For Immediate Release

Onstage at Theatre Three: Trysts in Toledo

Theatre Three’s 2008-2009 Season continues with the Spanish Golden Age comedy, Trysts in Toledo by Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz, with a new English language version by Theatre Three’s Executive Producer-Director. Theatre Three’s forty-eighth season is a world tour of theater. Beginning with the comic mayhem of a garden festival at an English manor house, the season concludes with the harrowing drama of a South African courtroom. The shows between include a homegrown military drama, a romantic musical set in Florence, a witty Spanish Golden Age comedy, a modern French flirtatious farce, and a classic mystery set on the Nile River. Tryst in Toledo begins previews on Thursday, December 11, 2008 and will close on Sunday, January 18, 2009. Dona Ana is waiting up for her brother, Don Pedro, and she knows it is going to be a very long night for the entire household. She has agreed to help her brother with an extraordinary plan to capture the heart of Dona Leonor. Complicating this plan is Dona Leonor’s attempt to run away with her beloved Don Carlos, the young man to whom Dona Ana finds herself quite attracted. What Dona Ana doesn’t know is that her servant, Celia, has also hidden Don Juan, a nobleman who is completely devoted to Dona Ana, in the household. A night of romantic complications and mistaken identities result in some surprisingly happy couples. About The Playwrights: Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz & Jac Alder Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz (original playwright): One of Mexico's most remarkable women was a nun who lived in the 17th century. Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz was an outstanding writer and poet whose works were extremely controversial for their time. Considered to be Mexico's first feminist, Juana Ines de la Cruz was an extraordinary woman. Today her image graces the 200-peso note, a testimony to her achievements and place in history. Although Juana demonstrated unusual abilities from a young age, her beginnings wouldn't initially suggest great potential. Born in the year 1651 (with some reports advising 1648) to an unwed mother, Juana grew up in the shadow of the Popocatepetl volcano, to a poor but educated family during Mexico's colonial period. Juana was known to be an intellectually precocious child. It is widely documented that she knew how to read by three years of age. Her quest for learning was seemingly unquenchable. Legend advises that as a young girl, Juana sought out her Grandfather's library and read its entire 3,000 volumes. Juana's scholarly pursuits included the study of poetry and learning to speak Latin fluently. She reportedly mastered the language after receiving just 20 lessons. If being a child prodigy wasn't enough, Juana was also known for her amazing beauty. At a young age, Juana left home to live with her aunt in Mexico City. Her presence and abilities did not go unnoticed. She soon became a favorite at the Royal Court where she would impress visitors with her wit and scope of knowledge. Given her many gifts, both intellectual and physical, one might assume that Juana soon married. However, to the apparent surprise of many, Juana chose instead the monastic life. Some reports suggest a failed love affair may have led to Juana's decision. However, Juana, apparently when asked about her choice, replied that life in a convent was her only option, as the environment provided the necessary atmosphere in which she could continue her studies. Once safely ensconced in the walls of the convent, Juana fully immersed herself in the disciplines of theology, science, history, music and literature. In addition to her studies, Juana also corresponded with the leading poets and scholars of the day. Inspired, Juana began to write her own poetry. She proved to be no ordinary scribe, indeed her works proved to be both brilliant and highly controversial. Juana wrote several pieces that were revolutionary, especially for the time period in which she found herself in. Juana didn't limit her writings to topics related to religious matters. On the contrary, many of her works were love poems and plays of passion. This was quite unusual for a woman altogether but for a nun, her choice of subject matter aroused the wrath of many who were in power. As well, Juana was known to comment on matters theological, which in turn, incited those in authority to condemn her audacity. Women in Colonial Mexico were not culturally supported to express their own opinions. It wasn't long before her words and her personage incited an angry response. One of Juana's famous literary pieces entitled 'Hombres Necios' (Foolish Men) is a classic work. Within its scope it addresses the inherent rights of all women and the hypocrisy of those who judge others, namely in regards to prostitution. Juana sheds light on the matter by poising the question of who is more to blame, the one who commits the act for money or the one who pays for it. Another hallmark work of Juana's is a letter she wrote in response to a critique. This famous letter, 'Respuesta a Sor Filotea' (Response to Sister Filotea) was prompted by an angry letter she received where a supposed colleague criticized her secular leanings, admonished her to abandon her writings and commit herself solely to religion. In truth, the author was the Bishop of Puebla who disguised his true identity. This bishop was a supposed friend of Juana's and thus the betrayal was double. Not surprisingly, the reaction to Juana's letter from the church was not positive. They sought to humiliate her by publishing her letter and openly criticizing her position. Shortly thereafter, Juana did abandon her writings and retreated from public discourse. She died a few years later in 1695 after caring for nuns in her convent who were stricken with the plague. Today, Sor Juana continues to be studied and her prolific writings continue to inspire others as witnessed by the late Nobel Prize winner Octavio Paz' book on Sor Juana's life, Sor Juana Or, the Traps of Faith. Each year in Mexico a festival is held in her honor that is sponsored by the National Museum of Mexican Art. There is also a corresponding achievement award which celebrates women of Mexican descent who have made noteworthy accomplishments in the arts and cultural disciplines. --from MexOnline.com Jac Alder (english language version): Mr. Alder has served Theatre Three as an administrator, actor, designer, musician, director and writer since he (along with his late wife, Norma Young) co-founded the organization in 1961. Born and educated in Oklahoma, Alder earned his degree in Architecture and is responsible for Theatre Three’s unique auditorium design. He headed the theatre program at the University of Texas at Arlington during the 1970’s and early 1980’s in addition to his ongoing responsibilities at Theatre Three. He was an original founder of Dallas Arts Combine (now called Texas Arts Marketing), and on the original boards of the Dallas Arts Coalition and advisory board of the Arts Magnet High School. He has performed with Dallas’ Arts and Letters Live and assisted in the artistic formation of Young Audiences. He is currently on the statewide board for Texas Non-Profit Theatres. He has been honored by the Dallas Historical Society, the Dallas Theatre Critics Forum, and was inducted into the Southwest Theatre Hall of Fame. About Theatre Three: Theatre Three was founded in 1961 by Norma Young, Jac Alder, Esther Ragland, and Robert Dracup with a clear mission: Theatre Three seeks to illuminate the human experience with exemplary, intimate theatrical productions while nurturing authors, regional artists and audiences. About Theatre Three’s production of Trysts in Toledo: Jeffrey Schmidt will direct this production. The cast includes Aleisha Force as Celia, Josh Hepola as Hernando, Gregory Lush as Don Pedro, Lydia Mackay as Dona Ana, Thiago Martins as Don Carlos, Colleen O’Connor as Musician/Singer, Guinn Powell as Don Rodrigo, Michael Salimitari as Male Ensemble, Jeff Swearingen as Castano, Ginneh Thomas as Dona Leonor, Ashley Wood as Don Juan, and Natalie Young as Female Ensemble. Set design by Jeffrey Schmidt. Lighting design by Amanda West. Costume Design by Bruce R. Coleman. A Note about Production Photos: Photos from Trysts in Toledo may be found online in Theatre Three’s Press Room at http://www.theatre3dallas.com on December 1, 2008. The Official Openings: Official Opening Night is Monday, December 15, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. All press please R.S.V.P to Kimberly Richard at 214-871-3300, option #2 or kimberly@theatre3dallas.com. Performance Times: Preview Performances: Thursday, December 11 at 7:30 p.m., Friday, December 12 at 8:00 p.m., Saturday, December 13 at 8:00 p.m., and Sunday, December 14 at 2:30 p.m. Regular Performances: Thursdays & Sundays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays & Saturdays at 8:00 p.m., Saturday & Sunday matinees at 2:30 p.m. Holiday Break: There will be no performances of Trysts in Toledo from December 22 – December 31, 2008. Performances will resume January 1, 2009. Additional special performances: Miser’s Night Out: Sunday, January 11, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. All tickets $10 The Hooky Matinee: Wednesday, January 14, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. All tickets $10 Ticket Prices: Previews: $15 -- $40 (December 11 – December 15, 2008) Regular Run: $10 -- $40 (December 18, 2008 – January 18, 2009) Tickets may be purchased by calling Theatre Three’s box office at 214-871-3300, option #1. Tickets may be requested online at www.theatre3dallas.com

For Further Information Contact: By post: 2800 Routh Street, Suite 168, Dallas, Texas 75201 By phone: 214-871-3300 By fax: 214-871-3139 By email: admin@theatre3dallas.com By web: www.theatre3dallas.com