2022/2023 Season
Fandango for Butterflies
(and Coyotes)
En Garde Arts Production
August 30 – September 25, 2022 Mandell Weiss Forum
By Andrea Thome Original Music by Sinuhé Padilla
Directed by José Zayas
Fandangos are vibrant gatherings in which music and dance bring stories of a community to life. For a group of immigrants gathering in a community center on the eve of a city-wide ICE raid, this night’s fandango serves a vital purpose: to resurrect the culture they left behind. Inspired by interviews with immigrants from Latin America – many of whom made a dangerous journey to the United States – Fandango for Butterflies (and Coyotes) is a celebration of the resiliency and camaraderie that can be built as strangers become friends, friends become family, and the music plays on. This “rapturous” and “riveting“ new play is a “sensitive portrait of the in-between: characters balancing the small joys of everyday life with the fear of uncertainty” (The New York Times).
Descripción en Español
Production Sponsors
Fandango for Butterflies (and Coyotes) is performed in English and Spanish, with live supertitles making it fully accessible to speakers of both languages. For optimal view of the supertitles, we recommend purchasing seats in Rows A through E.
Join us after the show!
Audiences are invited to participate in an informal fandango celebration with cast members outside the theatre following each performance. Be sure to stop by and enjoy the festivities!
“Funny and heartfelt…This talented ensemble brings their joys, challenges, and sadness vibrantly to life through acting, singing, and dancing…” — BroadwayWorld
“Una reflexión de los sueños y temores de los migrantes” — LA Times En Español
“Vibrant, heart-pounding and moving songs and music… A deeper, more nuanced look at the immigrant experience…” — The San Diego Union-Tribune
“The characters are identifiable, likable and well played… Bravo to all.” — San Diego Stage and Screen
Throughout the week of September 27 – October 2, a series of free performances will be presented in partnership with local community centers and schools in Chula Vista, San Ysidro, Escondido, and City Heights, among others.
Tuesday, Sept 27 | Del Lago Academy Theater*
Wednesday, Sept 28 at 3:00 pm | Southwestern College Performing Arts Center
900 Otay Lakes Road | Chula Vista | 91910
Thursday, Sept 29 at 6:00pm | The FRONT Arte & Cultura
147 W San Ysidro Blvd.| San Diego | 92173
Friday, Sept 30 | El Camino HS*
Saturday, Oct. 1 at 6:30pm | City Heights Performance Annex
3795 Fairmount Ave | San Diego | 92105
Sunday, Oct. 2 at 2:00pm| Young Actor’s Theatre
9620 Campo Road | Spring Valley | 91977
*Closed performance
ACCESS Performance (Audio Description): Saturday, September 17 at 2:00 pm
ACCESS performances offer American Sign Language interpretation for patrons who are d/Deaf or hard-of-hearing and Audio Description for patrons who are blind or have low vision. Inquire with Patron Services for available ACCESS subscription series (858) 550-1010.
Masks will be required indoors for all performances of Fandango for Butterflies (and Coyotes). Proof of vaccination or negative Covid-19 PCR test results are not required. For up-to-date information regarding COVID-19 safety procedures, please visit our Covid Safety Page.
Complete ticket flexibility! Purchase tickets today and if for any reason you cannot attend on your performance date, call Patron Services to discuss options such as exchange, refunds, gift certificates.
La Jolla Playhouse’s on-site restaurant, James’ Place, is open for dinner service at 5:00pm nightly (Tuesday – Sunday). James’ Place offers full bar service and a selection of specialty Asian fusion, steak & coastal cuisine items, per the menu below. Reservations can be made by phone as well as OpenTable. Indoor and outdoor seating options are available. Please note, James’ Place is not open prior to matinee performances.
Concessions opens 90 minutes before showtime at the bar of James’ Place. Come early to relax outside and enjoy a selection of beer, wine, cocktails, sodas and individually wrapped snacks. All food and drinks must be consumed before entering the theatre.
Approximate run time: 95 minutes, no intermission
Cast & Creators
- Creators
- Cast
- Design
Andrea Thome
Playwright
is a Chilean/Costa Rican-American playwright. Her play PINKOLANDIA, received the Lark Play Development Center’s Launching New Plays fellowship and a rolling world premiere at INTAR, Austin’s Salvage Vanguard Theater, Two River Theater (NJ), and 16th Street Theater (Chicago). For the Public Theater, Thome created TROY with Public Works’ ACTivate Ensemble. Her plays include UNDONE (Queens College, Victory Gardens, Lark), WORM GIRL (Cherry Red Productions). Her play translations have been produced by the Public, CTG, La Jolla Playhouse and others. Thome co-directs FULANA, an all-Latina satire collective, and has directed the Lark’s Mexico-U.S. Playwright Exchange Program since 2006. She’s a 2017 resident with SPACE on Ryder Farm and Keen Company, and was a New Dramatists resident from 2009-2016.
Andrea Thome Playwright
Sinuhé Padilla
Music
is a Mexican musicologist, producer, composer, and artistic director. As founder of Jarana Records, he has released productions for Sonia de los Santos, Adela y Lupita, Calpulli Mexican Dance Company, Mireya Ramos, Shae Fiol, Veronica Valerio, Sonando Sur, Bilingual Birdies, and Jarana Beat. He has directed Jarana Beat, winner of Best Folk Contemporary Band at the Mexican Music Awards 2015 and has received recognition from NYC for his contribution to Latin culture. He served as music writer and producer for National Geographic, Mundo (Firmes), Storyhunter TV, and The United Nations. Sinuhé leads fandangos across the country.
Sinuhé Padilla Music
- Sinuhé PadillaOriginal Music, Spanish Song Lyrics, Music Direction, son jarocho choreography, & arrangements of traditional son jarocho songs
- Johnny MorenoScenic & Production Design
- Fabian Fidel AguilarCostume Design
- Alexandra BellerMovement Direction
- Lucrecia BricenoLighting Design
- Stacey BoggsLighting Design
- Marcelo AñezSound Design
- Carolina ArboledaProduction Stage Manager
- Alejandra MaldonadoAssistant Stage Manager
- David D'AgostinoProduction Manager, En Garde Arts
- Benjamin SeibertSenior Production Manager, La Jolla Playhouse
- Becca DuhaimeProduction Manager, La Jolla Playhouse
- Ryan MeisheidGeneral Manager, La Jolla Playhouse
- Eric Keen-LouieExecutive Producer, La Jolla Playhouse
- Amy AshtonAssociate Producer, La Jolla Playhouse
Gallery
Venue Info
Mandell Weiss Forum
The Mandell Weiss Forum is a 400-seat thrust stage theatre, with audience members surrounding the stage on three sides.
Mandell Weiss Forum
