Booked & Scene

the beautiful land i seek (la linda tierra que busco yo) at Teatro Chelsea, written by Matthew Barbot and directed by Armando Rivera, tosses you onto a train where two men are heading toward a mission that could change everything. Gris and Oscar board with the plan to assassinate the president, and the ride that follows swings between tense debates, strange visitors, sharp humor, and a few time bending surprises. It is a story about conviction, fear, history, and how far someone will go when a choice feels final.

Two Men and a Mission

Nathaniel Justiniano as Gris and Carlos Zalduondo Riestra as Oscar hold this show in the palm of their hands. They have an easy back and forth that lets the comedy land without softening the punch of the heavier moments. Nathaniel gives Gris an impulsive but resolute presence that never cracks. You can feel the weight of his decision and the way he has locked into it. Carlos plays Oscar with a more restless energy, someone who wants to believe in the plan but is pulled in two directions as the trip rolls on. Together they make the ride feel alive, unpredictable, and deeply human.

A Packed Train Car

Ashley L. Aldarondo and Alexander Crespo Rosaio II bounce between characters in a way that feels like a full cast all on its own. Ashley’s brown-faced Maria from West Side Story is a wild standout and somehow sits right next to her sharp, fast-talking turn as an FBI agent. Both hit in totally different ways and both work. Alexander scores big laughs as Christopher Columbus and Alexander Hamilton, leaning all the way into the absurd charm of both figures. And Armando Rivera steps into the action as a writer from the future, switching from small comedy bits that had the crowd chuckling to moments of quiet sincerity. It is clear he knows exactly how to guide the work from both sides of the room.

All Aboard the Good Stuff

Armando Rivera’s direction keeps the entire space active. With the audience seated on both sides, it could easily turn into a fight for sightlines, but it never does. The movement is clean, the focus is balanced, and every seat gets the full picture. Kiara Escalera’s costumes also shine. They help anchor the time shifts and give every new arrival on the train a clear identity before they even speak.

The Bumps in the Track

The sound design by James Cannon had a few moments that pulled focus. The cue that marked passengers entering and exiting did not always line up with the action. Sometimes it came a touch early, sometimes a little late, and sometimes it continued after dialogue began. With more consistency it would really support the story. I also found myself wanting some low rumbling train noise now and then to sell the idea that we were in motion. Without it, the world felt a bit still at times.

Last Stop on the Line

This was my first trip to Teatro Chelsea and I am already looking forward to my next. The cast is strong, the direction is confident, and the overall experience is worth the ride. While time bending stories that mix eras are not always my personal favorite since they can blur the line between fantasy and reality, the performers here handle the shifts with care. It ends up being a lively and thoughtful night in the theater and a great introduction to the work happening at Teatro Chelsea. the beautiful land i seek (la linda tierra que busco yo) has extended their run through November 22.