Latino Theater Company and San Francisco’s Magic Theatre present the L.A. premiere of The Travelers. Written by Luis Alfaro. Directed by Sean San José, based on original direction by Catherine Castellanos. Produced by Latino Theater Company in association with the Magic Theatre and Campo Santo.
Money is tight at the monastery and the Carthusian monks need to figure out a way to survive. In addition to this precarious scenario, the is a hint of rebellion among the monks against the direction of Brother Santo (Sean San José). To complicate things even more, a mysterious man (Juan Amador) is left injured at the doorsteps of the monastery. Now the monks have to tend to him and find out who he really is.
Reality and fantasy are turned into poetry in Luis Alfaro‘s play. His understanding of farm work and religion allows him to create three-dimensional characters that breathe and palpitate the textures of the life in the fields and the consecrated life in a religious order. The Brothers, the product of the fields, were abandoned at an early age by their parents, leaving them at the monastery to keep them away from the hardships of farming. For these kids, the Carthusian Order became a refuge, a home, a second chance in life. In exchange, they needed to offer themselves to God in silence and prayer, separated from the world. However, the austere environment makes the Brothers wonder what life would be beyond their secluded compound.
Even though there are no Carthusian monasteries in California—the only one in the US is in Vermont— the story is an allegory of the monastic experience through the eyes of farm workers from the Central Valley in California. The play shows the goals of the Order of the Carthusians: Intimacy with God through solitude, community, and the liturgy. But the story also shows the doubts the Brothers have about their devotion. Their insecurities, pain, and earthy temptations (they drink and cuss) lead them to achieve a transformation that will define their future and the fate of the monastery.
To turn the poetry of Alfaro’s text into a theatrical experience, Director Sean San José uses stunning visuals—scenery, lighting, background music, and video projections. All of these elements capture and elevate the soul of the story in an emotive fashion. The contemplative nature of the Carthusian way motivates the characters to find the truth deep inside their hearts. And it is that mysterious man, transformed as Brother Juan, the one that leads the way to find their true vocation with surprising results.
The Travelers is a moving play that connects the fruits of the fields with the Catholic faith and shapes them into a poetic vision that feels both ethereal and intensely human.
The Travelers
The Los Angeles Theatre Center
514 S. Spring Street
Los Angeles CA 90013
Performances: Sept. 23 – Oct. 15
• Thursdays at 8 p.m.: Oct. 5; Oct. 12
• Fridays at 8 p.m.: Oct. 6; Oct. 13
• Saturdays at 8 p.m.: Sept. 23 (opening night); Oct. 7; Oct. 14
• Sundays at 4 p.m.: Oct. 8; Oct. 15
Tickets: latinotheaterco.org
Written by Luis Alfaro. Directed by Sean San José, based on original direction by Catherine Castellanos. Starring Juan Amador, Daniel Duque–Estrada, Guillermo Yiyo Ornelas, Sean San José, Kinan Valdez, Ogie Zulueta. Produced by Latino Theater Company in association with the Magic Theatre and Campo Santo. Creative Team: Scenic designer Tanya Orellana; lighting designer gg Torres; sound designer Christopher Sauceda; video designer Joan Osato; costume designer Jojo Siu; and movement director Patricia Ong. The stage manager is Lauren Quan.
