We Three Kings: National Flamenco Institute brings biggest cast to the stage in 'La Estrella'

Marisol Encinias knows her way around a stage.

Since she was a child, the stage has felt like a second home.

As the National Institute of Flamenco executive director, Encinias has overseen plenty of productions.

With “La Estrella: A Flamenco Story of the Kings’ Quest,” it may be the biggest staged production she’s had.

“We have 128 full cast members,” Encinias says. “That’s a very large cast that is made up of all different backgrounds. We have professional dancers, those who are learning and members all the way to three years old.”

Encinias says “La Estrella” will be presented for the fifth time at Rodey Theatre on the University of New Mexico campus on Friday, Dec. 15, through Sunday, Dec. 17.

“La Estrella” dramatizes the journey of The Three Kings.

The production is based on the 12th century mystery play “Auto de los Tres Reyes Magos” – the earliest known play in Spanish.

The show features flamenco dance and music, villancicos (Christmas carols), Spanish regional dances, escuela bolera, African dance and Las Posadas.

Encinias says the idea for “La Estrella” began years ago when NIF wanted to do a holiday production that would incorporate the institute’s students and professional dancers and musicians.

We Three Kings: National Flamenco Institute brings biggest cast to the stage in 'La Estrella'

In August 2018, Encinias took over the development of the story.

“It’s based on a short piece of literature that is about six pages,” she says. “It’s written in old Castellano. It feels like a very different language and the significance of the gifts all had symbolism.”

At the time, NIF was doing Las Posadas and wanted to give a different perspective.

Over the course of the journey’s production, it’s grown to include more dancers, as well as the production value increasing.

“We have great musicians who have joined and each helps take it to the next level,” she says. “The music continues to develop and that’s a very large task. There’s a section when we do a piece that is Middle Eastern music inspired by flamenco. We also have pieces of African music, and country and western. There are some classical pieces inspired by more Baroque type music.”

Encinias says there are specific dances that represent gold, myrrh and frankincense.

“What makes it even more beautiful is regardless of your faith, it has this mystery and mysticism in it,” she says. “It’s a story of hope and faith. Things that are turning into bigger ideas. That’s part of our humanity.”

Encinias says the show brings a sense of joy to her.

“That’s the reason I love this show. There’s a sense of a higher power,” she says. “It’s a hectic time of year and the show allows us to contemplate what The Three Kings were looking for. They were looking for this idea of hope, goodness and belief in something that was going to be a promise or a prophecy.”