I came to know Julio Torres’ unique brand of comedy in 2024 after seeing Problemista, a movie that he wrote, directed and starred in.

When I interviewed this talented young man, with co-star Tilda Swinton, he said that, as an immigrant to the US from El Salvador, Problemista conveyed his personal experience, “the hurdles, the anxiety, that were simultaneously scary but exciting. When you mock the immigration system with magical hourglasses and nonsensical labyrinths, then you feel like it’s not your fault, and you’re less alone. So you’re able to marinate in the absurdity of it, and the fantasy aspects of the movie were actually quite healing.”

I was intrigued by Julio’s surreal sense of humor and sympathized with his plight, as an immigrant myself, remembering how in the 70s we were called “aliens.”

So when I was invited to see a moderated zoom interview with Julio Torres about his second stand-up comedy special, Color Theories, I agreed to participate.

I prepared by watching Julio’s first 2019 special My Favorite Shapes, and his 2024 TV series Fantasmas.

I even bought for my grandchild the children book that he wrote in 2022, I Want to be a Vase (illustrated by Julian Gander).

You may watch Julio read it at this link

Here’s a taste: “This is a story about a plunger who wants to be a vase. It’s also about being exactly who you want to be. I want to be seen! I want to greet the world with bright colors and wonderful aromas. I want to show people unexpected beauty they never knew they needed!”

This book proved a perfect introduction to the colorful and imaginative world presented in Color Theories, a live show that Julio tested off-Broadway for a few weeks before the taping for HBO-MAX.

No spoilers here, you will have to watch it yourself, just a few notes.

When asked about the social and political commentary hidden inside some jokes, Julio said: “I don’t force it, but I don’t avoid it. It becomes inevitable.”

As for his influences, he cites Fred Armisen, Reggie Watts, Atsuko Okatuka, Maria Bamford: “I find myself so moved and encouraged when I see someone be hyper-specific, find their own path and their way of doing things that make sense for them and their career.”

I discovered in my research that Fred Armisen was instrumental in Julio’s career by co-creating the 2019 Spanish language series Los Espookies, after meeting him when hosting Saturday Night Live.

I then looked at some of the sketches Julio wrote for SNL between 2016 and 2019. I suggest you watch Papyrus with Ryan Gosling.

I trust you will enjoy Color Theories and the children in your life will too. You may watch trailer here.