Drama Review: Finding the Freedom to Be Yourself

“Level Up,” Latino Theatre Co., Los Angeles, Mar. 26 – May 3, 2026

Apr. 12, 2026 | By Bruce R. Feldman

In Brief: A teen-themed drama about sexual identity, family, and the immersive  fantasy world young Desi concocts to cope with a vortex of adolescent emotions. The ideas in Gabriel Rivas Gómez’s text aren’t new, but the cast is winning, and the production is first rate.

Mathias Brinda, Xol Gonzalez, Khalif J. Gillett in Level Up (Photo: Jenny Graham)

In Level Up, two brothers, 17-year-old Memo Lopez (Xol Gonzalez), and 12-year-old Desi (Mathias Brinda), struggle with their grief over their family’s beloved dying dog, Azlan. Memo believes that putting the pet down is the kind thing.

Desi thinks Azlan can be saved, however implausibly, by transporting the three of them into the rich, bizarre gaming fantasy world Desi sometimes inhabits to escape the difficult reality of living as a girl trapped in a boy’s body.

Memo reluctantly agrees, and the next thing you know they find themselves in a virtual gaming space called The Proxy. Memo is now a bold warrior, Desi a girl in a shimmering gown with butterfly wings.

Azlan, played, compassionately, by a human (Andi René Christiansen), serves as their guide on a spiritual quest through this mysterious world. The trio encounters an altered reality and some new characters, notably the bard Beatles (Khalif J. Gillett) and their mother (Sol Marina Crespo) who died when Desi was very young.

Left: Mathais Brinda in The Proxy. Right: Richard Azurdia and Mathias Brinda at home (Photos: Jenny Graham)

The action moves back and forth between The Proxy and the Lopez home ruled by Memo and Desi’s loving but Old School father (Richard Azurdia). Desi can’t tell him about her wish to live as a girl.

Memo and Desi’s fantasy adventures lead to a enlightenment and personal growth, eventually giving way to an emotional resolution with Papá, as well.

The cast, under Fidel Gomez’s sympathetic, fluid direction, is very appealing. Mathias Brinda is especially effective as Desi, essaying the duality of her character with spirit, charm, and tenderness. Xol Gonzales as her brother Memo is equally strong.

The production is professional, making the most of Hsuan-Kuang Hsieh’s elaborate projections and animations that delight and keep the audience engaged even when it’s not always clear (at least to this older audience member) exactly what is going on in The Proxy’s convoluted fantasy space.

Level Up is intended for family audiences. Kids and teens should enjoy Gómez’s energetic approach and everyone, adults and children alike, will appreciate his important message. Desi, Memo, and Papa’s love, understanding, and support for each other are what matters most in this life.

"Level Up" Latino Theater Company, 514 S. Spring Street, Los Angeles CA 90013, (213) 489-0994, latinotheaterco.org