La Casa de Los Espíritus explores the turbulent rise and fall of the Trueba family, based on Allende’s own experience with Pinochet’s 1973 military coup in Chile. Its adaptation was written by renowned, US Latina playwright Caridad Svich (12 Ophelias, The Booth Variations, Iphigenia…A Rave Fable) and directed by José Zayas, currently in residence at Repertorio Español and director of provocative new plays such as Southern Promises by Thomas Bradshaw.
To adapt La Casa de Los Espíritus for the stage, Allende’s magical realist prose is translated into cutting-edge theater technology to bring to life the story of Alba (Denise Quinones), the youngest of the Trueba, as she searches for the courage and words to confront her family’s tumultuous history. Svich’s poetic writing and Zaya’s stunning visual mis-en-scene blend seamlessly in this production’s orchestration of live action, digital art, puppetry, dance, and song.
La Casa de Los Espíritus is charged with powerful performances, including Nelson Landrieu’s as the Trueba patriarch, Esteban; the mystifying Beatriz Córdoba as Clara; a feisty Selenis Leyva as Tránsito Soto; and a hysterically funny Rosie Berrido as Férula. As the Trueba search for love, freedom, and equality in an increasingly oppressive world, La Casa de Los Espíritus becomes a testament to the strength of those who speak truth to power.
Tickets begin at $25 and may be reserved online by visiting www.repertorio.org; by phone 212-225-9920 or in person at Repertorio Español located on 138 East 27th Street New York, NY 10016 between Lexington and Third Avenues (Sun-Thurs 9am-7pm, Fri-Sat 9am-9pm).
Image: Nelson Landrieu (Esteban Trueba), Selenis Leyva (Tránsito Soto) & Denise Quiñones (Alba).