The Cuban Cultural Center of New York continues its week-long celebration of Lorca’s momentous visit to Cuba in 1930 with an all-out promotional support of ID Studio Theater‘s and Teatro Columna‘s production of Yerma, a dramatic reading of one of Lorca’s most iconic plays, under the direction of Leyma López, with special editing by Tané Martínez and original score by Raphael Brunn.
Described by the playwright as “a tragic poem,” the achingly powerful play tells the story of a childless woman living in rural Spain. Her desperate desire for motherhood becomes an obsession that eventually drives her to commit a horrific crime.
Leyma López was born in San José de las Lajas in Havana. 
In 2009 she received her degree in Acting and Arts from the Instituto Superior de La Habana. López is presently Resident Director of Repertorio Español. She was the recipient of the Van Lier Award for Young Directors in 2012. At Repertorio Español she has directed: Por Gusto (For Pleasure), El Loco por Fuerza (Insane by Force), Hierba mala nunca muere (Weeds Won’t Die), Aire Frío (Cool Air), La Fiaca, Valor, agravio y mujer (Courage, Betrayal, and a Woman Scorned), La Celestina, Filomena Marturano: Marriage Caribbean Style, and a series of readings highlighting the works of
17th century women playwrights. She has received various nominations and awards
from ATI, ACE and HOLA.
HISTORICAL NOTE:
Written in 1934, Yerma was first
performed in the Teatro Español,
Madrid, on December 29, 1934,
starring the legendary Spanish
actress Margarita Xirgu,
pictured left (dressed in the title role)
with the playwright.
This theatrical presentation is organized and produced by
ID Studio Theater and Teatro Columna
And is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, and made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.
With the promotional collaboration of
