Julia Weber
Staff writer
Chautauqua Theater Company continues its run of the DNAWORKS production of The Real James Bond…Was Dominican at 2 p.m. today in Bratton Theater.
For percussionist Jonathan Gomez, the live music incorporated into the play — an autobiographical work written and performed by Christopher Rivas — is an additional layer of connection with Latin culture, and it illuminates both the main character, Chris, and Porfirio Rubirosa’s Dominican heritage. Rubirosa is the man believed to be the inspiration for Ian Fleming’s James Bond, and in The Real James Bond…Was Dominican, Rivas shares his story as told through the eyes of a young Dominican boy.
“(The music) helps bring the connection with the cultural side of it,” Gomez said. “Drumming is such an important part of Latin culture, and the patterns or the rhythms that are played throughout the show are mostly (from) Latin and traditional Dominican (and) Puerto Rican culture, so it really helps glue the cultural side into Chris’ life story of Porfirio Rubirosa.”
Gomez said the experience has been a powerful one in which he has employed his lived experiences and heritage as a Latino artist to connect with the play and its score.
“I also feel that I very much identify with the story. As an immigrant, as somebody that is trying to get their voice heard, this is a great platform for that,” Gomez said.
Gomez shared that his favorite moment of the play takes place during the last scene in which he has an opportunity to sing and play at the same time. He sees it as an exciting challenge — Gomez isn’t a singer by trade — and it’s an important song in Latin culture, which he thinks will resonate with audience members.
“It’s my favorite time not only because of how I enjoy it, but also how other people get impacted by it,” he said.
Gomez has immersed himself in percussion since he was a child, having studied numerous Latin and American musical techniques. He described learning these regional sounds as a chance to learn about other cultures.
“Percussion has been a way for me to get closer to other cultures, to understand other cultures and to submerge myself in other cultures. (It) has been a very enriching process,” he said.
Though the play grapples with many complex issues and explores belonging and finding community through shared heritage, for Gomez, the main takeaway is about accepting oneself and embracing the breadth of human experiences and cultures.
“There’s a line that really resonates in the play for me that says, ‘You should never let those that don’t have to think of the way they look be your role model,’ ” he said. “The more you embrace yourself, the happier you’ll be at the end of the day.”
