Washington, DC - Co-founder and Producing Artistic Director Hugo Medrano proudly announces GALA Hispanic Theatre’s 2018-2019 Season. “Our 43rd season,” states Medrano, “will feature the work of a best-selling Latina writer, along with rising Latina playwrights who are contributing to the rich and diverse mosaic of contemporary theater. We also bring back two Helen Hayes award-winning directors who have wowed Washington audiences with their creative work at GALA. These artists continue our commitment to produce excellent, innovative theater that reflects our heritages and the realities of our communities today.”
The new season will open with the United States premiere of an adaptation for the stage of the internationally acclaimed novel Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel, directed by Olga Sánchez. The second main stage production is our 14th annual Fuego Flamenco Festival with international flamenco artists from Spain and the United States; followed by the world premiere of The Old Man, the Youth, and the Sea by Irma Correa, directed by José Luis Arellano, winner of a 2016 Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Direction for Yerma. The season will close with the US premiere of Fame, The Musical en Español, directed and choreographed by Luis Salgado who also directed and choreographed GALA’s In The Heights en Español which received nine 2018 Helen Hayes Awards, including Outstanding Musical, Outstanding Choreography, and Outstanding Direction.
The 2018-19 presenting series features film, music, and performance, including Poetic Chicle: Otra One-Man Loquera with Quique Avilés; a simulcast of the world premiere performance from the University of California, Berkeley, of Dreamer, an oratorio with music by Jimmy López and a libretto by Nilo Cruz, in partnership with Washington Performing Arts, and the 7th annual Reel Time at GALA, a festival of films from Mexico, Argentina, and Colombia. The series will also include Open Stage, a weekend of performances by Teatro La Bolsa, Teatro de la Luna, and pianist Ulises Eliseo.
GALita, our theatre program for young audiences, will produce the world premiere of Between Earth and Sky by Cecilia Cackley in the fall of 2018. In this bilingual play, a curious young girl explores the magical world of plants and stars as she breaks with family and societal expectations. In March 2019, GALita will stage the world premiere of Picasso by Cornelia Cody. The play explores how this famous Spanish artist was inspired by the imagination of children. Both of these GALita plays were commissioned by GALA.
MAIN STAGE SEASON PRODUCTIONS
COMO AGUA PARA CHOCOLATE U.S. Premiere!
Like Water for Chocolate
Based on the novel by Laura Esquivel (Mexico)
Adaptation by Garbi Losada (Ados Teatroa)
Directed by Olga Sánchez
September 6 - October 7, 2018
In Spanish with English surtitles
A dash of romance, a sprinkle of comedy, and lots of quail, chile, mole, and rose petals create an intense world of passion. A young woman trapped by traditions finds freedom in cooking so magical it inspires people to laugh, cry, and burn with desire. This best-selling novel and acclaimed film now comes to the stage at GALA.
With the collaboration of the Embassy of Mexico and the Mexican Cultural Institute.
FUEGO FLAMENCO XIV
14th Annual Flamenco Festival
Honorary Producers Joseph and Lynne Horning
November 8 – 18, 2018
JOSÉ BARRIOS & COMPANY
Reditum U.S. Premiere!
Presented in collaboration with Fundación Conservatorio Flamenco Casa Patas, Madrid (Spain)
November 8 – 11, 2018
Barrios, this acclaimed Spanish dancer and choreographer, returns to GALA for the third time with an electrifying piece that explores life’s experiences without fear or regret.
With support from the Embassy of Spain in Washington, DC, SPAIN arts & culture, and Fundación Conservatorio Flamenco Casa Patas.
OMAYRA AMAYA DANCE COMPANY
WITH EDWIN APARICIO
La Sobremesa DC Premiere!
November 16 - 18, 2018
Amaya exposes through flamenco the waves of human emotion that swell and subside in that intimate moment of post-dinner conversation, drinks, and camaraderie. With special guest artist, Edwin Aparicio, curator of GALA’s Fuego Flamenco Festival.
EL VIEJO, EL JOVEN Y EL MAR World Premiere!
The Old Man, the Youth, and the Sea
By Irma Correa (Spain)
Directed by José Luis Arellano
February 7 – March 3, 2019
In Spanish with English surtitles
Exiled on the Island of Fuerteventura and under the watchful eye of a General,, the great Spanish writer and philosopher Miguel de Unamuno engages in a debate of ideas with a young fisherman who dreams of hunting Moby Dick. This intergenerational exchange underscores the need for vigilance against authoritarian force even today. An evocative homage to Ernest Hemingway directed by Helen Hayes Award-winner Arellano, who returns for his fifth production at GALA.
This production is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts, the Embassy of Spain in Washington, D.C., and SPAIN arts & culture.
FAME, THE MUSICAL EN ESPAÑOL U.S. Premiere!
A School for Dreamers
Conceived and developed by David Da Silva
Book by José Fernández (Cuba)
Music by Steve Margoshes
Lyrics by Jacques Levy
Directed and choreographed by Luis Salgado
April 25 – June 2, 2019
Bilingual, with surtitles in both English and Spanish
A diverse group of ambitious, young hopefuls dream of stardom as they deal with life, love, and tragedy at a prestigious high school for the performing arts. This new bilingual production unites the creative team of In The Heights en Español and pays homage to the overlooked Cuban author who wrote the book for this world famous musical.
Presented through special arrangement with Musical Theatre International (MTI). www.MTIShows.com
FILM, MUSIC, AND PERFORMANCE
REEL TIME AT GALA
Mexico – Argentina – Colombia
November 28 – December 2, 2018
A series of new and classical films from three Latin American countries leading the industry. Panel discussions with the curator, artists, and film experts will be held after the screenings.
In collaboration with the Embassy of Mexico, Mexican Cultural Institute, Embassy of Argentina, Embassy of Colombia, and Cinema Tropical of New York. POETIC CHICLE: OTRA ONE-MAN LOQUERA
Written and performed by Quique Avilés
March 15 – 16, 2019
In this show about citizenship with poetry and percussion, Avilés becomes Chamba, a one-time chicle (gum) peddler who now sells poems. Based on Quique’s own handmade books, the piece travels back through time and over borders to Chamba’s childhood in El Salvador.
DREAMER
Music by Jimmy López
Libretto by Nilo Cruz
March 17, 2019
Venue TBA
This oratorio centers on a Dreamer whose legal status is in jeopardy.
Simulcast of world premiere performance from Zellerbach Hall at the University of California, Berkeley, with Philharmonia Orchestra of London, Esa-Pekka Salonen (conductor), Ana Maria Martínez (soprano), and a choir. In partnership with Washington Performing Arts and Carlos Rosario Public Charter School.
ESCENARIO ABIERTO
Open Stage
June 14 – 16, 2019
A weekend of performances by local artists: Teatro La Bolsa, Teatro de la Luna, and Ulises Eliseo.
GALita - THEATER FOR YOUNG AUDIENCES
ENTRE LA TIERRA Y EL CIELO World Premiere!
Between Earth and Sky
By Cecilia Cackley
Directed by Elena Velasco
October 13 - 27, 2018
Bilingual
Student Matinees: October 15-19 and October 22-26, 2018 at 10:30 am (weekdays).
General Public: October 13, October 20, and October 27, 2018 at 3 pm (Saturdays).
In this play commissioned by GALA, a curious young girl explores the magical world of plants and stars as she breaks with family and societal expectations. Based on the life of Mexican-American botanist Ynes Mexia.
FIESTA DE LOS TRES REYES MAGOS/THREE KINGS DAY
January 6, 2018 at 11:30 am and 2:00 pm
Don’t miss GALA’s traditional Three Kings celebration, featuring the Magi, live animals, local performers, a walk through the neighborhood, and gifts for every child. Free for the entire family!
PICASSO World Premiere!
Written and directed by Cornelia Cody
March 9 - 23, 2019
Bilingual
Student Matinees: March 11-15 and March 18-22, 2019 at 10:30 am (weekdays).
General Public: March 9, March 16 and March 23, 2018 at 3 pm (Saturdays).
Discover the mysteries behind the life and work of the creative genius through the eyes of an inquisitive child.
GALita is presented with support from Target.
FREE COMMUNITY PROGRAMS
FLAMENCO EN FAMILIA
November 17, 2018
11 am and 1:30 pm
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