Destinos Latino Theater Festival announces 2022 schedule with dramas and comedies about the Latino experience
The Destinos International Latino Theater Festival is back in Chicago for the fifth year and will be in person from Sept. 14 through Oct. 16.
The fest brings a variety of Latino-focused panels, shows and student performances to various marquee venues downtown, neighborhood storefront theaters and cultural institutions across Chicago, including Steppenwolf Theatre, The Goodman Theatre an The Den Theatre.
“Vibrant solo shows and large-scale productions from Chicago and U.S. Latino companies, plus visiting artists and productions from Latin America, will be playing on Chicago’s top stages, each celebrating the Latino experience,” said Myrna Salazar, executive director of the Chicago Latino Theater Alliance, which produces the festival.
This year’s lineup includes six world premieres, one North American premiere, three U.S. premieres and three Midwest premieres.
Week One: Sept. 14-18
“La Pájara de San Juan” (Sept. 14-17 at the National Museum of Mexican Art, 1852 W. 19th St.): This story is set during the Trump administration and is about two sisters, both Mexican immigrants, who meet in Chicago. One sister has documents, but the other does not. A world premiere.
“Las Migas” (Sept. 15-Oct. 2 at Chess Live Theater, 3622 S. Morgan St.): For days, a professor and an engineer have been stuck on the roof of a Chicago skyscraper after climbing up to see a red moon. A domestic worker and a window washer discover them. Eventually, they find the door open, and everyone returns to their normal routine — except for one person. A world premiere.
“Bruna la Bruja Bruta” (Sept. 17-Oct. 16 at Marquette Park, 3117 W. 63rd St.): Bruna is a modern-day Latina bruja who has traveled on her broom to the Marquette Park neighborhood as Halloween approaches. A world premiere.
Week 2: Sept. 21-25
“Pequeños Territorios en Reconstrucción” (Sept. 21-25 at the Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn St.): This project is about Turbaco, Colombia, where a group of women who were displaced by armed conflict 15 years ago established the League of Displaced Women and built 98 houses with their own hands. A Midwest premiere.
“Tebas Land” (Sept. 22-Oct. 9 at Chicago Dramatists, 1105 W. Chicago Ave.): This play showcases meetings in a prison basketball court between a playwright and a young person who killed a close relative. A North American premiere.
“Enough to Let the Light In” (Sept. 21-Oct. 23 at Steppenwolf’s 1700 Theater, 1700 N. Halsted St.): Two friends celebrate a milestone, but it quickly turns into chaos as secrets are uncovered. A world premiere.
Week 3: Sept. 29-Oct. 2
“Evolution of a Sonero” (Sept. 29-Oct. 23 at Humboldt Park, 2620 W. Division St.): This salsa epic from Flaco Navaja is all about growing up, being inspired and staying on track. A Midwest premiere.
“Blanco Temblor” (Sept. 29-Oct. 2 at The Den Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave.): This show uses laughter, silence, music and movement to reflect on mental health. A U.S. premiere.
Week 4: Oct. 7-9
“Alma” (Oct. 7-Nov. 6, venue to be announced): This show follows Alma, who has single-handedly raised her daughter, Angel. But just before the SAT test day, Alma finds that her daughter isn’t at home studying. A world premiere.
Week 5: Oct. 10-16
“Sancocho” (Oct. 10-Nov. 30, venue to be announced): Two sisters prepare sancocho, a traditional Latino stew, and reflect on their culture, womanhood, transgenerational trauma and family history. A Midwest premiere.
“BULL: a love story” (Oct. 5-Nov. 20 at the Copley Theatre, 8 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora): After spending time in prison for dealing drugs, Bull returns to his Lakeview neighborhood to find it has changed. A world premiere.
“The Wizards” (Oct. 14-Nov. 22 at the APO Cultural Center, 1438 W. 18th St.): Amado and Sam, a genderqueer couple, move back to Chicago after surviving a hate crime in New York. They find an Ouija board in their new apartment that puts them in touch with The Wizards, a Mexican American Motown cover band. A world premiere.
“Cintas de Seda” (Oct. 13-Nov. 20 at Aguijón Theater, 2707 N. Laramie Ave.): On the eve of the Day of the Dead, The Painter and The Nun come together. A U.S. premiere. Sept. 14-Oct. 16 at various venues across Chicago; tickets will be on sale mid-August at destinosfest.org
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