ASU theatre opens its season with first live English performance of Allende novel adaptation

By Abigail Wilt

The School of Music, Dance and Theatre at Arizona State University will begin its 2024-25 theatre season with the first live English performance of “Eva Luna,” a stage adaption by Caridad Svich of Isabel Allende's classic novel. The adaptation is intended for high school-aged and adult audiences. The play, set in Latin America in the 1940s through the 80s, follows a young girl as she journeys to find her voice as a storyteller.

“My mother Mary Louise was an orphan,” said director and ASU faculty member Micha Espinosa. “She was also, later in her life, a prolific writer. Eva Luna was an orphan and she also was able to not only survive and thrive, but triumph through the power of language and that has been my driving force as I am telling this story.”

While this show is not a musical, it has many music and dance elements. Choreographer and ASU alum and current PhD in Theatre and Performance of the Americas student Julia Chacón has incorporated traditional Latin American dance music and rhythms into the choreography as a way to enhance the storytelling and blur the lines between reality and imagination.

“I’m incorporating Latin American rhythms and styles into the choreography. It’s coming from a place of Latinidad because it’s a part of my heritage and who I am,” Chacón said. “As a flamenco artist, I drew on Carlo Saura’s production of ‘Carmen’ in the 1980s for the protest scene.”

Following the signature style of telenovelas with their emphasis on drama and emotion, “Eva Luna” doesn’t shy away from more serious themes.

“It’s like a burst of colors, and by that I mean that there are a lot of emotions in the show,” said Fredy Gonzalez (ASU BA Acting ‘24), who plays the role of Mimi. “There’s a lot of happiness and sadness, but the way we approach it with the singing and the dancing and the imagery is what makes it stand out.”

The scenic design, by current ASU BA in Design and Production student Gabe Mata, incorporates lunar-inspired themes like the framing of a moon over the stage and a large moon painting on the stage floor.

“I’m extremely excited to see the set,” said current ASU BA in Acting student Fletcher Whittington, who plays photojournalist Rolf Carle in the play. “All of the concept art is so impressive and exciting, and that moon is going to transform as a screen [so] when I use my camera and when I’m giving my interviews, it’s going to be up on that big moon.”

The cast and crew have been rehearsing and designing since the spring to bring this classic novel to life.

“There are a lot of really funny moments in the show, it’s more on the dramatic side, but definitely expect some laughs and chuckles,” said current ASU BA in Acting student Xavier Woods, who plays Huberto Naranjo. “It’s going to be a good time and I hope that everyone can enjoy it.”

“Eva Luna” will be playing in the ASU Galvin Playhouse Theatre from Sept. 27 to Oct. 6. Tickets are available online through the Herberger Institute Box Office. 

Jeika Gonzalez in the role of Eva Luna. Photography by Abigail Wilt.