Britt Espressivo, the theatrical arm of the gourmet coffee company Café Britt, has inaugurated its second fulllength season of drama, tragedy and creative expression, including a few renditions of popular Broadway hits, at the Teatro Dionisio on the Café Britt grounds in Heredia, north of San José.
“All of the works this season are really good quality, with a variety of writers and directors,” said Eduardo Monsheim, theater director of Britt Espressivo. “It’s especially a great place for many Costa Rican artists to demonstrate their work.”
Following is a brief outline of this season’s productions:
Duda. A rendition of the Broadway hit “Doubt,” by John Patrick Shanley. Set at a convent in the Bronx in 1964, “Duda” is a story about paranoia and pedophilia in the Catholic Church. Accusations arise that Father Flynn is molesting a young child, under the strict eye of Sister Aloysius, who’s trying to maintain order in the convent and suppress change. Showing now through April 1.
Genesis: The Trip of Fire. A performance by fire dance group Cirko Vivo (www.cirkovivo.com) that uses fire to create its own element and language about the essence of life, through theater, dance, mime and storytelling, according to performer Juan Pablo Barahona. The group of jugglers, acrobats, ballerinas, clowns, contortionists and others seek to awe and enchant onstage. Showing April 14 to 22.
Waiting for Godot. A rendition of the famous 1952 play by Samuel Beckett.
Referred to as “a mystery wrapped in an enigma” by The New York Times and a “tragicomedy” by others, “Waiting for Godot” is the story of two tramps, Vladimir and Estragon, who pass most of the play in conversation waiting for a man named Godot, who may or may not come. Showing April 28 to June 17.
Isabel Viendo Llover en Macondo. An adaptation of the 1955 novel by Gabriel García Márquez. The story is set in the Colombian town of Macondo, where Márquez wrote many of his most famous works. Britt Espressivo summarizes the story, saying a flood divides the small Latin American town, which then seeks to rebuild itself and understand its identity. Showing June 23 to Aug. 19.
Casa de Asterión. An adaptation of the story by Jorge Luis Borges. The troupe presents a dialogue using the spoken word and live percussion, reflecting the tension between the rational and the animal and the human and the beastly. Showing Aug. 25 to Oct. 21.
Macbeth. William Shakespeare’s famous dark tragedy comes to Costa Rica, performed in English and directed by Paul Stebbings. Set in Scotland, the play focuses on the story of King Macbeth, which many have seen as a model tale of the dangers of the lust for power and the betrayal of friends. Showing the month of September at the National Theater in San José.
Malabares. Cirko Vivo brings its fire magic and dance to the stage again. One act features a collection of balls that shine bright lights; an acrobat whirls them around his body to create the image of floating balls, according to Barahona, who says the goal of the group’s performances is to transform through images, theater and music. Showing Oct. 27 to Nov. 4.
Una Cuenta de Navidad. A rendition of Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” the story of an old miser who is changed after visits by three Christmas ghosts who help him see the giving and charitable aspect of Christmas. Showing Nov. 10 to Dec. 16.
With the exception of “Macbeth,” all performances will be presented in Spanish. Shows are twice weekly, Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 5 p.m. The price of admission is ¢4,000 ($7.70) for adults and ¢2,500 ($4.80) for students. For information, visit the theater’s Web site at www.brittespressivo.com or call 277-1542.
