Words by Kristen Fogle
The tragic story of Dominican sisters who fought a dictatorship and died while trying has been detailed in a children's book, a fictionalized account on the big screen, a documentary, and a short story (Julia Alvarez's "In the Time of Butterflies"). Now, inspired by the last, Las Mariposas takes up the tale in an original dance theater production by Eveoke Theatre, opening its 2011/12 season as La Jolla Playhouse's Resident Theatre Company, playing at the Shank Theatre at La Jolla Playhouse.
On November 25, 1960, three of the Mirabel sisters, known as "las mariposas" or "the butterflies," were brutally murdered for their participation in the resistance movement against Dictator Rafael Trujillo. A fourth sister survived, choosing to share their story of courage, conviction, and compassion. This sister, Dede Maribal, opens the story, introducing the audience to her sisters Patria, Minerva, and Maria Teresa, each a vibrant young girl at the time. Later, Dede guides the audience to the specific points where each entered the revolution and, now adults, how their lives change as a result. Las Mariposas delivers powerful messages to its audience—that of moving forward out of tragedy, the necessity of forgiveness, and the effect of women, even one woman, in her nation.
Though the show is new to the Playhouse, it originally debuted in November/December of 2010 at the 10th Avenue Theatre. Due to community interest and a need to reach a broader audience, the show continues at Shank Theatre. Additionally in November of this year, the U.S. Embassy will be sponsoring the Eveoke Dance Theatre's tour of Las Mariposas to the Dominican Republic. The group will perform in Santo Domingo and Santiago and give master classes, as well as conduct a workshop/performance at a cultural festival. They are also looking into possibly visiting and doing a dance workshop at a farm and literacy center run by Julia Alvarez, who opened the door to Eveoke participating in this experience abroad. Says the author: "The Eveoke performance has been the adaptation [of her work] that has most moved me: the company's creativity in translating the story into dance, its commitment to educating and the community and having conversations with the audience, its passion for the story and advocacy for human rights."
It is that passion that drives Eveoke to promote their message in the minds of audience members even after their show. So it is not surprising then that Eveoke has paired with several community partners including UCSD's Women Center, San Diego's Voices of Women, and the Commission on the Status of Women, County of San Diego. Each group works on women's and girls' issues both locally and globally through creative and educational outreach and policy advocacy. Each group will be highlighted for one weekend of the show's run.
Besides encouraging those interested in social work to see Eveoke's performance, those interested in seeing truly gifted dance should see these 13 capable performers. The careful, calculated quality of each dance segment as co-created by Erica Malone and Ericka Aisha Moore, the meticulous sound selection, as well as the standout quality of many of its members should be noted. All are gifted, but Jessica Rabanzo Flores as Adult Minerva, possibly the most passionate of the sisters, flies around the stage with robust impassioned movements that leave the audience members stunned, and Charlene Penner shines as the ethereal, breathtaking (and admittedly creepy) Butterfly.
A visit to "The Butterflies" will see to it that you are inspired: one will witness art that is not only beautiful, but carries an important cause behind it. We wish this experienced, passionate troupe even more success with their inspiring message in the hope that the telling of stories like this will one day quell strife caused by dictatorships we continue to see in modern day countries all around the world.
Eveoke Dance Theatre presents "Las Mariposas"
Theodore and Adele Shank Theatre at La Jolla Playhouse
September 8-25
2910 La Jolla Villiage Drive
La Jolla, CA 92037
http://www.lajollaplayhouse.com/ , http://www.eveoke.org/
For the original posts, please visit http://www.artsnfashion.com/index.php/component/content/article/49/107-las-mariposas-review-by-kristen-fogleOR
http://sdtheatrereviews.com/arts.php?newsId=255
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