The Tennessee Williams drama “Summer and Smoke” may not be as well-known as some of his other plays, like “Cat On A Hot Tin Roof,” or “A Streetcar Named Desire.” But as its name implies, it smolders just the same.
Set in a Mississippi town at the turn of the last century, it tells the story of a minister’s daughter and her relationship with the young doctor who grew up next door. It’s a play where piety battles sensuality, the spirit is at war with the flesh -- and a man and a woman are always facing off about all of it.
And in the opinion of Ilisa Rosal, that makes the play a perfect match for the passionate art of flamenco.
Rosal is founder and Artistic Director of Ballet Flamenco La Rosa, based in Miami. The company's rendering of Williams' classic play -- restyled “Verano y Humo” -- premieres this weekend at the Colony Theatre in Miami Beach.
In adapting one of her favorite plays for flamenco, Rosal says she employs all of the tools associated with the dance form -- the precision footwork, guitar music, Spanish vocals -- but uses them in a different way.
"One of my dancers described it like this: from the waist down, you're a flamenco dancer and from the waist up, you're an actor," she says.
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If You Go:
"Verano y Humo"
Inspired by Tennesse Williams' "Summer and Smoke"
Presented by Ballet Flamenco La Rosa
Saturday, June 9 at 8 p.m.
Sunday, June 10 at 3 p.m
The Colony Theatre
1040 Lincoln Rd., Miami Beach
