Dobama Theatre’s ‘Daphne’s Dive’ is a rich slice of life

Back in Roman times they were known as Thermopoliums. During the Middle Ages the term Tavern was used. Sixteenth century Britain saw the rise of the Pub. In the Old West of 1900s America it would be known as a Saloon. Nightclubs brought a notable degree of sophistication and as the dark cloud of Prohibition swept over the country Speakeasy's came in existence. The Germans had their Bier Halls and Bier Gardens and in Japan you would seek out an Izakaya. Current modern watering holes tend to be more specific using titles such as Sports Bars, Wine Bars, Martini Bars, Craft Cocktail Bars, Brew Pubs and etc.

With their names carved in stone, crudely painted on a plank of wood or even spelled out in neon lights or light bulbs all drinking establishments seem to have one thing in common. They are community gathering places often used to celebrate milestones in the life of the neighborhood. Daphne’s Dive is no different in this respect.

North Philadelphia’s Daphne’s Dive has a distinct Puerto Rican flavor but it is still very much your typical “Dive Bar” with the usual array of mismatched bar stools, chairs and tables. There is the requisite stuffed deer head, beer signs, hanging “Tiffany Lamp”, Christmas tree lights (including a sting of lit skulls), a window plastered with community announcements, a vintage cigarette machine (with the chrome pull handles) and an overflowing dumpster out back.

The customers are a bit of throwbacks as well. Matronly Daphne (Trinidad Snider) is there day after day without fail to guide her brood of misfits through their lives of challenges, successes and at times loss and failures with gentle chidings and a free “bump” to their orange juice or coffee. Among her clientele is Pablo (Ricky Ortega), an “artist” who dumpster dives for art material and inspiration later sifting through burned down homes for items to feature on his canvases. Acosta (Fabio Polanco) is a neighborhood activist/businessman/politician whose ambition actually benefits the neighborhood. His wife Inez (Mónica A. Cerpa Zúñiga) is Daphne’s sister and is the driving force behind her ambitious husband and for that matter a force to be reckoned with.

Soft spoken Rey (Darryl Tatum) is a “retired” biker and free spirit who works when he wants at what he wants in order to get by. Jenn (Katie Simón Atkinson) is a dancing activist who is able to convince friends to join her in the many community protests and then bail her out of jail. Lastly, there is Ruby (Roxana Bell) who at eleven escaped by jumping through a closed window when authorities came to arrest her parents. Daphne (along with the group) patch Ruby up and adopted her and with each scene Ruby announces how old she is extending the play’s time frame to 18 years. As time passes there are new jobs and new opportunities as well as new sorrows to deal with.

Each character comes with a secondary skill as well as a lot of baggage that they only reveal when needed. Jenn is an accomplished seamstress. Acosta and his wife know how to get the community involved in their various projects. Pablo is a superb air brush artist. Rey is a jack of all trades worker that Acosta seeks out. Ruby is street smart and soon college educated with a good business head. Daphne (in spite of her health concerns) is the rock on which everyone perches.

While I am a big fan of short (110 minute no intermission) plays, with “Daphne’s Dive” I found myself wanting more. Perhaps a longer play with intermission would give time to develop the various characters more fully. The play was penned by Quiara Alegría Hudes known for “In the Heights” and “Water by the Spoonful”. This work was part of the Cleveland Play House new Grounds Theater Festival and earned her the inaugural Roe Green Award. This is the Cleveland premiere and is under the direction of Julianna Frey-Méndez.

As for the cast they are superb. Trinidad Snider as Daphne at some point in her life must have worked in a bar because she nails the persona of the kindly yet cautious bar owner. Fabio Polanco as Acosta brings a nervous energy to the role that truly sells it. Mónica A. Cerpa Zúñiga as Acosta’s wife and Daphne’s sister gets the best comedic lines. Katie Simón Atkinson as Jenn flits around the stage in spontaneous dance carefully hiding her mental state. Ricky Ortega is simply likable as Pablo with his penchant for dumpster diving and sifting through house fire sites. Darryl Tatum is the original free spirit of the group who fills in the small spaces in this elaborate paint by number. Lastly, Roxana Bell as Ruby has the hardest job of all by convincing us that she has is age 11, 15, 20, 25 and 29 as the show progresses. The only problem is that there is not nearly enough time to develop the characters much less fill in their back stories. Everything felt a tad rushed.

Without a doubt you will fall in love with this Hispanic barrio version of “Cheers” and the characters who inhabit this neighborhood safe house for adults. You will laugh, cry and cheer them on as they tackle life with what skills they have been blessed with.

The Dobama Theatre’s production of “Daphne’s Dive” will be on stage at 2340 Lee Road in Cleveland Heights, Ohio through October 18, 2026. For more information and tickets go to http://www.dobama.org or call (216) 932-3396.