The second evening of "Words Afire," the New Play Festival at UNM, brought another adaptation of a classical Greek play set in northern New Mexico.
 

In “Aurora” student playwright Leonard Madrid combines plot devices from Euripides’s “Alcestis” with Christian myth and local folklore. On Justin Townsend’s stunning set director Scott Vehill places the equivalent of the Greek chorus, four women clad in colorful Mexican-style costumes designed by Shannon Simpson. Played by Damiana Miller, Catie Reardon, Juliane Flores, and Samantha Emord, the women are sometimes locals rehearsing for Mass and other times Queens of Heaven. Unfortunately, they are often seated too far upstage, making them difficult at times to hear and understand. Aurora, (Lila Martinez) has reclaimed her husband Adelino (Shannon Flynn) and molded him into “the town’s best man.” She also tenderly cares for Hermin, her orphaned nephew. Hermin has an older brother Solito, and both are obsessed with the characters and plots of “Star Trek.” Michael Ellis, too young to be a UNM student, plays Hermin, while Paul Brennan is Solito. The two actors seem to be in two different plays. Brennan projects his dialogue and uses large gestures; youthful Ellis, however, often speaks too softly and indistinctly to be heard.

The character of Hermin has special powers that allow him to visit heaven and to speak with Death in the form of Sebastiana. Lovely Erica Ocegueda portrays this character with gusto and verve. Beautifully costumed in a black lace gown, she commands the stage when she appears. As one character observes, “your pictures don’t do you justice.” Hermin learns that Adelino will die the next evening, but a deal is made to allow a substitution if one can be found. Aurora chooses to replace her husband in death, leaving Adelino alive but bereft. Ultimately, the two brothers offer themselves in a deadly exchange for Aurora and Adelino. Madrid, three-time winner of the Kennedy Center award for Latino playwrights, undertakes some interesting things in this play. A complex metaphor compares the details of weaving to the thread of life and death, but I found it difficult to follow. I liked the idea of representing “Star Trek” as modern mythology, but again the connections are not clear enough. Madrid’s voice is important, but this is not his strongest work.

If You Go

WHAT: “Aurora” by Leonard Madrid

WHEN: Sunday, April 20, at 6 p.m. and Saturday, April 26, at 7 p.m.

WHERE: Rodey Theatre, UNM Center for the Arts

HOW MUCH: $15 general public, $10 faculty, staff, seniors, and $8 students. Call 925-5858 for ticket information

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