Southern Methodist University mounted a student production of Vern G. Williamsen's ill-conceived translation of La Discreta Enamorada by 16th century Spanish playwright Lope de Vega, in the Greer Garson Theater. The setting was updated to 1950s Madrid. This is a review of portions of Act I -- the parts I saw when not hiding in the lobby to escape the excessive stench of on-stage smoking, at times by two characters at once who paced back and forth downstage.
What dialogue I tried to comprehend was drowned out by the ear-splitting music of the Orchestra of New Spain directed by Grover Wilkins. The play was directed by Spain-based Gustavo Tambascio, currently in residence at SMUs Division of Theater. The only bright spot were the elegant costumes inspired by Cristobal Balenciaga.
La Discreta Enamorada is a 17th-Century drama incorporating lots of dance and music. The plot tells of a woman's emancipation, including the requisite lust and feminine wiles. Attempts at rhyming dialogue often fell far short of the mark with such "rhymes" as favor/neighbor and vanity/flattery.
In summation: directing and choroegraphy: unimaginative; sets: adequate; acting and dancing: enthusiastic and energetic; Music: too loud; singing voices: very good; Costumes: fabulous. There may be a good story here, but my companion and I beat a hasty retreat at intermission to spare ourselves the two hours and forty-five minutes of loud music and smoke.
