Main Stage Series: Classical Plays
LA MONJA ALFÉREZ
(The Lieutenant Nun)
By Juan Ruiz de Alarcón
Directed by Daniel Alonso de Santos
From October 17 to November 2, 2025
The story of a 17th Century decorated trans soldier.
Performed in Spanish Verse with Overtitles in English
At Teatro Círculo, 64 East 4th Street, NYC
Running time: Approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes. No intermission.
Teatro Círculo presents the Spanish Golden Age Classic La monja alférez (The Lieutenant Nun) by Juan Ruiz de Alarcón, an adaptation by Daniel Alonso de Santos & Germán Vega García-Luengos, under the direction of Daniel Alonso de Santos, and verse direction by Karmele Aranburu.
When President Trump issued his Executive Order declaring transgender soldiers, “not in the best interest of the Service of the Militaries… and not consistent with the interests of national security,” José Cheo Oliveras, Teatro Círculo’s Founding Artistic Director knew which play he would choose to open the company’s 2025-2026 Season.
This extraordinary play challenged the idea of gender conformity 400 years ago. Teatro Círculo’s production reimagines La monja alférez as a play within a play set in a piano bar in present day New York City.
Cast: María Fontanals, Sandra Gumuzzio, Eva Cristina Vásquez, Gerardo Gudiño, Fernando Gazzaniga, José Cheo Oliveras, Mario Mattei, Jei Fabiano
Production design by Israel Franco-Müller, Caridad del Valle is the Assistant Director and Stage Manager, Kareliz Michelle De Jesús is the Hair & Makeup Designer, original music is composed by Jei Fabiano, Fight Choreography by Mario Mattei.
12 Performance Dates:
Friday, October 17, 2025
@7:00 PM
Saturday, October 18, 2025
@2:00 PM
Saturday, October 18, 2025
@7:00 PM
Sunday, October 19, 2025
@2:00 PM
– –
Friday, October 24, 2025
@7:00 PM
Saturday, October 25, 2025
@2:00 PM
*** Saturday, October 25, 2025
@7:00 PM
*** Following the performance, Founding Artistic Director José Cheo Oliveras will offer a fun, MINI WORSHOP on SPANISH VERSE with the audience!
*** Sunday, October 26, 2025
@2:00 PM
*** Q&A will follow led by Hunter College Associate Professor of Spanish, Michael Predmore & José Cheo Oliveras
Michael Predmore is a Professor of Spanish and Golden Age literature at Hunter Colle. His specific interests and areas of research include Spanish 16th and 17th Century Theater, Prose and Poetry, Philosophy of Mind and Philosophy of Language, and Critical Theory.
– –
Saturday, November 1, 2025
@2:00 PM
*** Saturday, November 1, 2025
@7:00 PM
*** Following the performance, Founding Artistic Director José Cheo Oliveras will offer a fun, MINI WORSHOP on SPANISH VERSE with the audience!
*** Sunday, November 2, 2025
@2:00 PM
*** Q&A will follow led by Hunter College Associate Professor of Spanish, Diana Conchado & José Cheo Oliveras
Diana Conchado is a Professor of Spanish and Golden Age literature at Hunter College, City University of New York. In addition to Siglo de Oro, her research interests include literary translation, Galician literature, and Early Modern herbals.
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$40 General Admission
$35 Students & Seniors
$30 Groups of 10+
NOTE: There is a special discount for CUNY students, please make sure to write CUNY in the “Do you have a code?” box when purchasing your ticket. You must select the Student option for discount to apply.
NOTE: It is not allowed to combine discounts. Teatro Círculo will accept only one discount.
Teatro Círculo is located at 64 East 4th Street, between Bowery and Second Avenue in Manhattan.
ADA Accessible
Trains: 6 to Astor Place, R or W to 8th Street-NYU, F to 2 Avenue
Terms & Conditions: Teatro Círculo does not allow for exchanges or refunds once tickets are purchased. Refunds and exchanges can only be made in the event of a performance cancellation in which you will be notified immediately. When purchasing using a discount or a discount code, only ONE discount will be applied. In the event of purchasing using more than one discount, Teatro Círculo will charge the full ticket price.
Students: Must show student ID.
Safety & Health Protocol: Even though NYC Guidelines are changing we recommend you wear face covering.
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