Heartwood Presents Spanish Drama – “The House of Bernarda Alba”

Boston based flamenco guitarist, Juanito Pascual (www.juanitopascual.com) , performs original music to underscore Heartwood Regional Theater Company’s “The House of Bernarda Alba,” opening July 20th in Newcastle.  www.heartwoodtheater.org for more info.

In this searing dramatic piece by Heartwood Regional Theater Company, the Spanish ladies may be flapping their fans against the oppressive heat in their lives … but for the first time ever in this space, the audience will NOT!  “The House of Bernarda Alba,” written by Federico Garcia Lorca and adapted by Emily Mann, will open on July 20th in the newly air conditioned Parker Poe Theater, at Lincoln Academy, Newcastle (thanks to the collaborative efforts of Lincoln, Heartwood, and Midcoast Energy Systems, Inc).   Juanito Pascual, acclaimed as one of the top young flamenco guitarists on the international music scene, will perform original musical to underscore this electrifying performance.

If you’re looking for serious summer theater, this is your stop.  In Lorca’s own words, “Theater is poetry that rises from the book and becomes human enough to talk and shout, weep and despair.”  “The House of Bernarda Alba,” heavily influenced by both Chekhov and Greek tragedies, is poetry on stage - challenging, engaging, and inescapable.

A compelling female ensemble of ten draws the audience straight into the tragedy of their tightly woven lives, laced with seething jealousies, fear, and suppressed desire.  In this suffocating world of women, Bernarda Alba, with an iron will of conviction, leads her five restless daughters whose temperatures and passions run high, juxtaposed with lifeless household routines and oppressive tradition.   And of course, there is a man …

Both the warm, evocative music of Juanito Pascual’s flamenco guitar and the native Spanish accent of Millie Santiago who plays Bernarda Alba, are the perfect complements for the lyrical language and flavor of this piece.  Written in 1936 just before the Spanish Civil War, “The House of Bernarda Alba” is truly a play for all times, exploring eternal themes of desire, authoritarianism, prejudice, tradition, and tragedy.

“The House of Bernarda Alba” is supported by season sponsor Bath Savings Institution and show sponsor Newcastle Publick House.  For a complete evening of Midcoast delights, join one of several local restaurants supporting live theater performance and education at Heartwood this season: the Newcastle Publick House, Damariscotta River Grill, King Eider’s Pub, Rising Tide Community Market, and Salt Bay Café.

 Ninety minute performances will run for two weekends only in the Poe Theater at Lincoln Academy.  Evening performances beginning at 7:30 will show July 20, 21, 26, 27, & 28, with a final 3:00 matinee Sunday, July 29.  Seating is general, though special arrangements may be made at the time of reservation.  Tickets are $12/students and $18/adults.  Reservations are strongly suggested and may be obtained by phoning 207.563.1373 or emailing boxoffice@heartwoodtheater.org.   For pre-production photos and further details, visit www.heartwoodtheater.org.  Produced by special permission with Dramatists Play Service, Inc.