Review: Miami New Drama’s Riveting ‘English Only’ Takes Place in the Past but Feels Uncomfortably Current

Andhy Mendez plays future politician Manny Diaz in “English Only,” a world premiere of Nicholas Griffin’s play at Miami New Drama at the Colony Theatre, Miami Beach, through Sunday, Feb. 22. (Photo by Morgan Sophia Photography)

On Friday, Feb. 6, a new Florida law goes into effect, mandating that tests to obtain a drivers’ license must be written in English only.

So, while “English Only,” the latest world premiere at Miami New Drama, feels ripped from the headlines, it’s actually part of the company’s History Series of plays about past events in Miami, in this case, the fight to ban other languages from government documents and civic life, and strip Dade County, as it was called then, of its bilingualism.

The events depicted in “English Only” take place in 1980 during the Mariel boat lifts, in which Fidel Castro sent 125,000 Cubans to Miami. While the local Cuban community scrambled to find sponsors for the immigrants and take care of them, a wave of anti-immigration rose and threatened the vibrant thread Cubans brought to the tapestry of Miami.

The play focuses of Manny Diaz, then a young lawyer working at the Spanish American League Against Discrimination (SALAD). At the SALAD office, Manny and his co-worker, Lucy, listen to right-wing shock jock Stan Rogers, to keep tabs on his remarks on Cubans and the boat lifts. One day, a woman named Emmy Shafer calls into Rogers’ show, voicing her anger at how she couldn’t buy a dress at a local mall because no one who worked there spoke English. Rogers tells her to do something about it, and poof — Emmy forms Citizens of Dade United, and works to get the needed 25,000 signatures to put an English only ordinance on the ballot for the November election.

Linda Mugleston and Linda Laura Faye Smith play anti bilingualists in “English Only,” the new world premiere at Miami New Drama through Sunday, Feb. 22. (Photo by Morgan Sophia Photography)

Playwright Nicholas Griffin, who also wrote “Dangerous Days,” a Miami New Drama world premiere from 2024, has created a comical, thrill ride of a show. “English Only” is a fast-paced 90 minutes, and features, along with the comedy, an even-handed look at the politics involved.

Director Margot Bordelon keeps the action moving, and keeps the energy high and the audience pumped with the music that transitions the scenes.

[RELATED: The beginnings of ‘English Only’]

Andhy Mendez plays Manny Diaz with youthful fervor in a role that is essentially an origin story of the future mayor of Miami and chair of the Florida Democratic Party. Mendez brings poignancy to Manny’s recollections of emigrating to Miami and what it means to become part of a new community while cherishing and keeping alive cultural traditions. He balances his earnestness with a refreshing awkwardness that gives his character dimension.

Rene Granado excels at each of the characters he plays — shock jock Stan Rogers, a Spanish radio broadcaster, the boss at SALAD, a debate moderator, and a slick writer. Granado creates distinct voices and character traits for each character and seamlessly switches from one to the other in a mere second. His standout is his main character, Stan, which he plays with cigar-chomping menace and a dash of swagger reminiscent of Ron Swanson from the sitcom “Parks and Rec.” It’s a delightful, what-will-he-do-next performance.

Rene Granado plays a rightwing shock jock against immigration in “English Only,” the new world premiere at Miami New Drama through Feb. 22. (Photo by Morgan Sophia Photography)

Carmen Palaez delivers a warm, comedic turn as Lucy, who works at SALAD alongside Manny. Lucy is the grounding force in “English Only,” with a personal stake in the boat lifts. Lucy and Manny have great chemistry and make the perfect work husband-work wife dynamic.

Laura Faye Smith portrays Emmy with steely determination. Nothing flusters her except dogs barking, and as the story unfolds the reason is easily surmised. Her nuanced no-nonsense performance is outstanding.

Linda Mugleston is Barbara Simmons, who seeks out Emmy and works side by side with her to pass the anti-bilingualism ordinance. Barbara, however, is playing a long game, and Mugleston’s performance gives Almira Gulch in “The Wizard of Oz” vibes, just without the bicycle.

Carmen Palaez plays Lucy, a community activist with a personal stake in the Mariel boat lifts, in “English Only,” the new world premiere at Miami New Drama through Sunday, Feb. 22 at the Colony Theatre. (Photo by Morgan Sophia Photography)

The scenic design by Christopher Swader and Justin Swader consists of Emmy’s sunny living room on the right and the workaday SALAD office on the left. The two locales are connected by a large radio broadcast booth window and, overhead, a sweeping curve of airy, decorative bricks, the kind that were once standard in Florida homes and buildings, a nice throwback to the past. It’s an impressive set, with depth and cohesion that ties the story together.

Beth Goldenberg’s costume design plays up the early 1980s and helps to define each character, such as the loud, pushy prints that Barbara wears. Solomon Weisbard’s lighting complements each location, while neon details scream Miami. Salomon Lerner’s sound design is crisp, clear, and vibrant.

“English Only” is another world premiere feather in Miami New Drama’s cap. The sad thing about this vivid play is that if the mentions of the Mariel boat lifts and the Carter/Reagan presidential election were deleted, one would think the events were taking place today, not 55 years ago. It’s a stark reminder that the same battles are still being fought and, in more than five decades, no one has come up with a fair, safe, solution to the broken immigration system.

WHAT: World Premiere of Nicholas Griffin’s “English Only”

WHERE: Miami New Drama, The Colony Theatre, 1040 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach

WHEN: 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday; 3 p.m. Sunday. Through Feb. 22.

COST: $40, $70, and $85 Thursday and Friday; $45, $75, and $90 Saturday and
Sunday, including fees

INFORMATION: 305-674-1040 and miaminewdrama.org

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