Review: ‘The Hour of the Star’ at Broadwater Black Box Theatre
- Dondre Tuck
- 16 hours ago
- 3 min read
Bruna Fachetti’s “The Hour of the Star” — adapted from Brazilian author Clarice Lispector’s novella of the same name, translated by Benjamin Moser — enjoyed its world premiere recently at the Broadwater Black Box Theatre, well directed Alex Tietre.
The story follows Macabéa, a poor young orphan who is practically invisible to the world around her. She moves through life without questioning her circumstances or believing she deserves more. That begins to change when a fortune-teller gives her hope for a better future, causing Macabéa to see her life in a new way.
Fachetti is also the “star” of this one-woman show. She seamlessly moves among several characters while giving each a distinct voice, personality, and physical presence. Her vocal commitment and physicality keep the audience locked in while allowing the emotional moments to land.
Her portrayals of Macabéa, narrator Rodrigo, and a doctor stood out to me the most. Though he's writing Macabéa’s story, Rodrigo questions whether he can truly understand or accurately represent her life. By contrast, the doctor Macabéa visits provides her with a diagnosis but ultimately dismisses her and gives her the cold shoulder — another example of people overlooking Macabéa's suffering, even when it’s their duty to provide care.
Tietre’s direction is tastefully done. The pacing never drags, and the simple but effective staging gives the production enough movement and depth. Tietre does an excellent job balancing the humor, sadness and tension without allowing one emotion to overpower the others. This gives the show room to breathe and makes the story feel more human.
I also enjoyed the simple creative choices throughout the production, specifically the use of bubbles to represent rain and a desk chair becoming a mirror for Macabéa, later transforming into a vehicle with the help of lightbulbs. Izabela Jadeja’s set design keeps the focus on Fachetti while allowing the desk chair to become an important extension of both the setting and performance.
Michele Curcho’s costume design also works well, especially since Fachetti plays several characters without changing outfits. Her green vest, yellow long-sleeve shirt and orange trousers create a colorful look that fits the world of the show without becoming distracting. The lighting is also excellent, keeping Fachetti visible while elevating the emotional moments.
The message that resonated with me the most is that every human life has value, even if that person has not accomplished anything society considers important. Macabéa may not bring anything traditionally valuable into the world, but her life is still worthy of being seen and recognized. Rodrigo’s struggle to tell her story also raises questions about how we speak for people whose lives are often overlooked.
“The Hour of the Star” is thought-provoking, impactful and emotionally layered. I was impressed by the simplicity of the production, the depth of the storytelling and the professionalism of Fachetti and the entire creative team. This is the type of show that stays with you on your way home, thinking about the value of simply being human.
“The Hour of the Star” performed at the Broadwater Black Box Theatre, 6322 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, from July 25 to Aug. 1. Run time is one hour with no intermission.
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