Texas Border Business
Poet Laureate from Laredo, TX Raquel Valle-Sentíes wrote the full length play Path of Marigolds in 2005.
“I chose Marilyn Monroe as one of the characters because she was my idol when I was a teen and forever more. Frida Kahlo and Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, who also appear in the story, I admired, obviously, for different reasons and the rest is history.”
Dalia Bouchée from Pharr is directing the play which is set in Laredo, TX on the eve of día de muertos in the 1980’s.
“This story is about resilience and finding oneself, it’s about Ariana and her best friend Consuelo. Ariana seeks the help of her heroes to make a life changing decision, including three amazing ghosts, who each represent a certain aspect of her life, and that is how I’m trying to portray it on the stage.”
The two-act play centers around two adult women, friends since grade school, when they meet for dinner at Ariana’s home that is decorated with an altar and marigold flowers in honor of the deceased. That evening Ariana summons the spirits of Marilyn Monroe, Frida Kahlo and Sor Juana Ines De la Cruz. Together with laughter and debate they discuss strong and failed relationships, culture and a hidden secret.
The cast consists of five women from the RGV who attended auditions for the roles in early August, they’ve been in rehearsals since. Long-time actress Deisy Sanjuán plays the role of Ariana.
“Ariana is a woman who started off following her heart at the end of her high school years instead of her passion. As she grew into an adult she realized something was not right, especially in her most treasured relationship. This is when she refocuses on her passion in interior design. In preparing for the challenging role, I work at discovering and portraying Ariana’s array of emotions. I’m enjoying the process.”
Other cast members include Traisy Flores as Consuelo, Liz Muñoz as Sor Juan Ines De La Cruz, Sylvia Escobar as Frida Kahlo and Erika Garza as Marilyn Monroe.
“Marilyn is very different than I thought she would be, I really didn’t know a lot about her until I read our play. I could see how she was very different than the characters she played in movies. In my preparation I had to see some documentaries and movies to understand the character and try to see how she moves, how she talks, how she laughs.”
Liz Muñoz who has been in nearly a dozen plays with PCT plays the role of 17th century nun, Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz. Her preparation for the part aside from method acting also contains technicalities.
“What I usually do is read from the script in front of a mirror, that’s what I think works for me. And to help me learn my lines, I’ve gotten into the habit of reading my scenes from beginning to end and then reading them backwards. It helps free me up to really be engaging, not just waiting for my cue. It helps me relax and be more in the role and not so much in my head.”
“PCT prides itself in being a training ground for actors and technicians,” said long time theater director and producer, Pedro Garcia.
“When working with an actor, either a first timer or more advanced, we like to see how they intuitively approach a role and what they bring to it, how they perceive it first…which lots of times works just fine. Then, if need be, we offer adjustments, guidance, direction and training. I tell actors… the tools you will acquire here at PCT will help you when developing other parts you may play.”
Damian Wight is the Production Stage Manager and Assistant Director; Sergio Luna is Graphics Designer; María Flores Gandará is an Understudy and Costume Design Assistant, Robert Flores is Set Designer, Santos Reyna is Lighting Designer and Cecilio Muñoz is Production Assistant.
SHOWTIMES AND TICKETS:
Path of Marigolds will have 7 performances. The first 5 shows will be held at the Pharr Community Theater at 213 W Newcombe Ave. Pharr (seats up to 55 persons) with showtimes for this venue, October 2-6, Wednesday-Saturday at 7:30 pm Sunday at 3:00 pm. The show then tours on Thursday, October 10 at 7:30 pm to the DRC Center in S Pharr at 850 W Dicker Rd. (seats up to 160 persons) The final show will be on Friday, October 18 at the Pharr One Center at 7:30 pm at 1121 E Nolana Loop, Pharr (seats 160 persons)
Advance tickets are encouraged and can be purchased for $8 at www.pharrcommunitytheater.com. Tickets will only be available at the door upon availability. Path of Marigolds is told in English and is rated equivalent to a PG-13 movie.
For more details please visit the Pharr Community Theater FB page, instagram, website or text 956-532-3383 or 956-655-9308.
