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Sueño

Translated and adapted by José Rivera from the play by Pedro Calderón de la Barca
Directed by Leslie Ishii

“Even in dreams, there is right and wrong.” A contemporary adaptation of Spanish Golden Age classic La Vida es Sueño (Life is a Dream), Sueño follows the life of young Prince Segismundo, heir to the Spanish throne, who is imprisoned at birth. What will Segismundo do when he is released if all he’s ever known are prison walls? This witty and enchanting version is translated and adapted by Obie award winning Puerto-Rican playwright José Rivera.

PERFORMANCES
March 6th – 22nd, 2020 at The Lab Theater
Thursdays, Friday & Saturday, 7:30PM, Sunday 2:30PM
Talkbacks to follow Friday and Saturday performances, except opening night

Cast Members:

Rosaura - Ankita Ashrit

Basillio - Pedro R. Bayón

Clotaldo - Ernest Briggs

Estrella - Katia Cardenas

Clarin - Adlyn Carreras

Segismundo - Fernando Collado

Chorus/Ensemble - Keila Anali Saucedo 

1st Soldier - Amarkirat Singh 

Astolfo - Nicolas “Sullie” Sullivan

​Study Guide

  • About this production

  • Character Breakdown

  • About the Playwrights, José Rivera & Pedro Calderón de la Barca

  • “The Golden Age” by David Pasto, Oklahoma City University

  • Historical Context: Politics, Cultural Changes, Compare & Contrast 

  • “Women and Theater in Calderón de la Barca’s Time” by Dr. Elizabeth Cruz Petersen

  • Glossary

  • Note from The Playwright - José Rivera

  • Discussion Questions & Activities

 

Related Resources:

Latinx Theater in the US

https://www.oxfordbibliographies.com/view/document/obo-9780199913701/obo-9780199913701-0066.xml

 

Theater Mania: “Life to Sueño” Review of NYC Debut

https://www.theatermania.com/new-york-city-theater/news/life-to-sueno_261.html

 

Interview with José Rivera

https://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/26/theater/newsandfeatures/jose-rivera.html

 

Encyclopedia.com Study Guide

https://www.encyclopedia.com/arts/educational-magazines/life-dream#Style

 

LitCharts Study Guide

https://www.litcharts.com/lit/life-is-a-dream/summary

 

About the play, “La vida es sueño (Life is a Dream)”

http://outofthewings.org/db/play/la-vida-es-sueno/index.html

 

Western Theater: Spain’s Golden Age

https://www.britannica.com/art/Western-the  

 

Spanish Literature in the Golden Age

https://www.britannica.com/art/Spanish-literature#ref933823 atre/Opera#ref305929

Download the full study guide, below
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