Perdida
A Mexican Folk Musical
perdida_Bandcamp

Book & Lyrics by Kathleen Cahill
Music by Deborah Wicks La Puma
Published by Dramatic Publishing.

Synopsis

Based on Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale, Perdida is set in pre-Revolutionary Mexico, when powerful Dons ruled like kings.  Shakespeare’s story of passion, jealousy and redemption is retold in the Latino style of magical realism, using classic musical forms of Mexico – Corridos, Sones, Canciones, Chilenas and Jarabes.  A Conjunto of musicians and actors tell the story of Perdida in music, words and dance.

History

 

Grand Theatre, UT

Perdida received a workshop in 1999 at TheatreWorks in Palo Alto, California under the direction of Alma Martinez.  From 2001-2002 it received staged readings at Signature Theatre in Arlington, Virginia and was showcased at the John F. Kennedy Center’s Page to Stage festival under the direction of Jose Carrasquillo.  In 2014 it premiered at Catholic University of America in Washington DC, directed by Elena Velasco.

LaPerdida_061
Inez Dominguez del Corral, Catholic University of America. Photo by Chris Maddaloni.

Musical Numbers

Act I

1. THE SONG OF PERDIDA – Conjunto
1. THE SONG OF PERDIDA – Conjunto

2. EVERY LOVELY GIRL – Leopoldo, Arturo & Conjunto

3. NEW LIFE – Gabriela & Arturo

4. A REASONABLE MAN – Leopoldo
4. A REASONABLE MAN – Leopoldo

5. MILAGRO – Conjunto & Gabriela

6. THE LIFE OF THE LOWLY – Gonzalo & Conjunto
6. THE LIFE OF THE LOWLY – Gonzalo & Conjunto

7. CONTENTA – Gabriela
7. CONTENTA – Gabriela

8. FINALE ACT I – All

Act II

9. WONDER OF THE WORLD – Conjunto, Rafael & Perdida
9. WONDER OF THE WORLD – Conjunto, Rafael & Perdida

10. LIFE OF THE LOWLY Reprise – Gonzalo & Conjunto

11. JOSÉ! – Arturo, Rafael & Conjunto
11. JOSÉ! – Arturo, Rafael & Conjunto

12. DANCING WITH THE DEAD – All
12. DANCING WITH THE DEAD – All

13. MAGIC INSIDE YOU – Perdida & Rafael
13. MAGIC INSIDE YOU – Perdida & Rafael

14. SONG OF PERDIDA (Rep) – Conjunto

15. ESCUCHA – Carlota

16. CONTENTA (Rep) – All

17. FINALE ACT II – All

 

Dillon Greenburg, Catholic University of America. Photo by Chris Maddaloni

Audio demo features the voice talents of Esperanza America (Time)Diana Burbano (Carlotta)Alexis Carra (Gabriela),  Scott Graff (Don Arturo), Derek Manson (Don Leopoldo), Elia Saldana (Perdida), Andrew Ross Wynn (Gonzalo), and Nicolas Womack (Rafael).

Production Elements

LaPerdida_045
Seth Rosenke, Kira Burri and Bobby Gallagher, Catholic University of America. Photo by Chris Maddaloni.

Cast: 4 women, 4 men, and the Conjunto of on-stage musicians and dancers

Female
DONA GABRIELA – wife to Leopoldo (Alto)
CARLOTTA – the Dona’s servant (Alto)
PERDIDA – Leopoldo and Gabriela’s lost child (Mezzo with Belt)
THE SPIRIT OF TIME – the story’s narrative balladeer (Alto)

Male
DON LEOPOLDO – (Baritone)
DON ARTURO – childhood friend of Leopoldo (Baritone)
GONZALO – Leopoldo’s servant (Tenor)
RAFAEL – Don Arturo’s son (Lyric Baritone)

LaPerdida_012
Ciaran Farley, Catholic University of America. Photo by Chris Maddaloni.

Music:  Classic Mexican Folk forms – Corridos, Sones, Canciones, Chilenas and Jarabes.  The Conjunto of musician/singers are part of the narrative action: Guitars (traditional and vihuela), Guitarron, Trumpet, Violin, Percussion (marimba, ocarina, tambores, shakers) and optional Harp.
Musical Difficulty: Moderate
Technical Requirements: Minimal
Suggested Audience:  Adults

Authors

DEBORAH WICKS LA PUMA (music) – see her bio page

Purchase

Buy the script from Dramatic Publishing.

Grand Theatre, UT

For perusal materals and full audio demo contact us via the contact page.

Vocal Work Out! CD

Scroll to Top