RED BANK, NJ— Two River Theater, under the leadership of Artistic Director John Dias and Managing Director Michael Hurst, continues its season with The Women of Padilla , a new play by Tony Meneses, directed by Ken Rus Schmoll. Performances will begin in Two River’s Rechnitz Theater, 21 Bridge Avenue, on Saturday, April 8 and continue through Sunday, April 30. The opening night performance is Friday, April 14 at 8pm. Tickets are available from 732.345.1400 or tworivertheater.org. The lead production sponsor of The Women of Padilla is Springpoint Senior Living Foundation. Inside Two River: Operation Homefront is funded in part by the New Jersey Council for the Humanities. Nosotros is funded in part by The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey and Bank of America Charitable Foundation.
The Women of Padilla tells the story of eight women married to eight brothers, all of whom are away fighting an unnamed war that seems as if it has been going on for years and will continue for many more. While each waits for news of her husband’s fate, they carry on and cook and laugh and weep and fight. Inspired by the heightened lyricism of playwright and poet Federico García Lorca, this new play shows there is always a way—even through the hardest of times—to set our love free.
The Women of Padilla features Karina Arroyave as Blanca, the one on the outside; Helen Cespedes as Lucha, the one with poetry; Jacqueline Correa as Mari, the one who quietly leads; Daniella De Jesús as Fidela, the one who’s taciturn; Paloma Guzmán as Alejandra, the one who’s expecting; Keren Lugo as Marta, the one with faith; Elizabeth Ramos as Cristina, the one who’s young; and Jeanine Serralles as Carmen, the one who drinks.
Tony Meneses was born in Guadalajara, Mexico, and raised in Albuquerque and Dallas. His play Guadalupe in the Guest Room had its world premiere at Two River Theater in 2015 and is now published by Dramatists Play Service.
Ken Rus Schmoll previously directed Madeleine George’s Seven Homeless Mammoths Wander New England at Two River Theater. He is a two-time Obie Award-winning director, primarily of new plays and operas.
The creative team for The Women of Padilla includes scenic designer Arnulfo Maldonado, costume designer Oana Botez, lighting designer Yuki Nakase, and sound designer Jane Shaw. The puppet designer is James Ortiz, the puppet director is Will Gallacher, and the casting is by Heidi Griffiths & Kate Murray. The production stage manager is Alison Hassman.
For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit Two River Theater’s website.
