Balada de Muerte

Synopsis

Spectral Raven Theatre Company's Balada de Muerte is an original play in four acts. In a 1950s New Mexico town, watch the seasons go by as more and more strange happenings occur in a song and dance of life and death.

This production will contain flashing lights and heavy fog. Viewer discretion is advised.
This production has a 10 minute intermission.

Cast

• Maria/Dahlia — Cady Mejias
• "Abuelita"/Ramona Baptista — Jizzel Nuñez
• Jorge Baptista — Victor Vargas
• Socorro Gonzalez — Steph Nelson
• Juan Carlos — Alex Sanchez Jr.
• Luca — Jazmin Valdez
• Mr. Crosthwaite — Quincy Maxwell
• Mrs. Crosthwaite — Annabelle McGrew
• Enrique, The Gravekeeper — Avalon Lone
• Raul Espinoza — Steven Kairuz
• Ensemble
  • Veronica Flores
  • Ash Foster
  • Cristian Gonzalez

Production Team

• Director/Writer — Maria Coon
• Stage Manager — Keyla Frausto
• Assistant Stage Manager — Junior Nelson
• Lighting Design — Annabelle McGrew
• Sound Design — KC "MXXN" Luna
• Set Design — Dominick Callahan
• Technical Director — Scott Coon
• Costume Design — Jacqueline Ford
• Makeup Design|Intimacy Coordinator — Raegan Ankenman
• Blood Technician|Prop Master — Ash Foster
• Fight Choreographer — Steven Kairuz
• Additonal Crew
  • Carl Leon
  • Nia Castillo
  • Alecks Elliott

Note from the Director

When I first embarked on the journey of writing this play for my MFA thesis in Creative Fiction, I knew that I was diving into a deep well of cultural history and myth that has captivated and haunted people for generations. La Llorona, the Weeping Woman, is a figure that transcends time, resonating within Mexican folklore and beyond. The more I researched, the more I uncovered the multitude of interpretations and variations of her story. Each version held its own truth, shaped by the fears, hopes, and moral lessons of the communities that passed it down. It became clear to me that it was essential to honor these diverse narratives, to bring them to light, and yet also to create something entirely original. I wanted to explore La Llorona not just as a ghostly figure of warning, but as a manifestation of love, grief, and the profound struggle of letting go.

My intention was to weave a haunting love story that speaks to the universal human experience—the ways in which we are all haunted by our pasts, our losses, and our fears. In crafting this play, I leaned heavily on the critical research I conducted, not only to ensure that I was respecting the cultural roots of La Llorona, but also to understand the broader implications of adapting such a powerful piece of folklore into a modern, original narrative. This play is not just a retelling; it’s an exploration of how love and grief intertwine, how they can either destroy us or lead us to a deeper understanding of ourselves.

The cultural significance of La Llorona in Mexican folklore cannot be overstated. She is a figure of immense power, and in adapting her story, I sought to preserve that power while also breathing new life into it through the lens of theatrical horror. Horror, especially on stage, has a unique ability to connect us with our deepest fears and our most hidden emotions. It allows us to confront what haunts us in a safe, communal space. We are all haunted by something—be it regret, loss, or unfulfilled love—but by accepting our ghosts, we open the channels to flourishing in the material world.

I am humbled by the work of my amazing production team and cast, and I am beyond thrilled to share our work with you tonight, and I hope that it lingers with you, in the silence, in the darkness... long after the final curtain falls.

Maria Coon, MA, MFA
Owner and Artistic Director,
Spectral Raven Theatre Company

Special Thanks

• Casper A field cat. One who brightened our days with her presence.
• Lindsay Martin For her assistance with dance choreography and her continued support.
• Darren and Lori Schmall For their continued support.
• Joe Hoogasian and Pete Maestas For composing the original songs heard in the production.
• René Nielson For her continued support and assistance with the set.
• Jeff Hunter For his continued support.
• The Fresno State Theatre Department For their continued support and for lending us items for use in this show.
• The RSA Theatre Company For their continued support and for lending us items for use in this show.
• Rachel Hibbler For her continued support.
• Leslie Martin For her continued support.

Something Dreadful this way comes...

Stay tuned for our upcoming show in October at Raisin' Hell Ranch!