In the summer of 2002, Chita went to Los Angeles to play the title role
in Mark Taper Forum’s production of Federico Garcia Lorca's classic drama, The House of Bernarda Alba, in a new adaptation by Chay Yew.
As Bernarda Alba, Chita played a woman so concerned with social appearances that upon returning home from her husband's funeral, she calmly announces to her five adult daughters that they will now enter the traditional eight year period of mourning, during which they will be confined to the house. She is not grief-stricken; she is simply determined to maintain social appearances above all else. By taking this path, Bernarda calculatedly forces her daughters to give up any chance at love or happiness in favor of duty and appearances.
The forced seclusion is hardest for twenty-year-old Adela to accept. Bernarda's older daughters have, to varying degrees, already internalized Bernarda's teachings that they are ugly and will only be married for their money, so they feel they have little to lose. Adela still believes she is beautiful and capable of being loved.
Poncia, a servant who has worked for Bernarda for thirty years and attempts to warn her mistress of the trouble brewing in her house. The character, winningly played in this production by Camille Saviola, provides great comic relief as she challenges Bernarda to face reality, and as she tells the girls about her tumultuous relationship with her late husband.
In keeping with the original Spanish script, which is highly poetic, the Taper Forum production was heavy with symbolism. The set by Rachel was bare white stone courtyard, surrounded on three sides by areas of bright red stones. Lisa Peterson's direction inserted stylized moments emphasizing the regimented lifes of Bernarda and her daughter in traditional Spain. Non-traditional casting -- the daughters were a virtual United Nations of ethnicities -- emphasize the universal oppression of women. The production reminded audiences of the repression of women in Afghanistan under the Taliban.
The House of Bernarda Alba played at the Mark Taper Forum from July 14 until September 1, 2002.
Credits:
Center Theatre Group/Music Center of Los Angeles County, Mark Taper Forum; Gordon Davidson, Artistic Director; Charles Dillingham, Managing Director; Robert Egan, Producing Director presents The House of Bernarda Alba by Federico Garcia Lorca, in a new adaptation by Chay Yew, Directed by Lissa Peterson. Set Design by Rachel Hauck; Costume Design by Joyce Kim Lee; Lighting Design by Christopher Akerlind; Original Music and Sound Design by Mark Bennett; Hair and Wig Design by Carol F. Doran; Casting by Amy Lieberman, CSA; Production Stage Manager Mary K Klinger; Stage Manager Robin Veith.
Cast:
Chita Rivera - Bernarda Alba
Tsai Chin - Maria Josefa
Shaheen Vaaz - Blanca
Camille Saviola - Poncia
Christine Avila - Beggar Woman
Adrianne Avey - Girl
Sandra Oh - Adela
Lydia Look - Amelia
Rita Wolf - Martirio
Eileen Galindo - Magdalena
Marissa Chibas - Angustias
Jeanne Sakata - Prudencia
Christine Avila, Aixa Clemente, Jeanne Sakata, Karen Huie, Adrianne Avey, Carla Jimenez, Anita Dashiell - Village Women
Annas Allaf - Guitar and Oud
Biography 
