Thursday, June 11, 2009

Strangers


Half a dozen of us got to watch an earlier performance of “Strangers Extranjeras” performed by Looking for Lilith, a theater company that moved a couple of years ago from New York City to Louisville. The play revolves around the friendship of a young Presbyterian woman who comes to Guatemala for a year and the Guatemalan indigenous woman who is her host. It is based largely on the experiences of the playwrights and several other people who served in Guatemala as Presbyterian Young Adult Volunteers. Wednesday night we got the opportunity to hear the stories and ask questions of several of these people. In an innovative stage among the seats setting, the moving play portrays Guatemalan daily, gives some historical background about Guatemala, and grapples with issues of inter-cultural friendship, engagement and abandonment, and happiness and sadness. At times funny and other times sad, the play incorporates some Spanish and features two actors, including a University of Louisville student.

The play deals head on with issues important to our partnership, and the playwrights credited our own Ellen and Carlos for their support and guidance, apparently while all of them were in Guatemala and more recently.

Folks in Louisville have seven more opportunities to have a simple Guatemalan meal and see this wonderful play: supper at 6:30 p.m. and play at 7:30 p.m., this Thursday, June 11; Friday, June 12; and Saturday, June 13; and next Thursday, June 18; Friday, June 19; and Saturday, June 20. There will also be a 2:00 p.m. matinee on Saturday, June 20. Tickets are $15, $10 for students and seniors. Supper and performances are at the Rudyard Kipling, at 422 West Oak Street, between 4th and 5th streets.

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