LOS ANGELES – Roxana Ortega delivers a profoundly moving and unflinchingly honest solo performance in ”Am I Roxie?” now playing at the Geffen Playhouse,confronting the heartbreaking realities of her mother’s descent into Alzheimer’s disease and the complex emotional landscape of caregiving. The 85-minute show, directed by Bernardo Cubría, isn’t a conventional narrative play but a deeply personal and intimate confession, forging a powerful connection with audiences through Ortega’s vulnerability and grace.
The production arrives at a moment when millions grapple with the escalating crisis of dementia, with diagnoses projected to surge as the population ages. “am I Roxie?” offers a rare and vital glimpse into the experience of both the caregiver and the afflicted, challenging audiences to consider the ethical and emotional weight of defining identity in the face of cognitive decline. Ortega’s story resonates not only with those directly impacted by Alzheimer’s but with anyone who has navigated the complexities of family, loss, and the search for meaning.
Ortega’s performance centers on her mother, Carmen‘s, increasingly fractured reality, where she oscillates between recognizing her daughter and believing Ortega is her sister, Roxie.The play doesn’t shy away from the frustration and helplessness, but it’s Ortega’s refusal to reduce her mother’s confusion to a mere “symptom” that anchors the emotional core. She recounts Carmen’s poignant questions - “How are you doing in your life, Roxie?” – and her own struggle to reconcile the woman her mother was with the person she is becoming.
cubría’s direction is deliberately restrained. Minimalist set pieces shift mechanically, and projections offer abstract visuals, including a metaphorical climb up Mt. Kilimanjaro representing their mental health journey, but the focus remains squarely on Ortega. She shares her fears of failing her mother, acknowledging moments of exasperation alongside unwavering love.
“Am I Roxie?” isn’t reliant on spectacle; it’s a testament to the power of storytelling and the enduring strength of the human spirit. The play runs through Oct. 5 at the Gil Cates Theater at Geffen Playhouse, 10886 Le Conte Ave., L.A. Tickets are $45-$139 and available at (310) 208-2028 or www.geffenplayhouse.org. The running time is 1 hour, 25 minutes.
