MAIN STAGE SERIES: Classical Plays
presents
By Lope de Vega;
a free version by José Luis Alonso de Santos
Directed by Daniel Alonso De Santos
September 18 – October 4, 2026
At Teatro Círculo
64 East 4th Street, NYC
OUR STAFF
José Cheo Oliveras,
Founding Artistic Director
Virginia Louloudes,
Development Director
Edna Lee Figueroa,
Marketing Director / Social Media Manager
Eva Vásquez,
Co-Founder & Educational Program Director
Jean Desravines,
Financial Manager
Verónica Caicedo,
Facilities Manager
Caridad del Valle,
‘Abuelito, dime tú’ Program Coordinator /
Resident Stage Manager
Kousheki Katha,
Box Office Manager
Cinzia Meneghello,
Web Designer / Web Master
Dean M. Zayas,
Associate Artistic Director, Emeritus
Mariano de Paco Serrano,
Associate Artistic Director
Daniel Alonso de Santos,
Associate Artistic Director
Pablo Zinger,
Musical Director
Israel Franco-Müller,
Resident Production Designer
Manuel Gómez Crespo,
Technical Production Director
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Fernando Travesí, Chair
Executive Director, International Center for Transitional Justice
Eva Vásquez, Co- Vice Chair
Founding member-Teatro Círculo, Associate Professor at York College, Playwright, Actress
Diana Chery-Ramírez, Co-Vice Chair
Playwright, Director, Actress, Professor
Barbara Matos, Treasurer
Founder & CEO – Socorro Strategies
Paul Marín, Secretary
Founder and CEO, PM Public Relations
José Cheo Oliveras
Founding Artistic Director, Teatro Círculo
Rubie M. Alicea
Immigration Attorney – Pollack, Pollack, Isaac & DeCicco, LLP
MANY THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS...
National Endowment for the Arts
New York State Governor Kathy Hochul
The State of New York
New York State Council on the Arts, with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature
New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council
Mayor’s Office of Media & Entertainment
New York City Council Members Harvey Epstein – District 2, Amanda Farías – District 18, Tiffany Cabán – District 22,
Sandy Nurse – District 37, Kayla Santosuosso – District 47
U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand
Daniel S. Goldman, U.S. House of Representatives
Small Business Administration
The Tow Foundation
Howard Gilman Foundation
New York Community Trust
The National Latinx
Theater Initiative
The Shubert Foundation
The Emma A. Sheafer Charitable Trust
Miranda Family Fund
The Hispanic Federation
Jeffrey & Paula Gural
The Mid-Atlantic Arts, through
USArtists International
Lily Auchincloss Foundation
The Kaplen Brothers Fund
The Cory & Bob Donnalley Charitable Foundation
The Michael Tuch Foundation
The Frederic Coudert Foundation
The Lucille Lortel Foundation
Blanche & Irving Laurie Foundation
Con Edison
Bank of America
NYC Women’s Fund for Media,
Music and Theater
Mosaic Fund
The Tow Charitable Foundation
The Mosaic Network and Fund
For more information on how to make a tax-deductible donation visit:
Peribáñez y el Comendador de Ocaña is made possible in part, by the generous support of:
The Howard Gilman Foundation, New York State, New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, New York State Council on the Arts, The Shubert Foundation, Lucille Lortel Foundation, Miranda Family Foundation, The Frederic Coudert Foundation and The Mosaic Network and Fund.
For more information about touring productions contact us at
(845) 662-7742 or at [email protected]
Our rehearsal space and theaters are available for rent at very affordable rates.
Contact us at (347) 967-4765 / [email protected] or visit:
MAIN STAGE SERIES: Classical Plays
presents
by Lope de Vega
A free version by José Luis Alonso de Santos
September 18- October 4, 2026
At Teatro Círculo
A story where dignity doesn’t yield to power.
Performed in Spanish Verse with Overtitles in English
Running time: Approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. No intermission.
CAST
Israel Franco- Müller (Peribáñez)
Puerto Rico
Before entering the production design field, Israel makes his debut in the theater sphere in the year 2000 as an actor. His professional career starts in 2003 by pursuing a BA in Arts majoring in Theater at the Faculty of Education in the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus. During this period, he performed in many plays, some are: ‘The Taming of the Shrew’ by William Shakespeare, ‘Nuestra Natacha’ by Alejandro Casona, ‘La Orestiada’ by Esquilo, ‘Divinas palabras’ by Don Ramón del Valle Inclán”, and ‘La villana de Vallecas’ by Tirso de Molina. Being a member of the Teatro Rodante, he starred in “El Lazarillo Musical” by José Luis Ramos Escobar. Alongside and aside the University of Puerto Rico’s Teatro Rodante, he participated in various international festivals.
Production Manager and Set, Lighting & Costume Designer. International theatre designer whose works have been seen in: Castillo de Peñíscola, Alcalá and Almagro’s Classical Theater Festivals in Spain, Quintanilla del Agua and Teatro Real Coliseo de Carlos III in Spain, Edinburgh’s Fringe Festival in Scotland, Cuba, Mexico, among other countries. Awards: Outstanding Costume Design- ‘Fuente Ovejuna’ (Teatro Círculo, ATI 2023), Outstanding Production Designer- ‘El caballero de Olmedo’ (Teatro Círculo, HOLA 2018), Best Set and Costume Design- ‘El burlador de Sevilla’ (Teatro Círculo, ATI 2019).
Franco-Müller holds a Ph.D. in Theater Design and Technical Production from the Complutense University of Madrid and is a Professor at the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus, Drama Department. Member of the Academia de las Artes Escénicas de España, and of the Asociación Internacional de Teatro Siglo XXI, and is the Colectivo Watts: Luminiscencia del arte Artistic Director.
Instagram: @ifrancomuller
Fermín Suárez (Comendador)
Dominican Republic
He is an accomplished actor, director, and filmmaker whose career spans theater, film, television, and video production in both the Dominican Republic and the United States. After building an extensive career in his homeland, he moved to New York, where he quickly established himself as a prominent figure in Hispanic theater. His stage credits include acclaimed performances with Repertorio Español (‘In the Time of the Butterflies’ – HOLA Award, ACE Award, ATI nomination;), Teatro Círculo (‘Miguel Will’ – ACE Award; ‘The Downfall of Rafael Trujillo’ – ATI Award), Teatro Retablo (‘Defensa de Dama’ – HOLA & ACE Awards), and Thalia Spanish Theatre (‘La del Soto del Parral’ – ACE Award), among many others.
Beyond the stage, Suárez has appeared in film and television productions such as ‘La Grande’, ‘Nuevayol’, FOX’s America’s Most Wanted, and the TV series ‘El Don’, in addition to numerous appearances across various networks. His voice-over work includes Spanish dubbing for HBO, MTV, and DIGIVIEW. As a filmmaker, he directed ‘La Pulpería’ and ‘Camino Real’, two short films based on stories by Juan Bosch. He is currently completing his feature film ‘Los Borrachos’, adapted from Franklin Domínguez’s celebrated play. Suárez also teaches video production, video editing/animation, and acting for BronxNet, a public television network in New York City.
Instagram: @fermin_actor
María Fontanals (Casilda)
Spain
She is an award-winning actress based in New York and a faculty member and member of the Artistic Council at HB Studio. She has performed leading roles with renowned Off-Broadway companies including Teatro Círculo, Repertorio Español, IATI Theater, Theater for the New City, and Dixon Place. Her recent credits include ‘El espacio entremedias’, ‘La monja alférez’, ‘Fuenteovejuna’, ‘Radojka’, ‘La vida es sueño’ and ‘La casa de Bernarda Alba’. Her work has been recognized with HOLA, Latin ACE, and FUERZAFest Awards, including an ATI Award for Best Classical Theater Actress for ‘La monja alférez’. Maria is a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association and the Academy of Performing Arts of Spain.
José Cheo Oliveras (Leandro)
Puerto Rico
Holds a BA in Theatre and Public Communications from the University of Puerto Rico and ABD at CUNY Graduate Center where he studied Spanish and Luso‐Brazilian Literatures. He has worked as an actor and director at most of the established Latino theatre companies in New York City including Repertorio Español, Puerto Rican Traveling Theatre and Thalia Spanish Theatre, among others. Cheo has received multiple ACE, HOLA, LATA, and ATI awards for his work as an actor and director and several awards from BORIMIX and “Comité Noviembre” for his contribution to the Latino Arts in NYC.
Instagram: @cheoliveras
Fernando Gazzaniga (Luján)
Argentina
Actor who has developed his career in many countries of Latin America beyond his own. He has participated in several theater productions, and more than 10 well-known TV series in Argentina, Colombia, and Peru, where he has also performed as a TV Host. Fernando studied Dramatic Arts in Argentina and continued his training at HB Studio in New York City. He has performed in more than 30 television advertisements and as a model has been the face of several important commercial and fashion brands. His most recent theater performances in the US, include ‘La monja alférez’ ‘El espacio entremedias’, ‘Fuente Ovejuna’, ‘La dama boba’, ‘Life is a Dream’, ‘Entremeses de Cervantes’, ‘The Playboy of Seville’ and ‘Don’t Leave Me Behind’ for which he received two ATI Awards. He has also starred in the movies ‘Las tetas caídas’ and his film ‘Lo entenderá’.
www.fergazzaniga.com
Instagram: @fergazzaniga
Eva Cristina Vásquez (Inés)
Puerto Rico
Holds a PH.D. in Theatre from CUNY’s Graduate Center. She is a professor of Spanish and Puerto Rican Studies at York College, CUNY. Eva is the author of ‘Pregones Teatre: A Theatre for Social Change in The South Bronx’ (2003) and ‘Círculo de Plata: Antología de estrenos mundiales de Teatro Círculo’ (2021). Her plays include: ‘Amor perdido’ (2003), ‘Lágrimas negras’ (2007), ‘Carmen Loisaida’ (2011), ‘Torniquete’ (2018), and ‘Intermedio en el fin del mundo’ (2021). Eva is a founding and board member of Teatro Círculo. Since 2023, she is also part of the editorial board of ‘EntreTmas: Revista Digital’, where she curates the theater section and writes educational study guides.
Luis Rivera Figueroa (Bartolo, Painter)
Puerto Rico
He is an actor from Carolina, Puerto Rico, excited and deeply grateful to be working again with Teatro Círculo. Regional credits include ‘The Glass Menagerie’ (The Hanover Theatre) and ‘A Christmas Carol’ (Trinity Rep).
Other theater credits include ‘El alcalde de Zalamea’ (Teatro Círculo), ‘Burned’ (Pregones/PRTT), ‘The Seagull’ (Teatro Público), ‘Angels in America’ (Teatro Público), ‘Venus in Fur’ (Aqueo), ‘The Grönholm Method’ (Histeria Colectiva), ‘Speak Not – Romeo and Juliet’ (Black Box Theatre Workshop), and ‘Agua por todas partes’ (OPM).
Film and TV credits include ‘72 Hours’ (Netflix), ‘Nicky Jam: El Ganador’ (Netflix), ‘Fantasy Island’ (FOX), ‘Onomatopeia’ (dir. Benjamin Cardona), and ‘23 horas’ (dir. Bruno Irizarry).
Luis holds a BA from the University of Puerto Rico and an MFA from Brown University (Brown/Trinity Rep), where his credits include ‘Our Hood’ (John Leguizamo — staged reading and workshop at The Guthrie Theater), ‘Everybody’ (Brown/Trinity Rep), and ‘Pericles’ (Brown/Trinity Rep).
Gracias, mami y papi. Sin ustedes no estaría aquí. Los amo.
Instagram: @luisriverafigueroa
Gabriel Leyva (Priest)
Puerto Rico
He was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico. In 2013 he graduated with a BA in Theater, Acting Major from the University of Puerto Rico. While living in Puerto Rico he was a cast member of the Puerto Rico Traveling Company, directed by Dean Zayas and other companies where he played Don Quixote and classics including the celebrated play “Cruel World” by Luis Negrón. In 2019 he graduated with an MA in Fine Arts in Acting from USC School of Dramatic Arts. In 2020 was a cast member in a Noise Within Theater’s ‘Alice in Wonderland’’ production, and a cast member in Amazon Prime’s ‘Origen of Juanes’. In 2021 he played the role of David in the feature film ‘Receta no incluída’’ where he premiered in the acclaimed, South by Southwest Film Festival and won Best Ensemble at the Huelva Film Festival 2022. Was a cast member in a Sky Light Theater Company production and Playwrights Arena, ‘Apartment Living’ by Boni Alvarez. Played Nando in the short film ‘Melao’ screening at Hollywood Shorts and Tomás in the short film ‘Mara has Three Jobs in San Juan PR’ part of the Tribeca Film Festival 2023. Summer of 2025 was a cast member of ‘Fuente Ovejuna’ at Repertorio Español. And a cast member of ‘The Wedding March’ at the PRTT 2026. He is part of the cast of the film ‘Extranjera’, currently in theaters. This is his first time working with Teatro Círculo and Gabriel is excited and grateful to be part of ‘Peribáñez y el Comendador de Ocaña’.
www.gabrielleyva.com
Instagram: @gaboleyva
CREATIVE TEAM AND CREW
Félix Lope de Vega y Carpio (Playwright)
Spain
25 November 1562 – 27 August 1635
One of the most important writers in the history of Spanish literature, was a rogue and a womanizer, a loving father and a devout priest, an inquisitor and a poet. Applauded and admired in his time –in which they called him the Fénix de los ingenios (Phoenix of Wits)— he wrote more than a thousand works, lived to the age of 73, and took part in a memorable quarrel with Miguel de Cervantes, who is, nevertheless, responsible for one of Lope’s best known nicknames today, Monstruo de la naturaleza (Freak of Nature). Playwright, poet, and novelist who was a key figure in the Spanish Golden Age (1492–1659) of Baroque literature.
Lope de Vega renewed the literary life of Spanish theatre when it became mass culture, and with the playwrights Pedro Calderón de la Barca and Tirso de Molina defined the characteristics of Spanish Baroque theatre with great insight into the human condition. The literary production of Lope de Vega includes 3,000 sonnets, three novels, four novellas, nine epic poems, and approximately 500 stage plays.
Lope was the playwright who established in Spanish drama the three-act comedia as the definitive form, ignoring the precepts of the prevailing school of his contemporaries. In ‘Arte nuevo de hacer comedias en este tiempo’ (1609), which was his artistic manifesto and the justification of his style which broke the neoclassical three unities of place, time and action, he showed that he knew the established rules of poetry but refused to follow them on the grounds that the “vulgar” Spaniard cared nothing about them: “Let us then speak to him in the language of fools, since it is he who pays us” are famous lines from his manifesto.
José Luis Alonso de Santos (Playwright of this Version)
Spain
He is a playwright, stage director and scriptwriter. His plays have been published in Spain and abroad. He’s been Director of the Royal School of Dramatic Arts in Madrid (Chair of Dramatic Writing) and Director of the National Classical Theatre Company. He’s author of more than fifty plays, all a popular and critical success. He’s made new versions of the classics, written screenplays, TV series, children’s fiction and novels. In 2014 he was designated as the first president of the Academy of Dramatic Arts in Spain.
José Luis Alonso de Santos is one of the most outstanding playwrights in the Spanish contemporary theatre. The academic chair Andrés Amorós expressed it like this: “The unanimity of Spanish theatre critics think of Alonso de Santos as the first and most important of the authors emerged after Franco regime”. He is the most original and important alive author that has determined recent Spanish theatre history.
Alonso de Santos has received an extraordinary number of decorations. So far, among the awards and homages taking place each year, they stand out: the Sitges Film Festival Award, the Tirso de Molina Award, the National Theatre Prize and the MAX Theatre Award.
Daniel Alonso de Santos (Director)
Spain
Theater director with a degree in Psychology from the Autonomous University of Madrid. He has worked in television, film, and multiple theater projects as a playwright, director, and actor in New York, London, Washington D.C, Budapest, and throughout Spain.
His language and stage style are formed from his work in the Compañía Nacional de Teatro Clásico de España (National Classical Theater Company of Spain), as well as from the hand of his teachers J.L. Alonso de Santos and Mariano de Paco.
Daniel wants to thank Teatro Círculo.
Instagram: @soydanialonso
Karmele Aranburu (Verse Director)
Spain
Actress specialized in classical verse. She combines her acting work with directing verse in shows and teaching. She has directed La Academia del Verso de Alcalá and currently directs Aula de Verso K in Madrid. She has been Verse Director in more than thirty shows.
Since 2020, she has been working with Teatro Círculo in its productions of classical texts as well as teaching in workshops on the interpretation of the Spanish verse. She is a professor at the Academia de las Artes Escénicas de España (Academy of Performing Arts of Spain).
www.marcogadei.com/karmelearanburu/
Instagram: @karmelearanburu @auladeverso
Israel Franco-Müller (Production Designer, Set, Lighting and Costume Designer & Set Painting)
Puerto Rico
See Biography Above
Caridad del Valle (Assistant Director/Stage Manager)
Puerto Rico
Has a B.A. in Dramatic Arts from the University of Puerto Rico. Her work as an artist includes acting, writing, production and stage management with theater companies like Teatro Círculo, Repertorio Español and Boundless Theatre Company. Among the numerous plays in which she has participated are ‘La casa de Bernarda Alba’, ‘Virtuous Burglar’, ‘Yo no soy Lupita’ and ‘Primavera ya no hay más’ (of her authorship-staged at Teatro Círculo). She has participated in important international festivals in countries such as Spain, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic and the United States. She has also received various recognitions and prestigious awards for her work as an actor and stage manager, from institutions like HOLA, ACE, ATI, LATA & ARTE. Between 2005 and 2006 she worked on Puerto Rican television on the programs ‘Un día antes’ and ‘De mujeres’. In the cinema, she has worked as an actor and producer; among her film projects are: ‘It is’, ‘Silent Dinner’, ‘Ping’ and ‘Who Cares About What?’ In 2018, she founded her company Few Pennies Theatricals. With the intention of exploring new artistic horizons.
Instagram: @carodelvalle
Sound Design & Videos: Daniel Alonso de Santos
Sound and Lights Operator: Caridad del Valle
Overtitles Operator: Stephanie Cuervo
Production Intern: Jacqueline Causon
Overtitles English Translation: Diana Conchado
Postcard & Banner Graphic Design: Israel Franco-Müller
Special Thanks to Leo Ortiz
MI CASA ES TU CASA
Teatro Círculo’s staff created an initiative called Mi casa es tu casa, and thanks to our wonderful supporters at the Howard Gilman Foundation and the “State of New York” we are able to offer $10 tickets for Saturdays performances.
Thanks to Mi casa es tu casa, we have these special events:
$10 Tickets on Saturdays, September 19th and 26th, and October 3rd at 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM, using code ACCESS.
A FREE Community Night and Cast Party on Friday, September 18th after the performance
A FREE Spanish Golden Age Verse Workshop on Saturday, September 19th after the 7:00 PM performance
FREE post-performance discussions with Spanish Golden Age Scholars following the 2:00 PM Sunday Matinees on September 20th and 27th
Teatro Círculo would like to thank everyone who has shared every social media post, press release and photos of this play and to you AUDIENCE, thank YOU for your continuous support through these 32 years!
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