Repertorio Espanol continues its celebration of the centennial of Federico Garcia Lorca's 1898 birth with a new production of his tragedy, The House of Bernarda Alba, opening April 18 at the Gramercy Arts Theatre in New York City.
The production, directed by Rene Buch, began previews March 18.
The cast includes Cuban actress Adria Santana as Bernarda Alba and Ana Margarita Martinez Casado as La Poncia. The classic play about seven women and the struggle between individuality and repression was written in 1936. Garcia Lorca was murdered as the Spanish Civil War dawned; he never saw his play produced.
Repertorio Espanol is the country's oldest Spanish-language theatre, operating in its own space at the Gramercy Arts, 138 E. 27th Street between Lexington and Third Avenues. Performances are in Spanish with simultaneous English translation.
The staging continues in repertory into 1999. Tickets are $20-$25. For information, call (212) 889-2850. *
Repertorio Espanol celebrated its 31st season with a gala benefit at the Plaza Hotel April 8. New York Governor George E. Pataki named April 8 "Repertorio Espanol Day." The evening, which included cocktails, dinner and flamenco entertainment, honored Michael Hegarty, President of The Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States for Equitable’s 15 years of leadership support for Repertorio Espanol.
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Meanwhile, Repertorio Espanol's world premiere of Carmen Rivera's The Next Stop opened in repertory at the Gramercy Arts April 11. Previews began April 3.
Directed by Michael Garces, The Next Stop explores how a chance meeting by four people in the subway transforms their lives and gives them hope for the future.
Rivera's OBIE Award-winning La Gringa is in the Repertorio repertoire. She is a playwright and artist-in-residence at the Henry Street Settlement.
Repertorio Espanol's website is at www.repertorio.org.
-- By Kenneth Jones
