A three character full-length play by Begonya Plaza.
Starring: Shawn Elliott, Linda Larkin, and Begonya. The Off-Broadway run premiered at the prestigious Cherry Lane Theatre in New York City, March 4 through April 1st, 2012. Will Pomerantz directed, and it was produced by Jack Sharkey and Jim Weiner.
Publisher is, Broadway Play Publishing, Inc.
Synopsis: En route for Avila, Spain, Carlotta and her New York magazine publisher, Becky, make a stop-over in Barcelona to visit Carlotta's estranged husband, Andrés, a temperamental, macho artist who is unable to express the affection and support that Carlotta is yearning for. After their conflicted attempts to reconcile, through witty sparing and re-established irreconcilable differences, the two women continue on for Avila, where Carlotta is to write her article on mysticism of Saint Teresa of Jesus. In the midst of divine intervention, the feminie spirit and the truth of their reality, both women realize their passionate love for each other. Upon their return to Barcelona to pick up their suitcases, Andrés finds that now is too late for his changed heart.
One set, at the home of Andrés in Barcelona.
Under the direction of Angelina Fiordelisi
Featuring Music by Albert Carbonell
“Beware of having unintended spiritual epiphanies. Begonya Plaza’s new play, TERESA’S ECSTASY, is about the unexpected influence of Saint Teresa of Avila, a 16th-century Carmelite nun, on modern-day Carlotta, a Spanish writer… The well-written, touching and often funny drama…”
Jennifer Farrar, Associated Press
“…TERESA’S ECSTASY, a sumptuous three-person comic drama about sex, love and spirituality…”
Erasmo Guerra, New York Daily News
Avila Productions LLC presents By Special Arrangement with The Cherry Lane Theatre, under the artistic direction of Angelina Fiordelisi.
Agent: Lawrence Harbison - [email protected]
Publisher: Broadway Play Publishing, Inc. Tel: 212-772-8334 www.broadwayplaypubl.com
Cherry Lane Theatre in New York City. March 4 - April 1, 2012 photograph by Teresa Plaza
"Free spirits, are always ready to attack their fundamental beliefs and assumptions, to question their very identity freeing themselves from the prejudices of others." Nietzsche
Photographs by Anya Garrett and Teresa Plaza - 2012
Linda Larkin, Jack Sharkey, and Begonya Plaza
Albert Carbonell & Jim Weiner
REVIEWS:
Barry Gifford, Begonya Plaza & Willem Dafoe
Darmia, Donna Murphy, Begonya, Robert Rose, Shawn Elliott, Linda Larkin, & Yul Vazquez
David Grossman, Ashley Fellman, Xanthe Elbrick, Begonya Plaza & Jack Sharkey
LINKS to other reviews & feature stories:
CAT RADIO CAFE interview with Begonya and Albert March 12, 2012
THE JEWISH WEEK - TERESA'S ECSTASY
T&B ON THE AISLE A THEATRE DIARY
ZACKCALHOON PEOPLE YOU SHOULD KNOW
ADAM SZYMKOWICZ INTERVIEW WITH PLAYWRIGHTS
ZACKCALHOON INTERVIEWS SHAWN ELLIOTT
A letter from our Executive Director:
"There's a little miracle about to be worked March 4th through April 1st at New York City's historic, magnificently renovated Cherry Lane Theatre in the form of a world premiere comedy/drama entitled TERESA'S ECSTASY, penned by and co-starring Begonya Plaza. She sharing the stage with Shawn Elliott and Linda Larkin, the esteemed Will Pomerantz at our directorial helm.
TERESA'S ECSTASY stands among some twenty theatrical endeavors I've been honored to help make possible since donning my "angel wings" in late middle-age, that once-pastime quickly evolved into a most gratifying second career, one which you've enthusiastically and graciously supported in recent years by means of your attendance and/or prayers and well-wishes.
This project bodes my most ambitious commitment to date, a beautiful, bold creation whose journey I've been proud to walk from developmental infancy to full fruition.
Beyond your valued presence as audiencemembers, I'm privileged to extend an invitation to join me as full participants in this worthy venture.
Kindly visit TERESA'S ECSTASY, there meeting our phenomenal cast and creative team, there likewise linking to our IndieGoGo wherein you may make a tax-deductible contribution, qualifying you as a full-fledged member of "Team Ecstasy," perks included, the ultimate benefits of which you'll realize, deeply so, in mind and heart when the curtain rises on a much-anticipated four-week run, your role as benefactor as vitally essential as the those played out on stage.
Additionally, please search "Avila Productions" and "like" our Facebook fanpage entitling you to updates and behind-the-scenes information as we progress.
With heartfelt wishes, I thank you in advance while welcoming you to the magic which is TERESA'S ECSTASY."
Most warmly...
Jack.
Video by Ryan Garrison and Taji Ameen - 2012
TERESA'S ECSTASY is a play that explores a mystical journey of change and defiance as opposing sexually charged forces look at love, politics and religion. The setting is Barcelona, where boundaries of culture, race and language dissolve as tolerance awakens within this provocative USA/Iberian triangle.
"Shawn: “Teresa’s Ecstasy” stands as probing a psychological treatment as it is thoroughly engaging entertainment. In the reading experience one bonded instantaneously with each of the characters, actually projecting far forward envisioning a full production featuring “these very actors, please God.” The lead question the play poses for me is “When a man loves a woman unreservedly, how much of himself is he willing to sacrifice to ensure her happiness to the detriment of his own?” What touched me throughout was the consistently limitless depth to which Andres worships Carlotta and the absolute extremes he’ll employ in an effort to win her back despite, in truth, never having lost her… not really. I look forward to Teresa’s Ecstasy’s eventual fully-staged realization, one in which the visual artistic imagery can only beautifully complement the magnificence of the words we heard so vividly brought to life by means of your exceptional, and generous talents. Peace, Jack" Jack Sharkey - theater producer and our first generous supporter.
SCULPTURE- Bernini is praised for his synthesis of sculpture, painting, and architecture. The church was extended so that a hidden window could be added to cast light upon the sculpture, as if from the Holy Spirit. Cherubs painted on the entrance arch bear a banner inscribed with the words Jesus spoke in one of Teresa's visions: "If I had not created heaven, I would create it for you alone."
ANGEL - "He was not tall, but short, and very beautiful," related Teresa of her vision, "his face so aflame that he appeared to be one of the highest types of angel who seem to be all afire."
SWOON - Bernini brings all the passion and rapture of Teresa's story to represent, perhaps for the first time, the now-immortalized image of a swoon: head thrown back, eyelids half-closed, mouth slightly open as she moans in ecstasy.
GARMENTS - Teresa is covered in monastic habit, yet through Bernini's genius, the heavy garments reveal rather than conceal Teresa's internal state.
FOOT - Her dangling bare foot is emblematic of the Disclaced ("Shoeless") Carmelites, the reformed religious order Teresa founded (from Matthew 10:10, "no sack for the journey, or a second tunic, or sandals, or walking stick").
CLOUDS - In translating Teresa's mystical vision into stone, Bernini first captured Teresa's reports of levitation by having her borne on a bank of marble clouds. (The clouds are hollow, to decrease the weight of the wall-mounted sculpture.)
You may also contact me directly with inquiries regarding: "Teresa's Ecstasy" E-mailing me at: [email protected]