A Review of the Play, Miss You Like Hell, A Musical Without Borders at the Baltimore Center Stage

A few weeks ago, I saw Miss You Like Hell – A Musical Without Borders, the opening show of the 2019/2020 season at Baltimore Center Stage. This play is the adaptation of the book and lyrics written by Quiara Alegría Hudes and is directed by Rebecca Martínez.

In this play, a mother Beatriz (played by Lorraine Velez, twin sister of Lauren Velez from New York Undercover) is undocumented and is facing deportation. Before this happens, Beatriz must see her daughter, Olivia (played by Stephanie Gomérez) and take her on a road trip from Philadelphia to California. On the way, they meet many folks who helped them gain a better understanding of their bond.

Relationships are hard enough but when a mother has been gone out of a daughter’s life without a fight and without an explanation, there are lots of unresolved issues. Olivia is headstrong and rebellious. She doesn’t like wearing dresses and is promiscuous. All this is new to Beatriz who despite the fact she could lose her immigration hearing wants to connect with her daughter on a deeper level and to teach her about her indigenous ancestry. It was a struggle at first but through Beatriz’s persistence…love conquered all.

I thoroughly enjoyed the show because it dealt with the hot button issue of immigration and how families are affected. I thought Beatriz dealt with this issue very well. She knew the consequences and faced it like a champion. The actors were fantastic and the songs were beautifully performed bringing to life the struggles, the fears, the angst and finally the love and acceptance between a mother and daughter amidst a situation out of their control.

Wow – two thumbs up for this thought-provoking play. I eagerly await the next show.

Here’s to another great season of theatre! Oh before I go, this play runs through October 13, 2019 so get your tickets today!

Here’s the synopsis from https://www.centerstage.org/plays-and-events/mainstage/miss-you-like-hell

Everyone has baggage in this timely mother-daughter musical about escaping and belonging from the Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright who wrote the book for the Tony Award-winning In the Heights. Join Olivia and her mother on their cross-country road trip. Mothers may teach you where you come from, but they can be the trickiest things. road trip. Mothers may teach you where you come from, but they can be the trickiest things.

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