Romances
Shakespeare's romances combine elements of the pastoral, tragedy, and comedy. The Winter's Tale involves two different locations and the passage of time, and it has been transposed to various Latinx settings for that reason. The Tempest, associated with the Caribbean, was largely absent from Latinx Shakespeares due to the depiction of Caliban, who is native to the island. In the last decade, various Latinx theatre-makers have staged and adapted the story to counter earlier pejorative stagings and interpretations.
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Scroll down or press these links for productions of Pericles, The Tempest, and The Winter's Tale.
Pericles
The Old Globe (San Diego, CA) - 2009 Courtesy of: The Old Globe
The Old Globe (San Diego, CA) - 2009 Courtesy of: The Old Globe
The Old Globe (San Diego, CA) - 2009 Courtesy of: The Old Globe
The Old Globe (San Diego, CA) - 2009 Courtesy of: The Old Globe
2009 Old Globe Theatre
San Diego, CA
Pericles
(dir. Vivia Font)
This production was one of the many bilingual summer shows with students that The Old Globe ran for several years.
All images courtesy of The Old Globe Theatre
The Tempest
2005 Resonance Ensemble
New York, NY
La Tempestad
by Larry Loebell
(dir. Eric Parness)
Resonance Ensemble (New York, NY) - 2005 Photography By: Jon Kandel Courtesy of: Resonance Ensemble
Resonance Ensemble (New York, NY) - 2005 Photography By: Jon Kandel Courtesy of: Resonance Ensemble
Resonance Ensemble (New York, NY) - 2005 Artwork by: S. Kim Glassman Courtesy of: Resonance Ensemble
Resonance Ensemble (New York, NY) - 2005 Photography By: Jon Kandel Courtesy of: Resonance Ensemble
Resonance Ensemble stages new plays - inviting the playwright to work with the director - in repertory with established classic plays.
All images courtesy of Resonance Ensemble
Present Company Theatre (Austin, TX) - 2014 Photography by: Shawn McHorse Courtesy of: Present Company Theatre
Present Company Theatre (Austin, TX) - 2014 Photography by: Shawn McHorse Courtesy of: Present Company Theatre
Present Company Theatre (Austin, TX) - 2014 Photography by: Shawn McHorse Courtesy of: Present Company Theatre
Present Company Theatre (Austin, TX) - 2014 Photography by: Shawn McHorse Courtesy of: Present Company Theatre
2014 Present Company Theatre
Austin, TX
The Tempest
(dir. Lindsay Doleshal)
Present Company Theatre staged their production outdoors on Rain Lily Farm in East Austin with amazing sets by IA Ensterä. Sergio Alvarado played Caliban and spoke Spanish; Miranda spoke some Spanish to him. The program included a synopsis in both English and Spanish. Translations by Lauren Waelder.
All images courtesy of Present Company Theatre
2015 FreeFall Theatre
St. Petersburg, FL
The Tempest: Esta Isla Es Mia
by Eric Davis
(dir. James Oliver)
freeFall Theatre (St. Petersburg, FL) - 2015 Photography by: Mike Wood Courtesy of: Mike Wood
freeFall Theatre (St. Petersburg, FL) - 2015 Photography by: Mike Wood Courtesy of: Mike Wood
freeFall Theatre (St. Petersburg, FL) - 2015 Photography by: Mike Wood Courtesy of: Mike Wood
freeFall Theatre (St. Petersburg, FL) - 2015 Photography by: Mike Wood Courtesy of: Mike Wood
Eric Davis’ one-man show interwove Shakespeare’s story with a modern tale of a Cuban university professor and now refugee, Yuri. Davis alternated between several characters from The Tempest, and the post-colonial parallel to Yuri’s journey. Davis mixed in modern dialogue and some verse by José Martí.
All images courtesy of Mike Wood
Classical Theatre of Harlem (New York, NY) - 2015 Photography by: Jill Jones Courtesy of: Classical Theatre of Harlem
Classical Theatre of Harlem (New York, NY) - 2015 Photography by: Jill Jones Courtesy of: Classical Theatre of Harlem
Classical Theatre of Harlem (New York, NY) - 2015 Photography by: Jill Jones Courtesy of: Classical Theatre of Harlem
Classical Theatre of Harlem (New York, NY) - 2015 Photography by: Jill Jones Courtesy of: Classical Theatre of Harlem
All images courtesy of Classical Theatre of Harlem
2015 Classical Theatre of Harlem
New York, NY
The Tempest
(dir. Carl Cofield)
The production was set in Hispaniola, the island that the Dominican Republic and Haiti share. Carl Cofield’s production included some Spanish, French, and Kreyòl (Haitian Creole). Ron Cephas Jones starred as Prospero and Haitian, Carl Hendrick Louis played Caliban, and Reynaldo Piniella played Ferdinand. It was performed in the outdoor Richard Rodgers Amphitheater in Marcus Garvey Park and met with resounding acclaim by audiences and critics.
2017 Milagro
Portland, OR
Óye Oyá
Book by: Rebecca Martinez, based on a treatment by Rodolfo Ortega
Music by: Rodolfo Ortega
Lyrics by: Rodolfo Ortega and Rebecca Martinez
(dir. Estefanía Fadul)
L-R: Lori Felipe-Barkin, Amalia Alarcón Morris, Christian Alvarez, Enrique Andrade (green shirt), Julana Torres (red skirt), Janelle (Jani) VanPelt, and Julio César Velásquez Milagro (Portland, OR) - 2017 Photography by: Russell J. Young Courtesy of: Milagro
L-R: Jimmy Garcia (trumpet), Lori Felipe- Barkin (w/shaker), Julana Torres (standing), Christian Alvarez (w/ drum) Milagro (Portland, OR) - 2017 Photography by: Russell J. Young Courtesy of: Milagro
L-R: Lori Felipe-Barkin, Amalia Alarcón Morris, Christian Alvarez, Enrique Andrade (green shirt), Julana Torres (red skirt), Janelle (Jani) VanPelt, and Julio César Velásquez Milagro (Portland, OR) - 2017 Photography by: Russell J. Young Courtesy of: Milagro
Óye Oyá is a Spanish-language musical adaptation of The Tempest. Set in present-day Cuba, the show incorporates Cuban zarzuela and Santería (Oyá is the orisha of winds and storms). The show ran in Spanish with English subtitles.
All images courtesy of Milagro
The Tempest: A Gentrification Story by: Laura Baglereau and Khristián Méndez Aguirre Performance as Practice Public Graduate Student Association (Austin, TX) – 2018 Courtesy of: Laura Baglereau and Khristián Méndez Aguirre
The Tempest: A Gentrification Story by: Laura Baglereau and Khristián Méndez Aguirre Performance as Practice Public Graduate Student Association (Austin, TX) – 2018 Courtesy of: Laura Baglereau and Khristián Méndez Aguirre
The Tempest: A Gentrification Story by: Laura Baglereau and Khristián Méndez Aguirre Performance as Practice Public Graduate Student Association (Austin, TX) – 2018 Courtesy of: Laura Baglereau and Khristián Méndez Aguirre
2018 CTX Live Theatre / UT Austin
Austin, TX
The Tempest: A Gentrification Story
(dirs. Laura Baglereau and Khristián Méndez Aguirre)
Laura Baglereau and Khristián Méndez Aguirre adapted and co-directed this production when they were both graduate students at
All images courtesy of Laura Baglereau and Khristián Méndez Aguirre
2018 Rhode Island Latino Arts (RILA) and Trinity Repertory
Providence, Central Falls, and Pawtucket, RI - 2018
La Tempestad
Translation by: Orlando Hernandez
(dir. Tatyana Marie-Carlo)
La Tempestad is a bilingual English-Spanish adaptation of The Tempest that was performed in various locations in Rhode Island between June 28 – July 27, 2018. It had an all-Latinx cast and was performed outdoors in parks and venues in areas throughout the state with high Latinx populations.
Rhode Island Latino Arts (RILA) and Trinity Repertory Company (Providence, Central Falls, and Pawtucket, RI) - 2018 Courtesy of: Rhode Island Latino Arts (RILA)
Rhode Island Latino Arts (RILA) and Trinity Repertory Company (Providence, Central Falls, and Pawtucket, RI) - 2018 Courtesy of: Rhode Island Latino Arts (RILA) Graphics by: Michael Guy
Rhode Island Latino Arts (RILA) and Trinity Repertory Company (Providence, Central Falls, and Pawtucket, RI) - 2018 Courtesy of: Rhode Island Latino Arts (RILA) Photography by: Natalie Rosario
Rhode Island Latino Arts (RILA) and Trinity Repertory Company (Providence, Central Falls, and Pawtucket, RI) - 2018 Courtesy of: Rhode Island Latino Arts (RILA)
All images courtesy of Rhode Island Latino Arts (RILA)
2018 Yale Repertory Theatre
New Haven, CT
El Huracán
by Charise Castro Smith
(dir. Laurie Woolery)
Charise Castro Smith sets the action in Miami and creates a matrilineal story of loss.
Image by Magnus Stark.
Courtesy of GableStage Theatre Company in Miami
from their 2023 production.
R.Evolución Latina (New York, NY) - 2019 Photography by: Jason River Courtesy of: R.Evolución Latina
R.Evolución Latina (New York, NY) - 2019 Photography by: Jason River Courtesy of: R.Evolución Latina
R.Evolución Latina (New York, NY) - 2019 Poster design by Victor Rodriguez Courtesy of: R.Evolución Latina
R.Evolución Latina (New York, NY) - 2019 Photography by: Jason River Courtesy of: R.Evolución Latina
2019 R.Evolución Latina and Pregones/PRTT
New York, NY
The Tempest
(dir. Luis Salgado)
The Tempest was a multilingual, devised theatre piece that included artists from across the Americas.
All images courtesy of R.Evolución Latina
2019 The Public Theater
New York, NY
The Tempest
(dir. Laurie Woolery)
Director Laurie Woolery chose to tell the story through a female perspective. African American actress Myra Lucretia Taylor played Prospera, Puerto Rican actress Nancy Rodriguez played Gonzalo, and Christopher Ryan Grant, the only white actor in the show, played Caliban. The show had a diverse cast and included elements of brujería.
Photo by: Carla Della Gatta
Courtesy of: Carla Della Gatta
2022 Huntington Theatre
Boston, MA
Rough Magic
by Andrew Siañez-De La O
(dir. Melinda Lopez)
This play was originally presented as part of the Breaking Ground Festival of New Work.
Courtesy of: Andrew Siañez-De La O
2024 Ophelia's Jump Productions
Pomona, CA
La Tempestad, or Shakespeare Goes Caribbean
by Beatrice Casagran
(dir. Beatrice Casagran)
This bilingual adaptation was set in 1895 on La Isla de la Juventud, off the coast of Cuba.
The Winter's Tale
1997 Luminarias
San Francisco, CA
The Winter's Tale
(dir. Joseph Ponce)
This was the first all-Latinx production of The Winter's Tale.
Luminarias (San Francisco, CA) – 1997 Courtesy of: Durand Garcia
Luminarias (San Francisco, CA) – 1997 Courtesy of: Durand Garcia
Luminarias (San Francisco, CA) – 1997 Courtesy of: Durand Garcia
All ephemera courtesy of Durand Garcia
2002 Denison University
Granville, OH
Perdita Gracia
by Caridad Svich
(dir. Jon R. Farris)
Svich's play inspired by The Winter's Tale centers on Perdita, who is grieving (and is haunted by) the loss of her mother. Set in the Florida Keys, the play embraces magic and includes music.
Invierno by José Cruz González PCPA – Pacific Conservatory Theatre (Santa Maria, CA) - 2010 Photography By: Luis Escobar Courtesy of: PCPA – Pacific Conservatory Theatre Director: Mark Booher Scenery: Tim Hogan Costumes: Juliane Starks Lighting: Jennifer ‘Z’ Zornow
Catalina Maynard* and Leah Dutchin; *Member, Actors’ Equity Association Invierno by José Cruz González PCPA – Pacific Conservatory Theatre (Santa Maria, CA) - 2010 Photography By: Luis Escobar Courtesy of: PCPA – Pacific Conservatory Theatre Director: Mark Booher Scenery: Tim Hogan Costumes: Juliane Starks Lighting: Jennifer ‘Z’ Zornow
Invierno by José Cruz González PCPA – Pacific Conservatory Theatre (Santa Maria, CA) - 2010 Photography By: Luis Escobar Courtesy of: PCPA – Pacific Conservatory Theatre Director: Mark Booher Scenery: Tim Hogan Costumes: Juliane Starks Lighting: Jennifer ‘Z’ Zornow
Invierno by José Cruz González PCPA – Pacific Conservatory Theatre (Santa Maria, CA) - 2010 Photography By: Luis Escobar Courtesy of: PCPA – Pacific Conservatory Theatre Director: Mark Booher Scenery: Tim Hogan Costumes: Juliane Starks Lighting: Jennifer ‘Z’ Zornow
All ephemera courtesy of PCPA -Pacific Conservatory Theatre
2010 PCPA
Santa Maria, CA
Invierno
by José Cruz González
(dir. Mark Booher)
Invierno resets The Winter’s Tale to the central coast of California between 1831 and 1848. Along with English and Spanish, Samala (the language of the Santa Ynez Chumash) is incorporated into the script.
Invierno is featured in Latinx Shakespeares (see p.94-107).
2014 Catholic University of America
Washington, D.C.
Perdida
Books and lyrics by: Kathleen Cahill
Original music by: Deborah Wicks La Puma
(dir. Elena Velasco)
Set during Day of the Dead festivities, this musical adaptation
Perdida - Book and lyrics by: Kathleen Cahill, Original music by: Deborah Wicks La Puma Catholic University (Washington, DC) – 2014 Courtesy of: Elena Velasco, Kathleen Cahill, Deborah Wicks La Puma Photography by: C. Stanley Photography
Perdida - Book and lyrics by: Kathleen Cahill, Original music by: Deborah Wicks La Puma Catholic University (Washington, DC) – 2014 Courtesy of: Elena Velasco, Kathleen Cahill, Deborah Wicks La Puma Photography by: C. Stanley Photography
Perdida - Book and lyrics by: Kathleen Cahill, Original music by: Deborah Wicks La Puma Catholic University (Washington, DC) – 2014 Courtesy of: Elena Velasco, Kathleen Cahill, Deborah Wicks La Puma
Perdida - Book and lyrics by: Kathleen Cahill, Original music by: Deborah Wicks La Puma Catholic University (Washington, DC) – 2014 Courtesy of: Elena Velasco, Kathleen Cahill, Deborah Wicks La Puma Photography by: C. Stanley Photography
All ephemera courtesy of Elena Velasco, Kathleen Cahill, and Deborah Wicks La Puma
Anthony Green as Leonte in The Island in Winter, or La Isla en Iniverno by: Carlos-Zenen Trujillo Bag & Baggage (Hillsboro, OR) - 2019 Courtesy of: Casey Campbell Photography
Shelley B. Shelley as Hermione and Nicky Nicholson-Klingerman as Perdida in The Island in Winter, or La Isla en Iniverno by: Carlos-Zenen Trujillo Bag & Baggage (Hillsboro, OR) - 2019 Courtesy of: Casey Campbell Photography
The Island in Winter, or La Isla en Iniverno by: Carlos-Zenen Trujillo Bag & Baggage (Hillsboro, OR) - 2019 Courtesy of: Bag & Baggage
Anthony Green as Leonte in The Island in Winter, or La Isla en Iniverno by: Carlos-Zenen Trujillo Bag & Baggage (Hillsboro, OR) - 2019 Courtesy of: Casey Campbell Photography
2019 Bag N Baggage
Hillsboro, OR
The Island in Winter / La Isla en Invierno
by Carlos-Zenen Trujillo
(dir. Scott Palmer)
This was the first play commissioned by Bag & Baggage Productions as part of their Problem Play Project