Political satire or War of the Roses?

In Creede, ‘Native Gardens’ takes on different types of divides

Native Gardens comes off as political satire with its characters bing a young Latinx Democrat couple and their Washington Beltway neighbors a White Republican couple with ties to defense contractors and the “bureau.” Written by Latinx playwright Karen Zacarias, Native Gardens pits the Del Valles and the Butleys against one another as they battle it out over 2 feet of property.

From the very beginning, the audience can sense something is not quite right about the relationship between the Del Valles and the Butleys. The younger couple has moved into an established neighborhood, where White neighbors vie for garden-of-the-year awards. The Del Valles are ready to turn this world upside down with Tania’s desire for a native garden that is friendly to the environment and the insects. This is in direct contrast to Frank’s non-native species and use of pesticides.

The set helps tell the story, as the audience sees the yards of two houses. The structures are similar, but the yards are vastly different. One is clean, manicured and almost sterile. The other is wild, overgrown and framed with a lovely oak tree. Then there is the wire fence that draws the incorrect property line. It causes the problem as it weaves together the tale of two worlds that are about to collide on one block, in a quiet neighborhood.

The story and the conflict take off from there and only grows when Pablo, an attorney, discovers the Butleys are encroaching on their property. One might think this would lead to World War II, but despite their differences both couples want to get along. Pablo is the first to cause conflict. The character is magnificently portrayed by the hilarious Matt Zambrano. He butts up against seasoned comedic actor Stuart Rider, who matches Zambrano’s hysterics. Butley is a perfect foil – seemingly bumbling, but also lovable and wiser than he seems — and Rider nails the character.

The wives – Emily Bosco, as Tania Del Valle, and Christy Brandt, as Virginia Butley — can’t believe how their husbands managed to cause conflict. They want to smooth everything over. They are bright women: Tania is working on her doctorate and Virginia was an engineer. Will they get along and ease the brewing battle? Bosco is a perfect Tania – smart and witty – she plays the role with depth and understanding. Brandt, who has been with Creede for many years, expertly handles the sometimes complex and not always savvy Virginia.

The ensemble is rounded out with Brandon Guzman and Alejandro Rowinsky. They are the surveyors and the yard workers and also the comic relief. Guzman dances across the stage to Latin tunes and Rowinsky watches shaking his head. They add to the story with their presence.

Native Gardens is funny, yet it has deep underlying themes of White privilege, racism and colonialism tied in with climate change and the political differences between Democrats and Republicans. However, Zacarias ties it all together with a pretty bow that doesn’t make any of the characters look too awful. This is terrific, thought-provoking show with magnificent actors, who will make you laugh while stirring up all kinds of divides relevant to today’s political environment.