Like the recent film Enough Said, Lina Gallegos' award-winning play explores courtship and love from a mature perspective: that of two septuagenarians in a Kansas nursing home. Carmela (Denise Blasor) and Joaquin (Sal Lopez) have been put in this home “temporarily” by their respective children, Raul (Alberto de Diego) and Lillian (Crissy Guerrero), and at the outset the elder two mix like aceite y agua. Carmela is Puerto Rican, educated and buttoned-up. Joaquin is Mexican, working-class and a bit of a rascal. But they both love music, food and each other's company, though Carmela does her best to resist Joaquin's advances. His attempts to convince her to “rage, rage against the dying of the light” are beautiful to watch, because it reminds us that the young don't hold a monopoly on vitality. Blasor, who also directs, skillfully plays Carmela's mannerly façade, revealing just enough to hint at her deep insecurities. Lopez, who has some of the best lines in the show, delivers much humor through his charming, easy manner. Guerrero and de Diego give fine performances as well. Carolina Ortiz's minimalist backdrop, combined with John A. Garofalo's lighting, evokes the windswept, wide open spaces of the Midwest, and Blasor's use of songs and movement during transitions reflects the poetic quality of this heartwarming work. Los Angeles Theatre Center, 514 S. Spring St., dwntwn.; Thurs.-Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 3 & 8 p.m.; Sun., 3 p.m.; through Nov. 3. (866) 811-4111, thelatc.org.

Thursdays-Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Saturdays, Sundays, 3 p.m. Starts: Oct. 12. Continues through Nov. 3, 2013

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