Reviews 1 — Xavier M. Custodio

Selected Press

Theater Reviews

Las Borinqueñas

“it’s the women who are meant to shine here, and they certainly do. Speaking mostly in English with some Spanish sprinkled in, their dialogue ranges from snappy quips to poetic reflections, with timing that never falters.”

Emily McClanathan- Chicago Tribune 2025

Las Borinqueñas

Director Xavier M. Custodio builds a flawless audience-character relationship, positioning the crowd as firsthand witnesses to the shameful history of American imposition in Puerto Rico.

Eva Strazek- La DePaulia 2025

That Must Be The Entrance to Heaven

“There are no ropes and there is no fourth wall as the actors step off the ring to directly address the audience seated around it. That Must Be the Entrance to Heaven is a very physical play, even though the pain these men feel is more of the psychological and emotional kind. A victory in the ring could mean everything and nothing.”

-Alejandro A. Riera, Chicago Reader 2023-

Y Tu Abuela, Where is she?

“Y Tu Abuela celebrates the productivity of confrontation and the necessary balance it brings to the unavoidable codependency that crops up in love of all types—familial, romantic, and self. It’s insanely contemporary and topical, simultaneously digestible and intense, and not to be missed.”

-Kaylen Ralph, Chicago Reader 2021-

Sancocho

“The stew that they prepare throughout the evening serves as a metaphor for this process, as ingredients are sliced and crushed to create a meal that Renata describes as “healing to the soul.”

-Emily McClanthan, Chicago Tribune 2022-

Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery

“Ken Ludwig, the well-known and genius American playwright of 21 plays and four musicals, wrote “Baskerville” in 2015. The Metropolis production astutely directed by Xavier Custodio throws everything but the kitchen sink at you acting wise. ”

-Regina Belt-Daniels, Shaw Local 2021-

Las Borinqueñas

But the added element of colonial imperialism, though mostly hinted at rather than presented in obvious strokes, adds extra disquiet to this well-acted and engaging take on the historical snapshot captured in Las Borinqueñas.

Kerry Reid- Chicago Reader 2025

Xavier M. Custodio in The Press

That Must Be The Entrance to Heaven

“Cuando el director artístico de Visión Latino, Xavier M. Custodio, leyó la obra por primera vez, supo que la gente necesitaba verla. En cuanto a la escenografía él, simplemente quiso un ring de boxeo negro sin cuerdas, algo que González describio como un altar, para que las transiciones entre escenas y movimientos pudieran ser perfectas.”

-Kimberly Vazquez,Columbia Chronicle 2023

Midday Fix: Sancocho – A Traditional Puerto Rican Stew

“This is the Midwest Premiere of Sancocho, produced by Chicago’s Visión Latino Theater Company as part of Destinos, the 5th Chicago International Latino Theater Festival.”

Grown in Chicago: Creating Your Community

“The panel featured wisdom from Shepsu Aakhu, founding member of Ma’at Production Association of Afrikan Centered Theatre (MPAACT); Myesha-Tiara, founding artistic director of Perceptions Theatre, and Xavier Custodio, co-founding artistic director of Visión Latino Theatre Company, all moderated under twinkling string lights against a billowing curtain backdrop by Carla Stillwell”

-American Theatre 2024-

‘Ken Ludwig’s Baskerville’ presents new take on Sherlock Holmes’ classic, presented in unique online experience

“He only has five actors on stage and three of those actors are playing 10-12 roles,” said Director Xavier Custodio of Ludwig’s take on the Sherlock Holmes tale. “I’m so lucky and so privileged to have actors that are so talented and able to transform into the different characters.”

-Myrna Petlicki, Chicago Tribune 2021-