Golden Tongues

Book excerpt: A first-of-its-kind anthology that explores adaptations of 17th-century Hispanic comedia within contemporary Los Angeles theater. Performed outdoors for audiences of all classes and genders, comedias questioned orthodox ideologies and power systems of the 17th-century Hispanic world: 400 years later, these stories are still being used to call for change, but within modern-day America. Golden Tongues: Adapting Hispanic Classical Theater in Los Angeles explores how adaptations of source texts by authors such as Lope de Vega, Calderón, and María de Zayas harness their energy and themes. Touching on key modern issues like the intersection of power and sexuality, gentrification, and Black identities, this anthology bridges the gap between the classical and the contemporary. Featuring seven plays, each with an introduction that situates the adaptation in relation to its source and contextualizes its performance, this play collection both highlights the longevity of Hispanic classic theater and celebrates the diversity of modern day performance.