Elgin Theatre Company’s ‘Fade’ explores culture and ambition

Elgin Theatre Company is closing out its 2025-26 season with “Fade,” written by Tanya Saracho. This provocative behind-the-scenes Hollywood dramatic comedy tells the story of Abel and Lucia.

Mexican-born Lucia Ballesteros is a novelist who has just arrived into the bewildering world of television writing in Los Angeles. Exhausted by the unrelenting misogyny and racism of her new work environment, she finds herself staying late at the office where she meets U.S.-born Abel, who is also Mexican, who works as a custodian for the building.

The friendship that grows between them starts off rocky as Lucia makes several assumptions based on their shared Mexican heritage, which rubs Abel the wrong way.

Desperate for someone to be on her side, she makes amends and continues to reach out to Abel, who is slow to trust, but eventually they become friends. He listens to her vent her pain and frustration, and she acknowledges his presence and humanity, and then listens to his problems and history. As the relationship between them evolves, their story will take you in unexpected directions.

Selena Flores, who plays Lucia, has performed in other ETC productions including as Maria in “9 to 5,” Donna in “The Christmas Express,” and Juror 7 in “12 Angry Jurors.”

Ulyses Espinoza, playing Able, is making his debut with the Elgin Theatre Company. He is returning to the stage after making appearances on shows such as “The Summer I Turned Pretty,” “Dexter: Original Sin,” “Will Trent,” “Chicago P.D.” and most recently “The Bear.”

Saracho is a playwright and television writer who has worked on “How to Get Away With Murder” and HBO's “Looking,” among other shows. She was the creator and showrunner of the series “VIDA” which played on Starz for three seasons (2018-20). She has won multiple awards including being named the Best New Playwright by Chicago magazine in 2019.

Performances will be 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Sundays, April 17 to May 3. Ira Gerard-Di Benedetto is directing the ETC production.

“Fade” will be presented at the Elgin Art Showcase at its new location, 220 DuPage St. in downtown Elgin. The theater entrance is located on the north side of DuPage Street about 100 feet west of the intersection of Villa Street, Villa Court, and DuPage Street.

Tickets are $25 or $23 for age 62 or older, students, and veterans. Tickets are available via elgin-theatre.org and at the door (cash only). There are no refunds or exchanges for tickets.

For more information, call (847) 741-0532 or email tickets@inil.com.

Some parking is located on DuPage Street, as well as plentiful parking in the city parking lot on the corner of Villa and Fulton streets and in the city parking deck located at the corner of Spring and Chicago streets.

“Fade” is presented by special arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French Inc.