Play hopes to captivate congregation

The drama department is set to perform its last play for the semester at the Knox Center presenting an uplifting play set just in time for the holiday season.

"Virgin de Guadalupe," written and directed by drama department Chairperson Clay David, will run Nov. 30 through Dec. 3.

The play has undergone some changes for this year's run. Though there are minor changes in the plot, such as the age of the main character and the opening scene, the dialogue has undergone the biggest change.

"As a writer, he (David) continues to make changes to the script and, in an effort to make sure it reaches a bigger audience, you make changes," co-director Kathy McCarty said.

Unlike last year's performance, which was spoken entirely in Spanish, the play will now feature both Spanish and English dialogue.

Cast member Joshua Saephan said the lines will be read in Spanish first, then repeated in English.

Last year's production was met with a good turnout and praise and many in the cast hope this year's turnout will be bigger, especially now that the play is in both English and Spanish.

"People who don't know this particular story will be entertained," McCarty said. "This is an excellent show for this community and it is a part of the tradition of the community."

The play is centered on a little girl who does not know of the story of the Virgin de Guadalupe.

After a wedding, she decides to sit and pray in the church. As she prays, one of the statues, Saint Juan Diego, comes to life and he introduces the little girl to the other saint statues that come to life in the church.

The saint takes her on a journey and teaches her the origins of the Virgin de Guadalupe and the history of Mexico, from the Aztec and Toltec civilizations to the Spanish conquests, and the Virgin de Guadalupe's significant role through it all.

At the end of the journey, the little girl is taken back to the church and must bid farewell to the saints as they turn back into statues and tell her that they will be watching over her.  

"The feeling of the show will bring out the Christmas spirit," Saephan said.

Francis Perez, cast member, said the play is currently taking auditions and casting but many of last year's performers are set to reprise their roles.