La Vida es Sueño (Life is a Dream)

One of the essential works of Spanish Golden Age theater, this timeless play by Spanish dramatist Pedro Calderón de la Barca exploring free will, fate, and tyranny opens the new season at Teatro Círculo.

La vida es sueño

• On Fridays at 8 pm, Saturdays at 3 pm and 8 pm, and Sundays at 3 pm.
• Directed by Spanish director Mariano De Paco Serrano.
• In Spanish with English overtitles.

Teatro Círculo, one of New York City’s leading Spanish language classical and contemporary Latino theatres, announces the return of in-person performances, after more than 22 months of remote programming, with the presentation of La vida es sueño (Life is a Dream) by famed Spanish dramatist Pedro Calderón de la Barca. From November 26 to December 12, 2021, theater-goers can enjoy this iconic masterpiece of the Spanish Golden Age theater and contemplate the philosophical allegory about the boundaries of the real and unreal worlds, right and wrong, and life and death.

Published in 1636 and considered one of the best-known theatrical works of Spanish theater during the Baroque period, the piece relates the story of Segismundo, Prince of Poland, who has been imprisoned by his father, King Basilio, following a dire prophecy that the prince would bring disaster to the country and death to the King. Basilio briefly frees Segismundo, but when the prince goes on a rampage, the king imprisons him again, persuading him that his temporary release was all a dream. The classical performance challenges us to question what are dreams and what is reality; and what are truths and what are lies. Inquiries that are especially prevalent during this time.

About Teatro Círculo

Founded in 1994 by Founding Artistic Director José Cheo Oliveras, Teatro Círculo is New York City’s premier Spanish language classical and contemporary Latino theatre company. Recognized for its artistic excellence with more than 95 ACE, HOLA and ATI Awards, Teatro Circulo’s productions continue to amplify the rich mosaic of Iberian and Latino cultures.