**** Recommended TimeLine Theatre’s production of Sandra Delgado’s new play, Hundreds and Hundreds of Stars, at Lookingglass Theatre, is really timely, since the central character, Clara, artfully played by Delgado herself, is part of the sandwich generation – and dealing with immigration. The story is poignant and thought-provoking. Since it’s set in an earlier, more friendly time, Clara has time to get a lawyer and plead her case in court. 4 Spotlights
Clara came to the United States as a child, she has a green card and a good job as a nurse. She’s a single mother with a tween daughter, Stella (played beautifully by Charlotte Arias alternating with Simona Gueglio-Saccone), an ex-husband, David (Brian King) and an aging father, Papi (Ramón Camin).
Clara (playwright and star Sandra Delgado, right) fights to stay with her daughter Stella (Simona Gueglio-Saccone, pictured, alternating in the role with Charlotte Arias), in TimeLine Theatre's world premiere Hundreds and Hundreds of Stars. Credit: Brett Beiner Photography.
Clara has promised Stella a trip to Paris as soon as she can pass her citizenship test and get a passport. When she tries to get that done, she learns that there’s a problem with immigration and she’s in danger of being deported. She can’t believe it, but she’ll fight it. Why wouldn’t she, she thinks. She has a good job, she’s supports her daughter and her father, she volunteers.
When she finds a good immigration lawyer, she learns that it’s not that easy. She had a marijuana charge as a teen that was expunged, but that doesn’t matter to ICE. It’s on her record. Clara must confront some really awful choices and figure out how to do the best thing for herself and her family.
Clara (playwright and star Sandra Delgado, right) helps her daughter Stella (Charlotte Arias, pictured, alternating in the role with Simona Gueglio-Saccone) with her homework. Photo by Brett Beiner Photography.
Except for Clara and Stella, everyone else in the cast slips into multiple parts. Playing Vega/Cjava, Charin Álvarez. Playing Ruben and others, Donovan Marquis Diaz.
Although I really enjoyed the story, I think it should have run 65 or 70 minutes rather than 90. In between scenes, cast members were doing this odd dancing while spinning and pointing at the stars thing. I think the whole pointing at the stars thing worked as an intro but seemed like padding otherwise.
Clara (playwright and star Sandra Delgado, left) and her ex-husband David (Brian King, right) share some important news with their daughter Stella (Simona Gueglio-Saccone, pictured, alternating in the role with Charlotte Arias). Photo by Brett Beiner Photography.
Delgado wrote the play as a commission for the Chicago Park District’s Theatre on the Lake ‘In the Works” project in partnership with Chicago Dramatists. It was staged as part of the Goodman Theatre’s New Stages Festival in 2018 and again in 2024 with Northeastern Illinois University’s thINKtak Series in partnership with Teatro Vista.
The world premiere of TimeLine Theatre Company’s production of Hundreds and Hundreds of Stars runs through November 9th at Lookingglass Theatre in the historic Water Tower Water Works, 163 E. Pearson, Chicago. Discounted parking is available at 875 N. Michigan, The Olympia Centre Self Park and Water Tower Place. Validate parking ticket at Lookingglass Box Office.
Running time is 90 minutes, no intermission. Performances: Wednesdays & Thursdays at 7:00 pm; Fridays at 7:30 pm; Saturdays at 2:00 & 7:30 pm; Sundays at 2:00 pm. $40-$95. FYI (773) 281-8463 or www.timelinetheatre.com
Playwright Sandra Delgado also stars as Clara in Hundreds and Hundreds of Stars. Photo by Brett Beiner Photography