News Summary
Jobsite Theater in Tampa Bay will present a new adaptation of Federico Garcia Lorca’s play ‘The Butterfly’s Evil Spell’ from May 9 to June 1, 2024. The production promises an innovative blend of live music, puppetry, and aerial arts in a captivating performance highlighting themes of love and beauty. Preview performances are scheduled for May 7 and 8 at Shimberg Playhouse. Tickets start at $42, available online.
Tampa, Florida – Jobsite Theater in Tampa Bay is set to present a new adaptation of Federico Garcia Lorca’s first play, “The Butterfly’s Evil Spell” (“El Maleficio de la Mariposa”). The performances will run from May 9 through June 1, 2024, with preview performances scheduled for May 7 and 8 at 7:30 p.m. The show will take place at the Shimberg Playhouse located within the Straz Center for the Performing Arts, situated at 1010 N. W.C. MacInnes Place in Tampa.
The standard performance schedule is Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m., with matinee shows on Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets for the production start at $42, and can be purchased online at the Straz Center’s official website.
This adaptation uniquely blends live music, visual art, puppetry, theater magic, and aerial arts to create a captivating theatrical experience. The play narrates a mystical world inhabited by beetles and fireflies, which is disrupted by a hypnotic butterfly. Central themes of the story include love, beauty, and desire, reflecting Lorca’s innovative symbolist comedy framework that draws inspiration from the works of Yeats and Maeterlinck.
The cast is composed of six talented actors: William Alejandro Barba, Kathryn Huettel, Katrina Stevenson, Nicholas Perez-Hoop, Jessy Julianna, and Melía Lorenz. The production team features key members including on-stage accompanist and composer Jeremy Douglass, choreographer Alexander Jones, and director David Jenkins. The ensemble has worked collaboratively on the production, encouraging creative contributions from all members throughout the rehearsal process, ensuring a rich and multifaceted performance.
The puppetry design is particularly notable, featuring a collection of folk-art inspired insect puppets that have been crafted by Spencer Meyers. Additionally, Katrina Stevenson has contributed to the costume design for the production, further enhancing the visual storytelling. The scenic design, conceptualized by Chris Giuffre, along with whimsical lighting by Jo Averill-Snell, adds to the enchanting aesthetic of the performance, enticing the audience into the fantastical realm of the play.
The total runtime of “The Butterfly’s Evil Spell” is approximately 75 minutes, and there will be no intermission during the performance. This adaptation aims to not only honor Lorca’s original themes but also to create a fresh and engaging experience for both new and returning audiences. As anticipation builds for this innovative theatrical event, guests can look forward to an exploration of creativity and artistry, reflective of Lorca’s visionary work.
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Additional Resources
- TBN Weekly Article
- Wikipedia: Federico García Lorca
- TBN Weekly Events
- Google Search: The Butterfly’s Evil Spell
- Encyclopedia Britannica: The Butterfly’s Evil Spell
