Casting has been announced for the world premiere of Up-and-coming playwright Benjamin Benne’s new work Alma. Directed by Juliette Carrillo Alma opens March 6 at the Center Theatre Group’s Kirk Douglas Theatre in Los Angeles on March 13, 2022, produced in cooperation with American Blues Theater.
Cast members include Sabrina Fest as daughter Angel and Cheryl Umaña as mother Alma. Bianca Ruiz Brockl and Marilyn Camacho are set as understudies for Angel and Alma. The creative team for the world premiere includes Tanya Orellana (scenic design), Carolyn Mazuca (costume design), Lonnie Rafael Alcaraz (lighting design), Daniel Corral (sound design and original music), Edgar Landa (fight director). Casting is by Morales/O’con Casting and Miriam Mendoza is the production stage manager.
Carrillo is a recipient of The National Endowment of the Arts / Theatre Communications Group Directing Fellowship and the Princess Grace Award. She returns to Center Theatre Group where she previously directed Octavio Solis’ Lydia at the Mark Taper Forum and most recently the CTG Digital Stage production of Luis Alfaro’s Mojada. Benne is a David Geffen / Yale School of Drama M.F.A. Candidate in Playwriting and is the recipient of Portland Stage’s Clauder Competition Gold Prize (2020), Arizona Theatre Company’s National Latinx Playwriting Award (2019), Kennedy Center/KCACTF Latinx Playwriting Award (2019), and numeous other playwriting awards. Alma marks Benne’s Center Theatre Group debut.
The story revolves around Alma (Umaña) and her daughter, Angel (Fest), who have built a lifetime of wishes, one for each of Angel’s 17 years — health, love, carne asada every day and a spot at UC Davis. Now, on the eve of the SAT test, Alma comes home to discover her daughter is out drinking rather than studying her flashcards. As Alma goes into her parenting toolbox, drawing on guilt, nostalgia and an expertly wielded chancla (sandal), we learn that there is more than one person’s future at stake and the mother and daughter’s hopes and goals for each other may not be in as close alignment as they once were.
Tickets are available through CenterTheatreGroup.org, Audience Services at (213) 972-4400 or in person at the Center Theatre Group Box Offices (at the Ahmanson Theatre at The Music Center, 135 N. Grand Avenue in Downtown L.A. 90012 or at the Kirk Douglas Theatre at 9820 Washington Blvd. in Culver City 90232).
This production is made possible in part by the City of Culver City and its Cultural Affairs Commission, with support from Sony Pictures Entertainment and the Culver City Arts Foundation.