Wednesday, July 30, 2008

New or rarely done works by writers from Ecuador, Argentina, Spain and Mexico, including an English-language comedy about aspects of globalization, are featured in GALA Hispanic Theatre's33rd mainstage season, at the Tivoli (14th Street and Park Road NW). All plays have English or Spanish surtitles.

The magic-realist drama "La edad de la ciruela/The Aging of the Plum" (Sept. 18-Oct. 12) by Argentina-born, Ecuador-based Aristides Vargas travels back through the memories of two sisters to reveal three generations of women struggling within a tradition-bound world. Company member Abel López will direct.

Spanish Golden Age playwright Lope de Vega's drama "El mejor alcalde, el rey/The Best Judge, the King" (Jan. 29-Feb. 22) tells the story of a peasant woman raped by a feudal lord, and how the king, disguised as a magistrate, sees that justice is done. Artistic Director Hugo Medrano will direct.

In the English-language comedy "The True Story of Coca-Cola in Mexico/La verdadera historia de Coca Cola en Mexico" (April 2-26), by American Patrick Scott and Mexican Aldo Velasco, two young filmmakers -- one Latino, one Anglo -- shoot a documentary about the ways American pop culture has seeped into Mexican life. Two actors will play multiple roles. José Carrasquillo will direct.

Eva Perón's corpse travels the world as corrupt political operatives manipulate her legacy in the new musical "Momia en el closet/Mummy in the Closet" (June 4-28). Composer Mariano Vales of Argentina conceived the story and will be music director; the book is by Venezuelan Gustavo Ott. Commissioned by GALA, the show also looks at Argentina before the "dirty war" of 1976-1983, when a military junta killed tens of thousands.

-- Jane Horwitz