Esperanza Rising This play runs on May 2-18, 2025
A WORLD PREMIERE PRODUCTION
Adaptation by Alvaro Saar Rios
Original Music by Dinorah Márquez
From the book by Pam Muñoz Ryan
Originally Commissioned by First Stage, Jeff Frank, Artistic Director
Directed by Michelle Lopez-Rios
Two young storytellers, with the help of an ensemble of actors, take the stage and begin to weave the tale of Esperanza — a wealthy Mexican girl whose privileged existence is shattered when tragedy strikes, and she and her mother must flee to California. Forced to work in a migrant labor camp, Esperanza must learn to rise above her difficult circumstances and discover what she's truly made of. Set in the turbulent 1930s, and based on the popular book by Pam Muñoz Ryan, Esperanza Rising is a poetic tale of a young girl's triumph over adversity.
In the News!
Michelle Lopez-Rios on CBS58
Michelle LoRicco on What's on Tap Podcast
David Flores on WISN12
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel review
David Flores on TMJ4
Supported in part by a grant from the Milwaukee Arts Board and the Wisconsin Arts Board with funds from the State of Wisconsin
