GALA Hispanic Theatre’s Interim Producing Artistic Director Abel López proudly
announces the 2023-2024 season. “For 47 years, Hugo Medrano, GALA co-founder and artistic director, looked forward to announcing the artistic program for the new season with great excitement and anticipation,” stated López. “Sadly, we lost Hugo before he shared what he had in store for you—a provocative main stage season featuring the work of a Pulitzer Prize winner, a world premiere by an acclaimed novelist, and a reimagining of a wickedly seductive musical that we commissioned several years ago.
“Together we will question and reflect on the cost and sacrifices of a love forbidden between a devout priest and a parishioner; confront the dashed dreams of a family of exiles seeking refuge in Miami in the 1980s; and witness the obsession of a country to hold on to the power of an icon after her death. These stories reveal the complexities of our lives and the decisions we make.
“And now, as we ponder what comes next for GALA,” continued López, “we look back for inspiration and direction from Hugo’s legacy… and move forward. Although change will come, we remain steadfast in our commitment to tell Latino stories in Spanish and English by and with Latino artists as diverse as the community we serve. Join us as we enter our next stage of presenting the best of the Latino performing arts, affirm our commitment to our artists and community, and endeavor for a more just and equitable world where the arts thrive. ¡Que viva Hugo!”
MAIN STAGE SEASON PRODUCTIONS
BAÑO DE LUNA – Bathing in Moonlight
Written and Directed by Pulitzer Prize winner Nilo Cruz (Cuba/USA)
September 7 – October 1, 2023
In Spanish with English surtitles
Enter a world where love’s forbidden allure leads to a relationship between Father Monroe, a devout Catholic priest, and a beguiling Havana pianist from his parish. This spellbinding drama explores the depths of passion, moral conflict, and sacrifice. Will they choose faith or surrender to the irresistible pull of their heartstrings?
LAS HERMANAS PALACIOS – The Palacios Sisters
By Cristina García (Cuba)
Directed by Adrián Alea
February 1 – 25, 2024
In Spanish with English surtitles
Playwright Cristina García catapults Chekhov’s “Three Sisters” forward to 1985 Miami, where three sisters and a brother recently arrived from Cuba navigate a treacherous landscape of drug wars, violence, and an escalating AIDS epidemic. Can the Palacios siblings pull together as a family without sacrificing their values? Or will the pressures of exile and survival ultimately pull them apart?
MOMIA EN EL CLÓSET – Mummy in the Closet: The Return of Eva Perón
Book by Gustavo Ott (Venezuela)
Lyrics by Mariano Vales and Gustavo Ott
Original Music by Mariano Vales (Argentina)
Directed by Mariano Caligaris
May 9 – June 9, 2024
In Spanish with English surtitles
With tantalizing lyrics and the seductive allure of tango, waltz, and salsa, this wicked show seamlessly blends history and fantasy. Follow the afterlife of Eva Perón when her preserved corpse ignites political scandals, clandestine affairs, and mysterious murders, exposing the intense love between Evita and the working class and her mesmerizing spiritual power as Argentina’s most revered icon.
PERFORMANCE & FILM
LITTLE CENTRAL AMERICA, 1984 – A Sanctuary Then and Now
Written and performed by Elia Arce & Rubén Martínez
July 21 – 23, 2023
In English with some Spanish
Co-presented by GALA Theatre and Circuit Network, this show reanimates the history of the Sanctuary Movement that offered safety for refugees fleeing Central American civil wars of the 1980s. Using music, poetry, and testimonials, Arce and Martínez contextualize the most recent refugee crisis. What place does DC’s Central American community occupy in the city’s culture, politics, and imagination? What role does artistic representation play in collective memory and healing? This program will be presented at All Souls Church Unitarian (1500 Harvard St. NW, WDC 20009).
XIX FUEGO FLAMENCO FESTIVAL
19th Annual Flamenco Festival
November 4 – November 19, 2023
Featuring local and international artists in an expanded three-week festival!
LA BANDA MORISCA (Andalusia, Spain)
November 4 – 5, 2023
Surrender to the mesmerizing melodies of La Banda Morisca, and their music, which emanates from the rich tapestry of flamenco origins in old Al-Andaluz, a region deeply influenced by Islamic traditions and interwoven connections with the Middle East. With seamless artistry, La Banda Morisca draws upon these ancient ties, bridging cultures and captivating hearts along the way.
LO PRECISO
Featuring dancer Rafael Ramírez
November 9 – 12, 2023
In collaboration with Spain Flamenco Arts and Federación de Comunidades Andaluzas Centro España (FECACE)
Experience the exhilarating journey of Lo preciso, where mesmerizing bailador Rafael Ramírez sets the stage ablaze, igniting your senses. Lo preciso delves into the realm of idyllic and perfect relationships, exploring our relentless pursuit of flawlessness while leaving no room for error. It is an exploration of the notion of precision, which evokes a profound sense of fulfillment.
ENREDO
Flamenco Aparicio Dance Co. (District of Columbia)
November 17 – 19, 2023
A new flamenco masterpiece directed by visionary artist Edwin Aparicio and choreographed by the extraordinary Iván Orellana, recipient of the prestigious GALA Fuego Flamenco Award at the 2022 Competition of Spanish Dance and Flamenco in Madrid. Witness a spectacular display of raw passion, fiery zapateo, and rhythm.
LEYENDAS DE MI TIERRA – Stories from Home
Yvonne Montoya and Company – Arizona
October 28 & 29, 2023
Montoya’s choreography breathes life into untold Latino stories of the American Southwest. Drawing from personal histories and ancestral knowledge passed down from generation to generation, her stories reveal the true impact of the bracero program on Southwest communities, the environmental impact of the development of the atomic bomb on Latino communities and claiming her Sephardic roots. Montoya and company celebrate the power of heritage, resilience, and the transformative force of dance.
GALA FILM FEST: Latin American Innovation
November 29 – December 3, 2023
All films in Spanish with English subtitles
Emerging young directors bring their unique and critical perspectives on the issues facing Latin America, defining a new era for Latin America cinema. Enjoy Q&As with artists and experts, receptions, and more.
ZAVALA-ZAVALA
By composer Brian Arreola
Libretto by Anna Deeny Morales
June 28 – 30, 2024
This chamber opera in five cuts delves into the moving story of Natividad Zavala-Zavala, a Honduran woman torn apart from her seven-year-old grandson after their treacherous crossing of the Río Grande in 2017. Experience her heart-wrenching journey as the riveting narrative unfolds and explores the resilience of juridical systems in the face of Trump’s Zero Tolerance directive.
GALita – BILINGUAL THEATER FOR YOUNG AUDIENCES
PICASSO
By Cornelia Cody, commissioned by GALA
Directed by Elena Velasco
October 14 – 22, 2023
From the lush stroke of his paintbrush to the beat of his heart, the artful canvas of Picasso’s life unfolds through memories of cherished family and friends, his passion for bullfights, the circus, and the stage. Immerse yourself in the imagination of this creative genius.
Performances for the general public are Saturdays at 11 am and 3 pm, and Sundays at 3 pm.
LA FIESTA DE LOS REYES MAGOS – THREE KINGS DAY
January 7, 2024 at 1:30 pm
Join in the magic of GALA’s annual Three Kings Day celebration featuring a procession through the neighborhood led by the magi, live animals, music and dance performances, and a gift for every child. A free community event.
MÁS AVENTURAS DE DON QUIJOTE – More Adventures of Don Quixote
By Patricia Suárez, commissioned by GALA
March 9 – 24, 2024
Brimming with lively music and uproarious laughter, this bilingual play follows the gentleman from La Mancha and his faithful squire, Sancho Panza, as they embark on a fresh series of misadventures. Join them as they defend the helpless, challenge convention, and stumble upon hilariously mistaken identities.
Performances for the general public are Saturdays and Sundays at 3 pm.
PASO NUEVO YOUTH PROGRAM
Under the direction of Chris Rios, GALA’s FREE after-school youth program offers bilingual training in drama, movement, writing, and technical theater to youth ages 14 to 19. Students create new, original works and perform for the public in the Fall, Spring, and Summer. Paso Nuevo is the winner of the 2012 National Arts and Humanities Youth Arts Program Award.
GENERAL INFORMATION
SCHEDULE: Main stage season productions are Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 pm, and Sundays at 2 pm. For other performance times, visit www.galatheatre.org or call (202) 234-7174. All schedules are subject to change.
TICKETS: Single tickets to main stage productions and Flamenco shows are $48; tickets for military, seniors (65+), teachers, and student 25+ are $35; tickets for students under 25 are $25; and tickets for groups of 10 or more people are $35 each. Tickets for the Fall and Spring public performances of GALita are $10 for children and $12 for adults. To purchase tickets, visit www.galatheatre.org or call (202) 234-7174.
LOCATION, ACCESSIBILITY, PARKING & METRO: GALA Theatre is located at 3333 14th Street NW, Washington, DC. The theatre has 4 wheelchair-accessible spaces and an elevator to transport people from the entrance to the lobby, and to the house. Discounted parking of $4 is available in the secure Giant parking garage directly behind the theater. The entrance is located on Park Road and Holmead Street, NW (you must validate your parking ticket at the theatre lobby). GALA is located one block north of the
Columbia Heights Metro station (Green/Yellow Lines).
FOR MORE INFORMATION, call (202) 234-7174 or visit www.galatheatre.org.
