The House of Bernarda Alba

By Fedenco Garcia

Directed by Erico Ortiz

The House of Bemarda Alba is Fedenco Garcia Lorca’s last play, written in 1936, the year he was killed at the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War. This play, along with Blood Wedding and Yerma, form a trilogy expressing what Lorca saw as the tragic life of Spanish women.

Upon her second husband’s death, domineering matriarch Bernarda Alba imposes an eight-year mourning period on her household in accordance with her family tradition. Bernarda has five daughters, aged 20 to 39, whom she has controlled inexorably and prohibited from any form of romantic relationship. The mourning period further isolates them and tension mounts within the household.

Bernarda’s eldest daughter, Angustias, has inherited a large sum of money from her father, Bernarda’s first husband, but Bernarda’s second husband has left only small sums to his four daughters. Angustias’ wealth attracts a young, attractive suitor from the village, Pepe el Romano. Her sisters are jealous, believing that it’s unfair that plain, sickly Angustias should receive both the majority of the inheritance and the freedom to marry and escape their suffocating home environment.

Youngest sister Adela, stricken with sudden spirit and jubilation after her father’s funeral, defies her mother’s orders, and later realizes all of her sisters are as interested in Pepe as she is. Her brief taste of youthful joy shatters when she discovers that Angustias will be marrying Pepe. La Poncia, Bernarda’s maid, advises Adela to bide her time. Distressed, Adela takes matters into her own hands. Sibling rivalry consumes the five daughters as they struggle with feelings of despair and doom, ultimately leading to the play’s tragic conclusion.

Produced by Village Playhouse at Inspiration Studios, 1500 S 73rd St, West Allis WI, 53214

Performances: April 6-22, 2018

Performance Times:
April 6th, 2018 7:30 PM
April 7th, 2018 7:30 PM
April 13th, 2018 7:30 PM
April , 14th, 2018 7:30 PM
April 15th, 2018 2:00 PM
April 20th, 2018 7:30 PM
April 21st, 2018 7:30 PM
April 22nd, 2018 2:00 PM

Ticket Prices: $15 for students/seniors, $17 for adults

Call 414-207-4879 for reservations or more information.

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