Irish Classical Theatre Cultural Classics Exchange Series

The Irish Classical Theatre Company is delighted to announce the debut of its Cultural Classics Exchange Series, a free reading Series of plays and lore, connecting WNY cultures through the lenses of the dramatic and language arts.

This Series will include Speaker-led discussions to foster understanding and inclusion of cultures throughout the region. For its first installment, ICTC will present, in collaboration with Raíces Theatre Company, Los Soles Truncos by René Marqués. The reading will be performed at The Belle Center on Monday, February 28th at 6pm. The event is free and open-to-the-public.

Los Soles Truncos or The Fanlights is a historical drama by Puerto Rican playwright René Marqués. Hortensia, Emilia and Inés are three sisters who have suffered not only the loss of their closest relatives but also their family heritage. They live poorly and locked up in the only house they have left, on Calle de Cristo, and fear losing their home. Tragedies abound with a rich text, whose hero and villain are time.

The reading, performed entirely in Spanish, is directed by Sheila M. López and features Victoria Pérez, María Pérez-Gómez, and Valentina Marulanda. Dr. Margarita Vargas will lead a moderated discussion after the performance.

“It fills us with pride to be able to share this Puerto Rican masterpiece with its classical Spanish that is music to our ears”, says Victoria Pérez, Artistic Director of Raíces Theatre Company. An English translation of the play, facilitated by Rolando Gómez, will be projected on a screen behind the actors for any non-Spanish speakers in attendance. “We couldn’t be more excited to partner with other theatre companies and cultural institutions in Buffalo on this series,” said Kate LoConti Alcocer, Executive Artistic Director of Irish Classical Theatre Company. “We are grateful to our sponsors for helping us create an experience of exploration, and to our partner organizations for sharing their talents and culture with us.”

The Series will continue with a performance on Sunday, May 8th at the African American Cultural Center, in partnership with Paul Robeson Theatre, and on Thursday, June 2nd at ICTC’s home at The Andrews Theatre, in partnership with ICTC Playwright-in-Residence Brian Delaney.

The event is free and open-to-the-public. For more information, visit www.irishclassical.com or contact the ICTC Box Office at (716) 853-4282, or email BoxOffice@irishclassical.com.