Department of Theatre Presents: Marisol

Ash Micheel

The Department of Theatre in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences opens José Rivera's contemporary classic play Marisol at 7:30 p.m. tonight, Friday, Nov. 19, in the Nadine Baum Studio Theatre. The production runs through Dec. 5, and all performances are free and open to the public, but tickets are required and can be reserved online.

Winner of the 1993 Obie Award for Best New Play, the play is as timely today as ever, as it charts a young woman's (Marisol) journey through an apocalyptic world reeling from upheaval and revolt. "It's astonishing how necessary and immediate this plays feels right now, as we watch Marisol navigate through the disintegration and destruction of her community trying to find her place in this surreal new world," said assistant professor of playwriting John Walch.

The play, by Puerto Rican born playwright José Rivera, is well known and often produced theatrical work that has been praised for its blending the bizarre with the beautiful, and employs magical realism, poetry, absurdist humor and epic clashes between the heavens and the humans.

M.F.A. actor Ana Miramontes Loya, who plays the title role, said, "Taking on Marisol while living in this 'new normal' has allowed me to explore how we keep fighting to keep the light inside of us in the darkest times, how new ideas are here to improve the old ways and how there is always hope after chaos."

Graduate M.F.A. director Huan Bui leads the cast and agrees, saying Marisol "never loses hope. Her desire to live, love, connect and remain compassionate do not allow her to give up on surviving or on life's possibilities."

Bui notes a particular line from the play: "Everyone is looking for something. I'm looking for something too." He invites audiences to join Marisol and the rest of the cast in this epic search for meaning and hope.

The production will take place in the Nadine Baum Studio Theatre (505 W. Spring St.), and to maintain updated COVID-19 safety protocols, the performers will be not be masked, but masks will be required for all audience members.

Ticket reservations can be made online at uark.universitytickets.com.

Step by Step Instructions:

• Go to uarkartstickets.com
• Click Category "Theatre"
• Click "Get Tickets" on the show on the date you plan to attend
• Claim your tickets
• Login/Register to check out. 
• A confirmation email will be sent with your tickets (we can scan from your phone) or you may pick them up at Will Call in the theatre lobby. 

For more information, visit the Department of Theatre online or email theatre@uark.edu for assistance.