The Classic Theatre had a hit last year with a Sandra Cisneros-originated work, and now it’s coming back.
That production was a stage adaptation of Sandra Cisneros's novel The House on Mango Street. The Classic Theatre's Executive Director Kelly Roush says San Antonio couldn't get enough of it.
"We sold out the whole run. So with that demand and interest from the community, we worked with the cast to bring back the original cast and director."
This being the place where Ms. Cisneros lived for so long, they felt an additional obligation to really get it right.
"Oh, absolutely--Jose, actually, the director, is long-time friends with Sandra, and was very aware of wanting to do justice to her work and tell this story fully, 'cause it is so beautiful."
Turns out one of the performances had a celebrity in attendance.
"Sandra came and saw the show in September and wrote a beautiful note to the actors and the director, and stayed afterwards and chatted with us, so we were proud."
It's the story of a young girl just beginning to become a young woman, so to capture that transitional phase required good casting.
"We were very lucky in finding Bella Villareal. She is eleven. And she is beyond her years in what she is able to do, and Sandra said she had never seen it before with such a young performer, and that made it even more moving for her, because of Bella's skill."
That central character is Esperanza--hope, in Spanish. Though it's drama that may not be for the entire family.
"Certainly students are reading this book in Middle School, and high school and college and beyond, so middle school and beyond."
House on Mango Street has a two weekend run, starting next week.
"Seven shows only, April 6, 7, 8 and 9, Thursday, Friday, Saturday at 8, Sunday at 3. And the next weekApril 13th, 14th and 15th, which is Thursday, Friday,Saturday night at 8 o'clock. 4 25 We invite you to celebrate the season of hope with us with a very hopeful story."
Find more on The House on Mango Street here.
