Photos by Trent Stephenson
Libro De Los Sueños Olvidados
(Book of Forgotten Dreams)
Written and Directed by Matthew Posey
Produced by Ochre House Theater
In collaboration with the 2025 Dallas Flamenco Festival
Audience Rating: PG
Running Time: 1 hour with no intermission
Accessible Seating: Available
Hearing Devices: Not Available
Sensory Friendly Showing: Not Available
ASL Performance: Not Available
Sound Level: Comfortable Sound Level
Audio and Visuals to Prepare For: Tapping of Flamenco shoes
Reviewed by Natalie Shaw
Ochre House Theater, if you've never been, is nestled inside an eclectic, quaint space near Deep Elum in Dallas. It's important to note that this is not your typical theater experience; one with familiar quotes or catchy, recognizable tunes. It's the art of Theatre to its core, with expressionism, culture, comedic absurdity and often immersive opportunities. For those of us who are hungry for something different, something surprising, something new, it's exactly what you've been craving. Ochre House produces only original works, most often with their in-house, resident playwrights. You're unlikely to see the same scripts return for another season, so if you miss it, you likely won't get another chance.
Libro De Los Sueños Olvidados (Book of Forgotten Dreams,) is a bilingual story of King Aragon (played by Antonio Arrebola) and Queen Trianna (Delilah Buitron Arrebola,) the "Moon King and Queen," who sing (cante) and dance (baile) to welcome the solar eclipse. Ritual meets tradition in this creative masterpiece. Matriarch Madre Cuervo (portrayed and sung by the beautiful Chayito Champion) leads her family through song alongside Guitarrista Calvin Hazen's on the Flamenco guitar. If you watch closely, you'll see that Hazen masterfully watches the feet of Antonio Arrebola and Delilah Buitron Arrebola carefully, taking his cues from their movements, at times patiently waiting while the two dancers channel their energy and ethos through their bodies and down to their feet. Antonio Arrebola and Delilah Buitron Arrebola's fiery opening dance sets the passionate tone and theme: Love Conquers All.
Like many ritualistic ceremonies, the welcoming of the solar eclipse involves and utilizes a unique book, "The Book of Forgotten Dreams," in this case. But, the two chaos twins, Pollux (Omar Padilla) and Castor (Rudy Lopez) in charge of bringing the book to the ceremony have misplaced it! It is nowhere to be found! These two yahoos are too busy screwing around and drooling over the gorgeous sisters who have gathered to sing and dance in a circle all night and day to welcome the eclipse. Two of the sisters have joined the family in the household as part of the tradition, Electra (Lauren Massey) and Maia (Quinn Coffman.) But, to the disappointment of Pollux and Castor, they are the "uglier" of the sisters, with gangly limbs, googly eyes, mismatched clothes, strange bonnets and a serious lack of manners or respect for personal space. Although awkward, they are resourceful, and have a sneaky plan, by way of a magical spell, to end their ugliness and win over the hearts of Pollux and Castor, that is until their plan has unexpected consequences that may not be undone until the next eclipse!
Incredible scenery is designed by Justin Locklear, boasting a thrust stage creatively built for the Flamenco footwork, with beautiful scenic art by Robert Weiss onstage and around the theater space. Intrinsic props by Carla Parker pull in thoughtful details of the overall aesthetic and humor. Costumes designed by Ryan Matthieu Smith are a bold black and fiery red between our king and queen of passion and muted undertones for supporting characters, with pops of color for the "ugly" sisters' costume change, signifying their total transformation.
The zest of Flamenco unites with fantasy and folklore in this over-the-top comedy for a night of fantastic entertainment and immersive performance art. With performances on weekdays and weekends, you have nine more opportunities to catch this one-hour production. Tickets can be found at ochrehousetheater.org Libro De Los Sueños Olvidados (Book of Forgotten Dreams) continues through November 13.
Enjoy the Show!
Natalie
Top-Bottom, Flamenco Dancers, Antonio Arrebola and Delilah Buitron Arrebola as King Aragon and Queen Trianna
L-R, Quinn Coffman as Maia and Lauren Massey as Electra
L-R, Omar Padilla as Pollux and Rudy Lopez as Castor
Comments
Post a Comment