Written by Bill Robens, Rio Hondo is a loving send-up of the spaghetti Western, gleefully embracing every dusty cliché, melodramatic showdown, brooding gunslinger, and questionable romance the genre has to offer. And the SPHS Drama Department has taken that recipe, thrown in a generous helping of theatrical mischief, and served up one heck of a good time.
From the moment the action kicks off, this production is a rollicking, rapid-fire romp through the Wild West. The cast is enormous, the energy is infectious, and the characters are as gloriously over-the-top as a cowboy’s belt buckle. There are sight gags galore, ingenious uses of props, and comedic surprises lurking around practically every corner. Keep your eyes peeled for the remarkably clever horses, a fall-down-funny stagecoach robbery, an insanely inventive death fall, and, naturally, gunfights. Lots and lots of gunfights! The physical comedy is inspired, the timing is terrific, and the cast commits to every bit of absurdity with infectious enthusiasm.
Pulling all these moving parts together is director Nick Hoffa, whose talent for orchestrating a huge ensemble is nothing short of impressive. Wrangling this many actors, keeping the action moving at a breakneck pace, and maintaining precision amid all the delightful chaos is no small feat. Yet Hoffa makes it look effortless. His direction is nimble, inventive, and wonderfully attuned to the comedic possibilities of the material. It’s clear that he and his cast are having an absolute ball, and that joy is contagious. The audience is right there along for the ride.
A few performances deserve a special tip of the ten-gallon hat. Talia Wechsler brings fierce tenacity and wonderfully exasperated authority to Sheriff Sanchez, expertly herding this town’s assortment of wild characters (and probably a few cats) while trying to maintain some semblance of law and order. Sasha Levie is tough as dirt as cattle rancher Clementine, complete with an accent that could stop a runaway train. Logan Burmood and Moxxie Ross are an absolute hoot as two cowboys whose affection for one another runs considerably deeper than your average bunkhouse bromance. And Em Roberts Mataric brings a welcome sweetness and somber integrity to Bert, the troubled sharpshooter at the center of the story, giving the production a little heart amid all the hilarity.
Adding another wonderful dimension to the production is the live music and song provided by the aptly named “Scum Band.” Positioned right there onstage, the musicians contribute an infectious energy and authenticity, particularly in the saloon scenes, where the atmosphere practically transports you to a rowdy frontier watering hole. It’s a terrific theatrical touch that makes the world of Rio Hondo feel all the more alive.
The visual world is equally well realized. Technical director James Jontz and his student crew have created a wonderfully weathered Western landscape, with sun-baked wooden facades and projections that evoke old-fashioned Wild West scenery flickering across an outdoor movie screen. The result feels like stepping onto a dusty frontier main street, and you half expect a tumbleweed to roll across the stage at any moment. It’s an imaginative, effective design that makes excellent use of the space without ever getting in the way of the action.
And there’s more artistry to admire beyond the stage. The programs, poster, and lobby walls are adorned with artwork by Aimee Levie’s talented art students, continuing a longstanding SPHS tradition of showcasing student-created artwork as part of each production. It’s always a pleasure to see young artists contributing to the visual identity of the school’s theatrical productions, and this year’s work is another impressive example of the creativity thriving throughout the program.
Which brings us to something worth celebrating in its own right: the SPHS Drama Department. Productions like Rio Hondo don’t happen by accident. They are the result of a dedicated director, talented students, and a program that gives young people the opportunity to stretch their creative muscles, take risks, collaborate, and discover just how much they can accomplish together. Hoffa has clearly built something special here. The scale, confidence, commitment, and sheer exuberance on display are a testament to the theatrical community he has cultivated and the young performers who bring it to life.
In a world that can sometimes feel a little too serious, there’s something wonderfully restorative about gathering in a darkened theater, putting everything else aside, and simply laughing together. Rio Hondo delivers that in spades. It’s big, boisterous, gloriously silly entertainment, brought to life by a cast that throws itself into every wild and woolly moment.
So don’t be a tenderfoot! There’s just one more weekend to catch this rootin’-tootin’ production. Round up your family, rustle up some friends, and head on over to the SPHS Little Theater. With this much talent, this much heart, and this many gunfights, Rio Hondo is a sure-fire good time. Miss it, and you’ll be left standing at the station watching the stagecoach ride off without you!
Remaining performances:
- Friday, November 13 at 7:00 PM
- Saturday, November 14 at 7:00 PM
- Sunday, November 15 at 2:00 PM
South Pasadena High School – Little Theater
1401 Fremont Avenue, South Pasadena
Tickets: $15 General Admission
Tickets available at southpasdrama.com and at the door. Seating is limited, so advance purchase is recommended.
