Spotlight on Contemporary Spanish Theater: La Ternura

This staged reading of Alfredo Sanzol’s “La Ternura,” which narrates the adventure of a queen and her two daughters traveling on the Invincible Armada, is part of “Spain in DC | Cultural week.”

Spanish theater is a reflection of the land where it is created: culturally rich, and diverse. Rooted in a strong tradition of theater coming from the XVI century, contemporary Spanish theater is a blend of voices and styles exploring the issues of our time.

La Ternura

• Directed by Michael Windsor.
• With Emerald Queen: Malinda Markland; Salmon Princess: Ashley K. Nicholas; Ruby Princess: Lauren Farnell; Seagreen Woodcutter: Christian Montgomery; Skyblue Woodcutter: Jimmy Mavrikes; and Brown Woodcutter: Keith Richards.

La Ternura (Tenderness) tells the story of a somewhat magical queen and her two daughters, traveling on the Invincible Armada, forced by King Philip II to marry English nobles for convenience, after having invaded England. Queen Maragda hates men because they have always controlled her life and taken away her freedom, so she is not willing to let her daughters suffer the same fate.

When the Armada passes close by an island that the queen believes to be deserted, she causes a great storm that sinks the ship they are sailing on. Her plan is to stay and live on that island with her daughters so that she will never have to see a man again…

About the director

Michael Windsor is back at the Embassy of Spain after directing readings of Escaping Labyrinths and The Lost Children in 2019. He is a four time Helen Hayes nominated director and Co-Artistic Director of Monumental Theatre Company. Windsor has worked on the directing team on a variety of workshops and shows across the DMV, including Titanic, Blackbeard, and Light Years at Signature Theatre as well as James and the Giant Peach at Adventure Theater.

Windsor’s direction has been praised for being “unconventional” and “a refreshing take on musical theatre.” Other directing credits include:

• Monumental: tick, tick… BOOM, Daddy Long Legs, Brooklyn, The Talented Mr. Ripley (workshop), A Premarital Cabaretwith Caroline Bowman & Austin Colby, Holidazed: A New Musical, Flip Flop: Miscast Cabaret, Day by Day: A Stephen Schwartz Revue.
• Signature Theatre: Blackbeard (Assoc. Director), Light Years (Assoc. Director), Titanic (Asst. Director).
• Adventure Theatre: James and the Giant Peach (Assistant Director).
• Other: Seussical: The Musical, You Can’t Take it With You, Dog Sees God, Seven Menus, 21A.

Playwright Alfredo Sanzol will be present at the event. This will be the last staged reading of the Spotlight on Contemporary Spanish Theater program.