By Dale Reynolds
When actors, or even actor/singers, are allowed to let go on stage or in front of the camera, their innate talents generally will shine forth, entertaining all. So it is with SoCal-born Gabriel (Gabe) González in his latest showin’-off roll: the Salsa-dancing Chihuahua, Pepe, in Mutt House, at the Kirk Douglas Theatre.
This distinctly-talented fellow is well-known in the L.A. area and elsewhere for the wide range of film, music videos, commercials, theater and concerts he has participated in. He is also known as a singer/songwriter, beginning his career in show business at the age of seven in Mexico, and appearing in numerous films in Latin America. By age eight, he had recorded his first album, helping his versatility in various musical genres.
González, a genuinely kind man, has toured with such artists as Camillo Sesto, the late Lalo Guerrero, Juan Gabriel, Los Van Van, and the late Celia Cruz, and toured with the Grammy award-winning band Quetzal, as well as Cubanismo, Lila Downs and Los Lobos. He also toured in the Tony Award-winning Latinx musical, In the Heights by acclaimed composer Lin-Manuel Miranda during its 2011-2012 North American National Tour. Currently, he is working in the Salsa community with bands such as Boogaloo Assassins (as its newest member), and the new L.A-based La Verdad.
Ben Palacios, Max Wilcox, Garrett Marshall Ryan McCartan, Amanda Leigh Jerry and Gabriel González Photo by Daren Scott
On the shorter side of tall, handsome in his mid-40s, with a wife of twenty-seven years, America Duarte, and three children (two sons, 21 and 17) and one daughter (12), he is, happily, no longer the youngest artist in the room, which suits him just fine.
“When I toured with Heights, I was almost twice the age of the cast, which made me nervous as I didn’t want to be dismissed as The Old Guy. But since the cast was thoroughly professional, and they could see that I knew what-was-what, I was accepted with no problems,” said Gonzalez.
While born here in California, he grew up in Mexico – his father aspired to be a singer, but with one serious flaw: inhibiting stage fright. So that was that, but his dad’s brother-in-law was a promoter of bands here in Los Angeles at the famous Million Dollar Theatre, where he imported movie stars to promote their films, as well as Mariachi and Latino bands that were hot – it was the late 70s and early 80s. Thus, he was able to introduce Gabriel and his sisters to famous bookers, such as Arnulfo Delgado, a real trail-blazer, who, during the day worked for the sanitation department, but at night launched many careers in film, CDs, and huge concerts nationally.
“I worked for him, including acting in eight films, and recorded a vinyl disk, letting me sing with the biggest stars in Mexico.”
But then, fate, in the form of idiotic male ego, allowed the adults to get into a fight, and, at age 13, it was all over for the family. “My dad was a good man who got caught up in his own demons, and he lost everything.”
So, no formal acting or singing lessons – just old school ‘training by doing.’ Still, his school mates recognized him from his films, and word got back to a powerful manager, Helen Stringos, “who signed me and my three sisters, which started us out with agents and television commercials,” affirmed Gonzalez.
He also advanced into American TV shows, but after age 22, bitterness stepped in from the lack of non-stereotyped characters he was offered, so he stopped acting and joined with his sister Martha, front woman for the band, Quetzal, which toured nationally with Taj Mahal, Aerosmith, Kid Rock, and Los Lobos. In 2013, Quetzal won a Grammy for Best Alternative Latin Rock Album.”
Then he left the band to allow more time for his kids and to explore other possibilities for him as a musician, including performing in the Son Jalisienze, Son Jarocho, and Son Montuno styles (“Son” has African roots), which lead him, naturally, to Salsa. As well as more TV commercials.
After a decade of Gabriel insisting that he wasn’t interested – for fear of playing into stereotyped images, plus he hadn’t been exposed to it – he found musical theatre to be a perfect home for his talents; to showcase other parts of his lives.
“I rediscovered musicals and I fell in love with the form,” Gonzalez recalled. In addition, he is now musical director at a bilingual service in an Inglewood Episcopalian church, and gigs 2-3 times a week with different bands. “I love being creative; acting, singing, song writing.” To that end, he founded his own band, “La Verdad.” His repertoire of styles is large, mainly Latin/Jazz/Salsa.
“But because I’m an Angelino, I can do Top 40, Soul, anything bilingual. I approach everything with serious intent, with respect for the people who love the genre, but also the style.”
His theatre-acting is also varied. He’s a strong admirer of Boyle Heights’ CASA 0101 (run by playwright Josephina Lopez). “They produce so much good work, and they’re a training ground of sorts, and – like me – they’re bilingual and are turning it into something professional.” At CASA 0101, Gonzalez, co-starred in EastSide Heatbeat there.
Gabe has also performed at Costa Mesa’s South Coast Repertory Theatre, as well as being in the original Selena at the Montalban/Doolittle Theatre in Hollywood and for seven years now, performs in the Spanish language version of La Virgen at the Los Angeles Theatre Company.
Which leads us to the world premiere of Tony Cookson’s Mutt House (originally called “Strays” where Gabriel participated in the first table-read). “I was so excited when they hired me for this full-Equity production. It’s a musical and I can sing and dance!” In the play, the lead, Eddie, has been bullied all his life, but when his favorite safe place, the animal shelter, is threatened with closing, he enlists the help of six zany mutts, allowing him to face his fears and make an important human connection. “I play a cool, salsa-dancing Chihuahua named Pepe!”
This musical has allowed him to fully understand what and where his talents lie.
“I’m generally loath to take risks with my career,” Gonzalez stated. “I’m careful what kind of television roles I take, as it’s too easy to be negatively typecast. I won’t take on roles I wouldn’t want my youngest to watch: playing druggies or gangland killers. I’m always aware of the community I work in, knowing they’ll be watching. I insist in being emotionally invested in my projects; I really do feel the responsibilities. Well, this play is a perfect example of what I am: a performer – singer/actor — a salcero! And La Verdad is one of the hottest bands in L.A. But I know how fortunate I am, so I’m more prepared to leave my comfort zone and work my art.”
Mutt House: The Musical opens Sunday, July 15 and continues through Aug. 5, with performances on Wednesdays at 8 p.m.; Thursdays at 8:30 p.m.; Fridays at 8 p.m.; Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; and Sundays at 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Tickets range from $39 – $59. The Kirk Douglas Theatre is located at 820 Washington Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232. Parking is free underneath Culver City Hall with validation: enter on Duquesne, just south of Culver Blvd. To purchase tickets and for more information, call 213-628-2772 or www.MutthouseTheMusical.com.
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