REVIEW: Central Square Theater elegantly streamlines heart and innovation with ‘Machine Learning’
Jorge is in distress. Maybe Arnold can help.
Directed beautifully by Gabriel Vega Weissman, Central Square Theatre in partnership with Teatro Chelsea and a Catalyst Collaborative@MIT production continues the world premiere of Francisco Mendoza’s Machine Learning live and in person at Central Square Theater in Cambridge, Massachusetts through Sunday, February 25. The show is 100 minutes with no intermission and contains some Spanish dialogue. Click here for more information and for tickets.
Caring for a loved one is challenging in itself, but a loved one with a terrible illness battling addiction is that much more daunting. Frustrated yet determined computer scientist Jorge, empathetically portrayed by Armando Rivera, shares a complex history and relationship with his proud, stubborn, and sympathetic Columbian father Gabriel, depicted with machismo yet stalwart likability by Alberto Rubio. Rubio as Gabriel hones an authentic depiction of the nature of addiction in an ailing man. In order to care for his ailing father who is battling liver cancer, Jorge establishes an AI digital application and nurse named ‘Arnold’, voiced brilliantly by Matthew Zahnzinger, which might not only possibly make both their lives easier, but an entity that stubborn Gabriel just might listen to.
Each of these lovable characters is virtuous in their own way and their desire to seek the best in the other is what truly makes them remarkable. Young Jorge, depicted precociously and humorously by Xavier Rosario, is a scene stealer in his sweet and difficult moments with his father particularly demonstrated in an escalating battle over a game. Rosario tries his father’s patience with unflinching honesty and their experiences shape the relationship later demonstrated by Rivera as Jorge and Rubio as Gabriel. Zahnzinger as Arnold is an inquisitive and unintentionally funny logical entity that develops a seemingly caring and convincing rapport with Rivera and Rubio that can affectively blur the lines between AI and humanity, but Mendoza’s insightful script cleverly navigates this line of thinking through Arnold’s programming and deduction.
Sugandha Gopal portrays sensible and focused Anita, Jorge’s encouraging and astute professor and mentor. Anita and Jorge share an admirable mutual respect and Gopal shines when she perceptively challenges Jorge on the most difficult things that Jorge needs to face about himself. Gopal as Anita has confidence in Jorge, but knows the best thing for Jorge is compassionate yet constructive criticism for Jorge’s difficult mission to help his father and to become a better computer scientist.
What makes Machine Learning fascinating is not only the terrific state of the art sound design by David Remedios with sound engineer Kai Bohlman, Amanda Fallon’s animated lighting, and Janie E Howland’s innovative fold out and compartmentalized set boasting rich graphics and impressive coding by Projection Designer SeifAllah Salotto-Cristobal, but the care instilled in Arnold’s every calculation in an attempt to deliver Gabriel better care than Jorge believes he could ever possibly deliver on his own. It is the compassion and resolve put into every detail despite the fraught history Jorge has with Gabriel and their inherent and relatable flaws. Through all of this seeming perfection is the delicate imperfection that truly resonates.
Though the production delves into the science of AI and the characters are encompassed by calculations and functionality, not for one moment does this production ever feel robotic. If anything, Machine Learning is a moving production that brings out the ties that bind between a father and son in all of its illuminating calculations.
Central Square Theatre in partnership with Teatro Chelsea and MIT continues the world premiere of Francisco Mendoza’s Machine Learning live and in person at Central Square Theatre in Cambridge, Massachusetts through Sunday, February 25. The show is 100 minutes with no intermission and contains some Spanish dialogue. Click here for more information and for tickets.