Our Name is Rogelio Bautista > Comments > "Review of Our Name is Rogelio Bautista"
Piece Comment
Commenter Profile
- Eilis O'Neill
- Username: EilisONeill
- Location: Cambridge, MA
- Joined PRX: Jul 10, 2005
Piece Information
- "Our Name is Rogelio Bautista"
- Summary: From the perspective of newspaper accounts and police reports, Rogelio Bautista died for a word, a color, a number, his death jotted down as just another statistic in our escalating gang war…but that’s not the perspective of the four narrators of the story “Our name is Rogelio Bautista.”
3 comments
5 star: |
|
(2) |
4 star: |
|
(1) |
3 star: |
|
(0) |
2 star: |
|
(0) |
1 star: |
|
(0) |
Review of Our Name is Rogelio Bautista
Eilis O'Neill
Posted on November 05, 2005 at 09:56 AM
This incredibly moving piece left me ready to cry, reminding me of how little time we truly have to make our lives worthwhile and meaningful. Captivating and thoughtful, the narration begins by painting a picture of Rogelio’s early life—including anecdotes to which any listener can identify—and discussing his increasing involvement in gang life. The daring narrative technique of representing Rogelio with five different voices creates an effect which, if less skillfully executed, could have appeared trite or confused the listener, but is ultimately very effective and moving. Through this unique use of narrative, the addition of relevant music (although the placement of the music does, at times, break the flow of the narration), and a very compelling and original script, the story successfully addresses the complexity of issues surrounding gangs and their role in individual members’ lives, as well as death and its effect on loved ones. This thoughtful narration merits inclusion in any show that deals with inner city problems or violence, particularly youth or gang violence. Rather than offering any answers, the piece leaves the listener struggling with the questions that arise over the course of the narrative.