Victor Souffrant finds belonging in American Stage’s ‘La Gringa’

The cast of American Stage’s “La Gringa.” Photo courtesy American Stage.

American Stage’s first bilingual production, “La Gringa” — which was designed to create a meaningful dialogue about identity — has been captivating Tampa Bay audiences since July 19. It plays through Aug. 13 to continue that work.

The award-winning show, Off-Broadway’s longest-running Spanish language play, originally premiered in 1996. It is typically presented in solely English or Spanish, but American Stage crafted this version to present the “true essence of the multicultural experience.”

“‘La Gringa’ tells the story of Maria, a young woman of Puerto Rican descent, who embarks on a journey of self-discovery when she visits her family’s homeland for the first time,” its synopsis reads. “Born and raised in the United States, Maria grapples with her own cultural identity while navigating the complexities of a complex world. The play, written by Carmen Rivera, explores the intersection of language, heritage and personal growth.”

It’s something openly LGBTQ+ actor Victor Souffrant says has been a success. The production marks the first time the Puerto Rico native has played a Puerto Rican character, with whom he happens to share a first name.

“The show is simply about belonging, in whatever community it is,” he explains. “Whether it is family, whether it is a professional or personal relationship, it doesn’t matter. We’re all trying to find a way to coexist.

“So even though the show takes place in Puerto Rico with a Latin family, it stands for so much more than being about Puerto Rican people,” Souffrant continues. “Belonging is a universal language.”

Watermark spoke with the actor about his experience in the production ahead of its final week.

WATERMARK: What drew you to theater?

Victor Souffrant: Growing up in Puerto Rico, there is no such thing, or at least back then musical theater wasn’t very prevalent. It’s starting to become more prevalent now, but I actually did not discover theater until I moved to Orlando in my high school years. That’s where I kind of fell in love with it through the electives; I started doing choir, which then connected it to the theater classes because of the musical they would do in the Spring. It kind of took off from there and doors started opening one after the other. I pursued it and here I am at the age of 34 and still going.

What can you share about some of your professional work?

I’ve actually just moved here recently from New York City. I’ve done a couple New York shows. I’ve done tours, I lived in London where I sang with the National Symphony. I have also done cruise ships. I’ve done Chicago regional theater as well, so it’s been fun. I’ve been able to make my rounds for sure. My last show in New York was “On Your Feet,” the Gloria Estefan musical. It was fun, I played Emilio [Estefan] for quite a bit.

What’s it been like working with American Stage?

American Stage has been lovely. What I’m really enjoying is the hunger to open up the area to different ethnicities, different stories from different walks of life. I love that they are very passionate about telling the story in the most authentic way possible, which is a pleasure and why I have such pride and pleasure in doing a show like “La Gringa,” and getting to do it in both Spanish and English, because we are honoring our culture. We’re honoring the Latino culture, the Puerto Rican culture, not just in telling the story because in the way that we are, because we could have told the story in just English. The script comes in English or it comes in Spanish, yet they went ahead and decided to merge both scripts into one. They kind of “Frankenstein’d” it and made it their own bilingual version.

It’s also your first entirely Latin production, correct?

Yes, funny enough, I’ve been able to play different things, but this is my first time that I have actually played my Puerto Rican heritage. I played Emilio, who’s Cuban, and that’s great. But to be able to tell the story of where I grew up is nostalgic and definitely tugs at your heart.

How so?

When I play my character, whose name is also Victor, I am basing him on my uncles and my grandfather, people that I grew up with as a child in Puerto Rico. Hearing the words and even seeing our set design, like walking on the set, it just takes me back to being in Puerto Rico. I’m proud of the production, not just visually, but being able to speak the language on stage. Being able to just be myself and be in the moment, it almost feels like I’m not acting. I am reliving and honoring my ancestors through this show, this production.

How do you describe “La Gringa” for those who aren’t familiar?

The show is simply about belonging, in whatever community it is. Whether it is family, whether it is a professional or personal relationship, it doesn’t matter. We’re all trying to find a way to coexist. So even though the show takes place in Puerto Rico with a Latin family, it stands for so much more than being about Puerto Rican people. Belonging is a universal language.

How does your character fit into the story?

My character is Victor and he is the husband of Norma, who is I want to say the antagonist, but everybody has their own hard moments and struggles. But Victor, I like to describe him as a warm hug. He encourages, he’s a lover. He wants to just love on everybody and kind of bring the family together in whatever way he can. He wants to create peace but he’s also not afraid when he has to use his voice to say, “hey, maybe you need to check yourself a little bit.”

Why you think the show can resonate with LGBTQ+ audiences?

It’s the language of belonging. Us, the LGBTQIA community, we are constantly wanting to belong. We are constantly looking for acceptance. Sometimes it’s at work. Sometimes it’s in a relationship, sometimes even in our own families. At some point in our lives, we have been looking for acceptance and belonging like the character of Maria is looking for in “La Gringa.”

Not everybody is like Maria, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, but we all seek it in some way, shape or form. And honestly, the story is a true testament that love is truly a universal language and emotion, whether you speak Spanish or English or whatever language, is a universal language as well.

How has reception been so far?

The feedback’s been great. My favorite compliment ever was when we had a chat back. This man said, “I don’t know Spanish, but I understood every single word and I felt every single emotion that every single one of you gave.” It was a really cool thing to hear. I also love the commentary of Latino people to be able to say, “thank you for taking me back to my childhood. Thank you for reminding me of where I come from.”

Why do you think it’s an important story to tell right now?

The story is about acceptance. I feel this world where we live today, acceptance comes in such a rare form. The messages is about community. If there was more unity in the word community, lwe would be much kinder to each other.

What else do you want to share with readers about the show’s final week?

I hope that people just come check us out. I’m excited to tell this story with American Stage and I hope that everybody gets a chance to come see it. Check it out.

“La Gringa” is playing through Aug. 13 at American Stage, located at 163 3rd St N. in St. Petersburg. Shows are Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and matinees are Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.