Philosopher behind bars

Theater, Playreaders present The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail

Wednesday & Thursday, November 1 & 2, 7pm, St. Paul’s Church, Cardo 6

10 pesos

The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail is one of the most widely produced plays of our time. The authors, Lawrence and Lee, have won many prizes and awards, including multiple Tony awards. Their most well-known plays include Inherit the Wind, Auntie Mame, and Look, Ma, I’m Dancing, all of which have had worldwide performances.

In 1846, Henry David Thoreau—philosopher, poet and naturalist—refused to pay taxes to the United States government, which was engaged in the Mexican War. He condemned the war as unjust—a war never formally declared and begun without congressional authorization. For his courageous and unprecedented act of protest, he was thrown in jail. “The Night” begins with Thoreau in jail with his cellmate, Bailey, as he recollects scenes from his life with his mother and brother, Ralph Waldo Emerson and his wife, a student, the deacon, and his jailer.

Performers include John Wharton, Rudy Hornish, Henry Vermillion, Britt Zaist, Larry Gassler, Jonathan Taylor, Gerry Camp and Playreaders newcomers Claudia James and Megan Pearson. Dic Simandl executes lights and sound, and Kokila Byrne directs.

The doors open at 7pm, and the play begins at 7:30pm—or earlier if the house fills.

Transylvania Mon Amour

Transylvania Mon Amour (Spooky Is Cool) Saturday, October 28, 8pm, Sunday, October 29, 5pm Teatro Santa Ana, Reloj 50, 100 pesos

Comedy of the Universe, the most famous comedy troupe in San Miguel, strikes again with its seventh production, Transylvania Mon Amour (Spooky Is Cool). This show transcends language and is for the whole family. It is a celebration for the Day of the Dead and Halloween, and the group suggests that the audience come dressed in costume and make-up, freeing themselves to be monsters or any other creation they might imagine.