In April of 1999, it became well known because a Marine Corps jet on a training run dropped two bombs that missed the target and killed a civilian guard on the island. In the 18 months that followed, protests were staged by environmentalists and the Puerto Rican people, including a plea from Robert F. Kennedy Jr. himself.

These military exercises are nothing new, however, as they have been occurring since the 1950s. Around that time is when Jorge González sets his new play Vieques, premiering at the Repertorio Español's Gramercy Arts Theatre in Manhattan Oct. 11-15. The opening is set for Oct. 12 as part of the celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month.

After its initial run in NYC, the production will make its Puerto Rican premiere Oct. 19 28 at the historic Teatro Tapia in San Juan. It then returns to the States Nov. 6 and will run in repertory at Repertorio with the rest of the company's 33rd season through (at least) May 2001.

Vieques does not delve into the political aspect of the island but focuses on a family who lives there in the 1950s. Amid a tumultuous climate, the family learns to deal with their own chaotic lives. The comedy-drama follows them through their dreams, disappointments and quest for a better future.

Alfredo Galván directs the production of González's play, which won the first annual Nuestra Voces (Our Voices) Playwriting Contest. He helms a cast of Repertorio regulars that includes Ricardo Barber, Lynette Marie Coll, Miriam Cruz, Alfredo De Quesada, Lucio Fernandez, Indio Melendez, Bettina Mercado, Milena Perez, and Tatiana Vecino. For more information on Vieques or the other shows running at Repertorio visit www.repertorio.org. Other productions in the rotating repertory include dancer Pilar Roja (Oct. 26-Nov. 19), Luis Rafael Sánchez's La Pasión Según Antígona Pérez (The Passion According to Antigona Pérez) (starting Nov. ), Carmen Rivera's La Próxima Parada (The Next Stop) and La Gringa, Dolores Prida's Casa Propia (A House of Our Own), Senel Paz's Fresa Y Chocolate (Strawberry and Chocolate), Gabriel Garcia's Crónica De Una Muerte Anunciada (Chronicle of a Death Foretold), Garcia Lorca's Yerma and La Casa de Bernada Alba, Aberlardo Estorino's Parece Blanca (She Looks White) and El Baile (The Dance) starring Adria Santana.

For tickets to the island of Vieques, at the Gramercy, 138 East 27th St. (between Lexington and Third Ave.), call (212) 889-2850. Tickets range from $15-40. A complete schedule for the González play follows. (For other shows, visit the Repertorio website.)

Oct. 11 - 7PM
Oct. 12 - 7PM
Oct. 13 - 8PM
Oct. 14 - 8PM
Oct. 15 - 2PM
Oct. 15 - 6PM
Nov. 6 - 7PM
Nov. 11 - 3PM
Nov. 12 - 6PM
Nov. 16 - 11AM
Nov. 19 - 2PM
Nov. 21 - 11AM
Nov. 24 - 8PM
Nov. 26 - 6PM
Dec. 2 - 8PM
Dec. 10 - 2PM
Dec. 17 - 6PM
Dec. 21 - 11AM
Dec. 23 - 8PM
Jan. 6 - 8PM
Jan. 14 - 2PM
Jan. 21 - 6PM
Feb. 22 - 11AM
March 4 - 6PM
March 5 - 10AM
March 5 - 12PM
April 11 - 10AM
April 11 - 12PM
May 2 - 10AM
May 2 - 12PM

-- by Ernio Hernandez