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Destiny of Desire

Full-Length Play, Dramatic Comedy  /  5w, 5m

An Unapologetic Telenovela in Two Acts
By Karen Zacarías

The joys, tribulations, and plot twists of epic love are bursting onstage in this brilliantly funny homage to the telenovela by Karen Zacarías, author of Native Gardens.

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Destiny of Desire

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  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    5w, 5m
  • Duration
    Duration
    More than 120 minutes (2 hours)
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Adult

Details

Summary
The joys, tribulations, and plot twists of epic love are bursting onstage in this brilliantly funny homage to the telenovela by Karen Zacarías, author of Native Gardens. On a stormy night in Bellarica, Mexico, two babies are born – one into a life of outlandish wealth, and one into a life of poverty. When the newborns are swapped by a ruthless ex-beauty queen, the stage is set for two outrageous misfortunes to grow into one extraordinary destiny. Brimming with energy and music, Destiny of Desire explores the emotional rollercoaster and social commentary that make the telenovela the most popular form of storytelling on the planet.
History
Destiny of Desire made its world premiere on 11 September 2015 at Arena Stage in Washington, D.C. The production was directed by José Luis Valenzuela.
Cast Attributes
Keywords
Performing Groups

HORTENCIA DEL RIO – (age 35-45) A beautiful, promising yet poor mother who due to circumstances becomes a maid to the richest woman in town.
ERNESTO DEL RIO – (age 35-45) Her hardworking poor husband who has scars on his face.
VICTORIA MARIA DEL RIO/NURSE 1 – (age 18) Their beautiful yet sickly daughter.
ARMANDO CASTILLO – (Age 50-70) Owner of The Castillo Casino. The most powerful and richest man in town.
FABIOLA CASTILLO – (age 38) The beauty queen wife of Armando Castillo.
PILAR ESPERANZA CASTILLO/NURSE 2 – (age 18) Their beautiful daughter.
SEBASTIÁN JOSE CASTILLO/PARAMEDIC 1/ COP 1 – (age 37) ARMANDO’s estranged son from a former marriage.
DOCTOR JORGE RAMIRO MENDOZA/CASINO DEALER/COP – (Age 45-60) The head of the hospital.
DR. DIEGO MENDOZA/PARAMEDIC 2/COP 2 – (Age 30-35) His kind and handsome estranged son, also a doctor.
SISTER SONIA – (Age 50-60) A nurse who is a nun.

Author's Note on Casting
First choice: An all-Latino cast
Second choice: A very diverse cast

  • Setting An abandoned theatre in a small town.
  • Duration More than 120 minutes (2 hours)

Media

“A terrifically entertaining theatrical roller-coaster. A zany, funny delight!” – Los Angeles Times

“Simply fabulous and riotously funny… highly entertaining... A clever and heartfelt telenovela within a telenovela.” – Chicago Tribune

“Whirlwind comedy and loving parody of telenovelas, punctuates its onslaught of visual and verbal gags with sobering statistics that both contextualize and contrast the play’s over-the-top tone.” – New City Stage

Licensing & Materials

  • Minimum Fee: £55 per performance plus VAT when applicable.

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Authors

Karen Zacarías

Karen Zacarías

Karen Zacarías was recently hailed by American Theater Magazine as one of the ten most-produced playwrights in the US. Her award-winning plays include The Copper Children, Destiny of Desire, Native Gardens, The Book Club Play, Legacy of Light, Mariela in the Desert, The Sins ...

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