A Little Something to Ease the Pain

“Alguna cosita que alivie el sufrir (A Little Something to Ease the Pain),” by René R. Alomá, will return to Miami for four performances only at Miami-Dade County Auditorium’s On.Stage Black Box. This Avante production successfully represented the United States at the 30th International Hispanic Theatre Festival of Miami.

Directed by Mario Ernesto Sánchez, the cast features Julio Rodríguez (Carlos “Pay” Rabel), Ana Viña (Doña Cacha), María Malgrat (Dilia), Edna Schwab (Clara), Alina Interián (Ana), Claudia Quesada (Amelia), Gerardo Riverón (Julio) and Mario Ernesto Sánchez (Nelson “Tatín” Rabel). Mike Porcel composed the original music, Pedro Balmaseda and Jorge Noa designed the set and costumes, and Ernesto Padilla designed the lighting. The production team includes Adriana Carbonell (assistant director/makeup and wigs), Beatriz J. Rizk (literary consultant), Ernesto Padilla (technical director/ lighting operator), Leiter Padilla (sound operator), Alina Interián (supertitles), Mariel Corona (supertitles operator), Gabriel Cutiño (video) and Asela Torres (photography).

Julio Rodriguez plays Pay, a grandson, son, brother, cousin, uncle and, above all, an exile, who comes home after 17 years seeking “a little something to ease the pain,” such as the carnaval that he so misses. Eager to heal wounds and recover what was lost, Pay finds that what to him is a situation of want, pain and tedium, for others is a dream waiting to come true. Because, whether here or there, exile – that bittersweet dish seasoned with the nostalgia of those who leave and the longing of those who stay – bears in its double nature achievements and renunciations, benefits and sacrifices, hope and resignation. And whenever someone in a family takes that path, all of its members, those who leave and those who stay, never stop seeking a little something to ease the pain.

Alguna cosita que alivie el sufrir will be performed in Spanish with English supertitles. Performances are Thursday through Saturday, February 4 – 6 at 8:30 p.m. and Sunday, February 7 at 5 p.m. The closing performance on Sunday will be celebrated with a cocktail reception at 4 p.m., thanks to Bacardi and Old Lisbon Restaurants. Miami-Dade Auditorium is located at 2901 W. Flagler Street. Tickets may be purchased at the Auditorium’s box office or by calling 305-547-5414. Discounts are available for senior citizens, students and the special needs community. Parking is free.

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