The Ballad Of Juan Jose

Get your Culture Clash fix this month at La Jolla Playhouse. American Night: The Ballad of Juan Jose has been written by Richard Montoya for Culture Clash, developed by Culture Clash and Jo Bonney, and also directed by Bonney. Be forewarned: Culture Clash always leaves a mark. No subject is off limits, with topics of citizenship and cultural identity receiving priority. Clash last performed at LJP in 2006 in Zorro in Hell, where audiences were, as usual, riled, amused, and energized. Playhouse artistic director Christopher Ashley characterizes the group spot on when he says, “Culture Clash is an undeniable force of nature. Their take-no-prisoners style of theatre provokes laughter and conversation in every irreverent minute.” This popular and prolific Chicano/Latino performance company has a large and persistent following. There’s a lot of laughter involved in a Clash show, and sometimes the comedy is at the expense of audiences. But, rather than alienating, the shows are embracing, offering a celebration of human oddities and quirks. American Night: The Ballad of Juan Jose plays through February 26. (858/550-1010, www.lajollaplayhouse.org)   DARLENE G. DAVIES