On the eve of Art Basel—the biggest art event in Miami—art gallery owner Mariana discovers that her art has suddenly vanished. As she (naturally) goes into panic mode, her often-absent mother Estella unexpectedly drops into town. Together, can they resolve this nightmare within several hours?
A humorous collage of chaos and Latin culture, “Laughs in Spanish,” premieres on March 14 at Hartford Stage and runs through March 30, 2025.
One-half art-heist and the other being a mother-daughter story, the performance offers “a snapshot of Cuban and Colombian American life,” while being “deeply, deeply funny,” shared Artistic Director Melia Bensussen. The play is written by Jewish-Colombian playwright Alexis Scheer and first premiered in 2023.
“Really, it’s a story of what does it means to be a Latina and an artist trying to forge your way in the world, and what is the cost of being a mother and a passionate Latina artist who’s dedicated to being, really, at the top of her field…and forging a path that no one has forged before,” commented Director Lisa Portes.
The cast includes Stephanie Machado as Mariana, Maggie Bofill as Estella, María Victoria Martínez as Carolina, Olivia Hebert as Jenny, and Luis Vega as Juan.
The creative team also includes Brian Sidney Bembridge on scenic design, Harry Nadal on costume design, Sherrice Mojgani on lighting design, Daniela Hart / UptownWorks on sound design, Intimacy Coordinator Kelsey Rainwater, Dialect and Voice Coach Cynthia Santos DeCure, Stage manager Theresa Stark, Casting Director Gama Valle, and Assistant Stage Manager Christina M. Woolard.
Tickets start at $30. Learn more and purchase tickets at www.hartfordstage.org, by phone at 860-527-5151, or in person through the box office at 50 Church Street, Hartford, CT.
Opening night is March 14 and there will be post-show discussions on March 16, 25, and 26. There will be an open-captioned performance on March 23 and an audio-described performance on March 29.
Publisher’s Notes: CT Latino News is proud to partner with Hartford Stage in supporting the state’s arts and culture.