Bless Me, Ultima

February 16-March 11, 2018

Written by Rudolfo Anaya

Directed by José Ruben Dé León

Bless Me, Ultima is a drama set in the 1940s, centered on the social-psychological maturation of a Mexican-American, or Chicano, six-year-old Antonio Márez, living on the eastern plains of New Mexico. Ultima is a curandera, or folk healer, who helps Antonio contend with the battle between good and evil that rages in his village. The Classic Theatre pays homage to Chicano literature pioneer, playwright and 2016 National Medal of Arts recipient Rudolfo Anaya with a fully staged version of his iconic breakthrough 1972 novel.

Bless Me, Ultima (Rudolfo Anaya) – The Classic Theatre rinde homenaje a Rudolfo Anaya (pionero de la literatura chicana, dramaturgo y ganador de la Medalla Nacional de las Artes 2016) con una versión completamente teatralizada de su icónica e innovadora novela de 1972. Anaya deja que la audiencia descubra qué pasa cuando lo que aprendemos y observamos va en contra de lo que en nuestra casa nos enseñaron a creer. El hogar toma muchas formas; ya sea una casa, un pueblo o los brazos de una curandera familiar. Ésta es la historia de un joven muchacho que aprende a entenderse y aceptarse mejor a sí mismo, pero también al confuso mundo a su alrededor: una lección de la cual todos podemos aprender.

 

Study Guide Program

Press

"Nothing less than the amazing acting can attribute to the emotional intensity of the drama that unfolded on a saturday night in San Antonio. A profound performance left the house in awe; thunderous applause erupted accompanied by a standing ovation for a theatrical execution one has to experience first hand to fully appreciate." -Patricio Calvo on La Prensa

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"Like the novel, the play is in English and Spanish and contains a few Spanish curse words. Because of De León’s superb directing, Spanish fluency is not necessary to enjoy a play whose universal themes of family, faith, mysticism, mortality and nature transcends language. It is refreshing to see an all Latin cast and crew bring ‘Bless Me, Última’ to the San Antonio stage where its diverse audience can appreciate its multiculturalism and indigenous traditions." - Sandra Cruz on SA Examiner

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"Andrew Treviño and Marisa Varela are perfectly cast as Antonio and Ultima, so convincing is the depth of their relationship. Luis Garcia, Jr., and Anna de Luna are also solid as Gabriel and Maria. Carlos Alvarado impresses as the elder Antonio, who serves as the narrator of the piece." - Kurt Gardner on CTX Live

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Photography by Siggi Ragnar

The Cast

Carlos Alvarado

Keli Rosa Cabunoc

Luis García, Jr.

Fred Rodríguez Garza

Alyx Irene González

Ricardo Guzman

Amanda Ireta-Goode

Anna de Luna

Ivan Ortega

Julio Alberto Sepulveda

Andrew Treviño

Marisa Varela

Bella L. Villarreal

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