NYC PREMIERE OF RENÉ MARQUÉS’
LOS SOLES TRUNCOS
René Marqués‘ seminal work, Los Soles Truncos, stands as a cornerstone of Puerto Rican classical theater. Written in 1958, the play is set against the historical backdrop of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, exploring themes of love, jealousy, the passage of time, and the cultural and political upheavals following the American invasion of Puerto Rico. Through the lens of the Burkhart sisters, Marqués masterfully weaves a story of personal tragedy and societal change, capturing the essence of a nation in transition.
Los Soles Truncos (“Truncated Suns”) will have its NYC premiere on February 21, 2025, by one of my favorite theatres in Manhattan, Repertorio Español, under the direction of José Zayas, who has over 100 credits under his belt, including the marvelous En el Tiempo de las Mariposas, still playing in rep at Repertorio Español. Starring celebrated actresses Zulema Clares, Wanda Arriaga, and Mónica Steuer, the play is a moving exploration of cultural identity, resilience, and the universal struggles of family and belonging. Performed in Spanish with easy-to-read English subtitles, the play offers a powerful theater experience that delves into the complexities of Puerto Rican life while addressing themes that resonate across cultures.
The narrative follows three orphaned sisters—Hortensia, Emilia, and Inés—once members of Puerto Rico’s elite. Born into an aristocratic family with European and criollo roots, their father owned a prosperous sugar hacienda. However, a series of misfortunes, culminating in the U.S. invasion, strips the sisters of their wealth, social status, and livelihood. Flashbacks reveal three pivotal traumas that define their downfall: a failed romance between Hortensia and a Spanish lieutenant, the U.S. occupation of the island, and the confiscation of their hacienda by the U.S. government to settle debts.
The present finds Emilia and Inés living in their crumbling house on Cristo Street in Old San Juan, the last vestige of their once-opulent lives. Hortensia, who locked herself away after her failed romance, has recently died of breast cancer, leaving her sisters to fend off debt collectors and foreign investors seeking to buy their home and turn it into a hotel. The house itself becomes a powerful symbol of their fading legacy, encapsulating their pain, victimization, and resistance to change.
Los Soles Truncos
Repertorio Español
138 East 27th St (between Lexington and Third)
for tickets, call 212.225.9999 or visit Repertorio
Performances:
Thursday, February 20 at 7 (preview)
Friday, February 21 at 7 (opening)
Saturday, February 22 at 8
Sunday, February 23 at 3
Friday, February 28 at 7
Saturday, March 1 at 8
Sunday, March 2 at 3
Friday, March 7 at 7
Saturday, March 8 at 8
Sunday, March 9 at 3
Saturday, April 12 at 8
Sunday, April 13 at 3
Friday, April 25 at 7
Sunday, May 4 at 3
Saturday, May 10 at 8
