Alfonso Cid

Flamenco Poetrance will premier a play by Silvia Siller that tells a common story through theater, poetry and flamenco dance directed by Melania Levitsky. Five artist friends get together to celebrate the anniversary of a dead friend, Bernardo. He had been an inspiration to each of them in their particular talent when the all lived in Paris, but since his death, their talent has been sporadic or dormant until their reunion after 20 years in New York City. The friends are Juan Carlos, the poet, two flamenco dancers, Isabel and Mariela, a singer, Alonso and a guitar player, Joaquin, who hosts a party for the reunion. This reunion is the opportunity to resurrect old times when all that mattered was their bohemian world; music, dance, poetry and wine. It is a chance for each of them to reawaken their camaraderie, their passion for performance, and remember what made them friends, their support for one another in this intimate space, where they feel safe and free, with no judgments and Bernardo’s encouragement.  The fact that is Bernardo’s anniversary adds a real “duende” to the performance.  Some of the flamenco dance program includes: Alegrias, Seguiriya, Bulerias, Tangos, Tientos , and Tarantos. The poems will be recited in Spanish (with translation) and have been chosen following the plot where a subtle old love triangle emerges. All poems are part of a Poetry book in Spanish that will be released in November by Silvia Siller (in Spanish): De Mariposas y Mantis published URPI Editores. The performance is about the great artist within who got left behind, and who now have the safe space to come forward and step in to the spotlight. The gathering then becomes the actual performance that blows away the shadows these friends have been living. The characters are the poet played by Walter Krochmal,  the first dancer played by Silvia Siller, , the other dancer Isabel played by Sabrina Hayeem-Ladani, the singer is Alfonso Cid and the guitar player, Jared Paul Newman. The show becomes this recollection of a tertulia flamenca where the spirits (including their friend) are nourished with music, cante, baile, poetry and a few secrets.