Destiny of Desire: Behind the Scenes in Bellarica

Go behind the scenes of Destiny of Desire with the cast! This brilliantly funny homage to telenovelas, filled with live music and dancing, runs May 19 - June 25, 2023 at The Old Globe. Info and tickets: www.theoldglob...
Destiny of Desire
A Telenovela for the Stage
By Karen Zacarías
Directed by Ruben Santiago-Hudson
The joys, tribulations, and plot twists of epic love are bursting onstage in this brilliantly funny homage to the telenovela by Karen Zacarías (Native Gardens). On a stormy night in Bellarica, Mexico, two babies are born-one into a life of outlandish wealth, and one into a life of poverty. When the newborns are swapped by a ruthless ex-beauty queen, the stage is set for two outrageous misfortunes to grow into an extraordinary destiny. Directed by Tony Award winner Ruben Santiago-Hudson (August Wilson’s Jitney) and filled with vibrant choreography and live music, Destiny of Desire explores the emotional rollercoaster and social commentary that make the telenovela the most popular form of storytelling on the planet.
Please note: this production is in English, with songs in both English and Spanish.
The cast for Destiny of Desire includes, in alphabetical order, Julio Agustín as Dr. Jorge Ramiro Mendoza, Yesenia Ayala as Pilar Esperanza Castillo, Carlos Gomez as Ernesto Del Rio, Mandy Gonzalez as Hortencia Del Rio, Ariella Kvashny as La Gente / u/s Pilar / u/s Victoria, Tito Livas as Dr. Diego Mendoza / u/s Ernesto, Bianca Marroquín as Fabiola Castillo, Tara Martinez as u/s Hortencia / u/s Fabiola / u/s Sister Sonia / u/s La Gente, James Olivas as Sebastián Jose Castillo, Christopher M. Ramirez as La Gente / u/s Sebastián / u/s Dr. Diego, Al Rodrigo as Armando Castillo, Emilia Suárez as Victoria Maria Del Rio, Nancy Ticotin as Sister Sonia, and Luis Villabon as u/s Armando / u/s Dr. Jorge / u/s La Gente. Plus musicians Ricky Gonzalez, Ella Bric, Christian Moraga, and Greg Armstrong.
In addition to Karen Zacarías and Ruben Santiago-Hudson, the creative team includes Lorna Ventura (Choreography), Ricky Gonzalez (Original Music, Music Supervision, Orchestrations, Arrangements, and Music Direction), Rachel Hauck (Scenic Design), Karen Perry (Costume Design), Jane Cox (Lighting Design), Robert Kaplowitz (Sound Design), Hana S. Kim (Projection Design), ARC (Casting), and James Latus (Production Stage Manager).
Musicians include Ricky Gonzalez (Conductor, Keyboard), Justin Gray (Assistant Music Direction), Ella Bric (Trumpet), Christian Moraga (Percussion), Greg Armstrong (Woodwinds), and Healy Henderson (Orchestra Contractor).