTACK!
Hayes Theatre, Potts Point

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