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The result is a grand style
telling of a legend that still has a powerful and compelling moral, in
spite of the original being nearly 400 years old (The Trickster of
Seville and the Guest of Stone) and this version by Zorrilla having been
around only a mere 165 years.
But the actors play it like it
was yesterday, with energy and zest that puts the audience right into
the action, especially in the duels where they go for it in a big way.
You’d swear that Alberto Zeni who plays Don Juan and Rony Vega who
plays Don Luis Mejia, his adversary, actually have a score to settle as
they go for the kill in their fatal sword fighting duel. Fight captain
Ray Quiroga does a fantastic job (as he has done for many years at BFA)
staging and coaching the actors in the art of the foil. Quiroga also
plays Captain Centellas who eventually fights Don Juan in a later duel.
There are some light hearted
scenes and as usual, each noble has a servant or squire who often serves
as comic relief and is charged with the unsavory job of doing the master’s
bidding no matter how absurd or improper. Don Juan’s henchman is Marco
Ciutti, wonderfully portrayed by Alejandro Jimenez who manages just the
right amount of buffoonery and loyalty while keeping an aura of
propriety.
Don Juan’s major conquests
are Doña Ana de Pantoja, who was to have wed Don Luis Mejia but Don
Juan got to her bed first, (ergo the fight between them) and Doña Inez
de Ulloa, a beautiful novitiate who was plucked right out of the
convent, only to be left behind later. The beautiful damsels are played
by Elizabeth Del Sol (Ana) and Laura Millan (Inez), each of whom has the
thankless task of playing Don Juan’s forgotten triumphs.
Supporting Don Juan in his
philandering is Brigida, a woman who clears the way for him with Doña
Inez and who is absolutely wonderfully portrayed by Lina Montalvo who
has been in many fine presentations at BFA. When Ms Montalvo enters
there is a sense of solid credibility to her work, and no doubt the
other actors anchor to her professionalism as they build their
characters. Jose De Vega, playing Doña Inez’ father is equally
powerful in his role of a father who will go to any lengths to maintain
his daughter’s honor. Mr. De Vega is believable and authentic in a
role that requires displaying a high degree of energy and contempt.
If there is a sense of
redemption, it would be that eventually Don Juan discovers true love and
pledges his life long fidelity to Doña Inez, who still loves him, even
if he did kill her father. There is one little catch in this amorous
liaison . . . a small detail that could get in the way of them having
wedded bliss for the rest of their lives. By the time he discovers his
true love - - - well, it would be a lot more meaningful if you saw for
yourself.
Other actors in the cast
include Cristian Olave, who alternates for Don Juan, Abraham Chavez,
Elias Jimenez, Omar Castro, Daniel Restrepo, Cecilia E. Canelas and
Lorena Olguin-Salazar.
Don Juan Tenorio plays through
November 8, 2009 at the Bilingual Foundation of the Arts.
Performances are in Spanish and English. Click
here for tickets and information.
Comments? Write to us at: Letters@ReviewPlays.Com
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