Syracuse Stage’s next production is “Espejos: Clean,” written by Christine Quintana and performed in both English and Spanish with respective supertitles simultaneously, running Feb. 15 to March 5. In cooperation with Hartford Stage, “Espejos: Clean” is directed by Syracuse Stage Associate Artistic Director Melissa Crespo both in Hartford, Connecticut and Syracuse, New York.
In “Espejos: Clean,” the lives of two women with vastly different life experiences intersect at a destination wedding at a high-end resort in Cancún, Mexico. Adriana has left her home in Chetumal, Mexico, and is working as the manager of the housekeeping staff at the resort. Sarah is from Vancouver and is the sister of the bride and self-acknowledged family screw-up. One evening during a torrential downpour, Adriana and Sarah’s worlds collide, leading them to confront their own storms and consider the possibility that they may not be as alone in the world as they initially believed. “Espejos: Clean” is an eye-opening story about the ties that bind us and making meaningful connections.
“Christine Quintana’s “Espejos: Clean” perfectly embodies the saying ‘We don’t see the world as it is, we see the world as we are.’ I am honored to lead this beautifully heartbreaking and at times hilarious story that pushes us to heal our own trauma and challenge our own assumptions,” says Crespo. “Christine says this play ‘is an exercise in compassion.’ I am excited to see audiences in Syracuse embrace this play, no matter where you come from.”
“Espejos: Clean” is written by Quintana with Spanish translation and adaptation by Paula Zelaya Cervantes. The play is directed by Crespo and features Kate Abbruzzese as Sarah and Emma Ramos as Adriana. The fully women-led design team includes scenic designer Mariana Sanchez, costume designer Lux Haac, lighting designer Colleen Doherty, sound designer Daniela Hart and UptownWorks, and projection designer Lisa Renkel. Laura-Jane Collins is stage manager. “Espejos: Clean” is a co-production with Hartford Stage.
“Managing Director Jill Anderson and I hope the good people of Central New York and beyond will join us for this beautifully-drawn theatrical experience that takes on cultural misconceptions and internal reckonings,” says Syracuse Stage Artistic Director Bob Hupp. “Under the insightful creative leadership of Melissa Crespo, we are proud to present a play told entirely in English and Spanish for the first time in the organization’s history. Whether English or Spanish, or another language entirely, is your first language, you will understand and appreciate the humanity of this expertly crafted play.”
“Espejos: Clean” runs Wednesday, Feb. 15 through Sunday, March 5. All evening performances begin at 7:30 p.m. and all matinee performances begin at 2 p.m. Tickets start at $30 with discounts available for students and groups. Tickets can be purchased by visiting SyracuseStage.org, by calling 315.443.3275, or by visiting the Syracuse Stage Box Office at 820 East Genesee St.
The M&T Bank Pay-What-You-Will performances are Feb. 15-19. Prologue conversations, three pre-show discussions that take place one-hour before curtain, take place Feb. 19, February 25 and March 2. The Post-show Sunday Discussion will take place on Feb. 26 after the 7:30 p.m. performance. Syracuse Stage has open-captioned performances scheduled for Feb. 22 at 2 p.m., March 4 at 7:30 p.m. and March 5 at 2 p.m., as well as an English-only audio-described performance on March 4 at 2 p.m.
Season support for Syracuse Stage is made possible by the Dorothy and Marshall M. Reisman Foundation, Advance Media New York and The Slutzker Family Foundation. “Espejos: Clean” is made possible by CNY Latino, Urban CNY and WAER Syracuse Public Radio. The community partner is the Syracuse University’a La Casita Cultural Center.
