Playwright/Performer Robert Montano in SMALL at People’s Light through February 4, 2024
By Ellen Wilson Dilks
Malvern’s People’s Light starts off 2024 with a solo piece by Broadway/Film/TV performer Robert Montano, SMALL. Performed on the company’s intimate Steinbright Stage, and running through February 4th, SMALL tells of Montano’s struggles as a child—where he was bullied because of his size, as well as his years as a jockey and his subsequent segueway into theatre.
The play was developed at the Flying Carpet Theatre in Sunnyside, NY and received its original production at the highly touted 59E59 Theaters in Manhattan, prior to coming to Malvern. And Montano has packed a lot into the 85 minutes of theatre.
The world of horse racing is a rough and tumble one. It’s not for the faint of heart. Montano unsparingly exposes the underbelly of what the jockeys are put through to make a living. The actor was born in Bayside, Queens, but the family soon moved to Hempstead, Long Island—close enough to “smell the manure” from Belmont Park Racetrack. At the tender age of 12 his Puerto Rican mother took him with her to the track. She was there to win some quick cash betting on her friend, jockey Robert Pineda. Little “Bobby” falls in love with the sights and sounds of the whole experience. Pineda tries to talk this innocent kid out of getting involved at the track, but eventually takes him under his wing, mentoring the boy on all that’s involved with being a jockey. When Montano is 16, and still trying to score a big win, Pineda moves to Atlantic City with his wife and children to ride in races there.
Left on his own, and struggling with growth spurts and weight issues, Bobby falls into the traps he promised Pineda he would avoid. He gets swept into a cycle of drugs and purging—all while eating little to nothing, exercising obsessively and using any means necessary to expel water weight. Needless to say, all of this takes a big toll on Montano’s health. And his career is going nowhere fast. At 18, he’s washed up as a jockey. A chance encounter at a disco one night reignites his love of dance, and sends him on a whole new life trajectory.
Montano grips the audience from the first moment and takes us on a ride filled with raw emotion, brutal honesty and wonderfully charming humor. He easily morphs into the many people who crossed his path and influenced his life. He imbues his mother with an energetic cheekiness, while giving his father that restrained show of love so common among dads of the 60s and 70s. The denizens of the track are delightfully given life with all their coarseness and odd body language. Pineda is portrayed with elegance and wisdom; the audience sees the tremendous respect and love Montano has for him. Those he encounters at the dance academy he attends in his late teens, early 20s are also shown with love and humor.
SMALL, written and performed by Robert Montano is playing at People’s Light in Malvern
Throughout the piece, Montano rarely stops moving, running, jumping and striding around the stage as each character is fully displayed. Underlying all of this is his grace and precision as a dancer. He beautifully creates the horses as he pantomimes stroking them; he makes you feel like you are actually watching a race as he crouches in a jockey position. It is all perfectly realized.
On the technical side, director Jessi D. Hill has assembled a strong group of gifted artisans to bring Montano’s world to life. She keeps the action moving, knowing when to push it and when to slow things down so the viewer can absorb a moment. She and Montano have a great connection, telling the story with genuine honesty and warmth. Scenic artists Christopher and Justin Swader have created a simple yet versatile set for Montano to play on, getting the details of a stable tack room just right. Jamie Roderick paints beautiful pictures with the lighting effects throughout the piece. And the soundscape by Brian Ronan totally evokes the mood of the 70s, while also underscoring the action.
Montano says in his program note that he wrote the play for all the underdogs like him. I don’t agree with his assessment of himself. He had the courage to turn his life around, conquer addiction, and forge a new path. His beautifully written and performed piece sends the message to hang in, shoot for excellence, and take pride in every accomplishment. You did it, you made it over another hurdle, through another day.
It is an uplifting time in the theatre. Go. See. Be inspired.
WHEN YOU GO: SMALL is performing on the Steinbright Stage at People’s Light—39 Conestoga Road (Route 401), Malvern, PA 19355. Performances are Tuesdays thru Sundays now until February 4th, 2024. This production is recommended for ages 14+ due to depicted drug use and language.
Special Events: There will be a Relaxed Performance on Sunday, January 28th at 2pm—this is also the date of the Audio Description performance; Open Captioning will be available January 30th through February 4t; with a 50%-off Access Night on Tuesday January 30th at 7:30pm
People’s Light is fully handicapped accessible. There is plenty of free, off-street parking and the Farmhouse Bistro serves dinners prior to curtain. For additional information and background on SMALL, patrons can call the Box Office at 610-644-3500, or visit the company’s website at www.peopleslight.org
COVID PROTOCOLS: Masks ARE NOT REQUIRED AT THIS TIME. The CDC may change its protocols, so go prepared.