Diversifying the Classics: The Comedia Slam

Diversifying The Classics presents staged readings of comedia translations by Los Angeles theater companies, followed by discussions on interpretation, performance, and future directions for diversity in the theater.

Diversifying the Classics promotes the vibrant, Spanish-language theatrical tradition developed on both sides of the Atlantic by playwrights such as Spaniards Lope de Vega and Juan Ruiz de Alarcón. The project seeks to foster awareness and appreciation of Hispanic classical theater in Los Angeles and beyond, expanding the canon to include the heritage of U.S. Latino communities.

The comedias of the Hispanic Golden Age are plays for the people; performances took place in open-air theaters, where attendees of all classes and both sexes commingled. At the same time the works are sophisticated urban dramas, offering pointed reflections on the constructed nature of class and gender as well as the performativity of social roles in the burgeoning city, issues that resonate with audiences today.

The Widow of Valencia by Lope de Vega

• On Saturday, October 12.
• Presented by the Actor’s Gang.
• A young, beautiful woman is suddenly granted unexpected social freedom after her husband’s death. She plots to protect her reputation by day while enjoying her lover by night, using her wits to fool everyone and keep one step ahead of her increasingly complicated schemes.

Monologue competition

• On Saturday, October 12.
• The monologue competition features selections from Diversifying the Classics’ recent publication: 90 Monologues from Spanish Classical Theater.

What We Owe Our Lies by Juan Ruiz de Alarcón

• On Sunday, October 13.
• Presented by Antaeus Theatre Company.
• An attractive foreigner appears in Madrid and inspires two women to break out of their proposed marriages in pursuit of chosen love. Close quarters create confusion and danger: how do you win at love when your romantic rival lives next door and watchful brothers and jealous suitors are right around the corner?

Unhappily Married in Valencia by Guillén de Castro

• On Sunday, October 13.
• Presented by Independent Shakespeare Co.
• What happens after the happy ending? Two married couples air their disillusions with marriage, while the cross-dressed mistress of one of the husbands merrily manipulates one and all. With everyone attracted to the wrong person, innuendo, accusations, and revenge steal the show.