A SAMUEL FRENCH, INC. TITLE

Lydia

Full-Length Play, Drama  /  3w, 4m

Winner! 2008 Denver Post Ovation Award, Best Production
Winner! 2008 Henry Award, Outstanding New Play
Nominee! 2010 GLAAD Award for Outstanding Los Angeles Theater

  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    3w, 4m
Accolades
Accolades
  • Winner! 2008 Denver Post Ovation Award, Best Production
    Winner! 2008 Henry Award, Outstanding New Play
    Nominee! 2010 GLAAD Award for Outstanding Los Angeles Theater

Details

Summary
Set in the 1970s on the Texas border separating the United States and Mexico, Lydia is an intense, lyrical, and magical play. The Flores family welcomes Lydia, an undocumented maid, into their El Paso home to care for their daughter Ceci, who was tragically disabled in a car accident on the eve of her quinceañera. Lydia’s immediate and seemingly miraculous bond with the girl sets the entire family on a mysterious and shocking journey of discovery. Lydia is an unflinching and deeply emotional portrait of a Mexican immigrant family caught in a web of dark secrets. Contains strong language and nudity.

CECI - the sister, 17
MISHA - the younger brother, 16
RENE - the older brother, 19
ROSA - the mother
CLAUDIO - the father
ALVARO - the cousin, 22
LYDIA - the maid

  • Setting Set in the 1970s on the Texas border separating the United States and Mexico, in winter.
  • Cautions
    • Strong Language
    • Nudity/Partial Nudity

Media

REVIEWS:

"An astonishing, expertly crafted tragedy that seduces and tempts you with its pulsing rhythms and evocative language until it has you fully under its spell." – Denver Post

"Fresh, penetrating, often blissful." – The New York Times

"[Octavio Solis] demands attention with his jazzy mix of Spanglish, poetry, pop lyrics, magical realism and emotional insight." – Variety

ON BREAKING CHARACTER

The In-Betweenness
by Octavio Solio
September 10, 2019

LGBT Theater: A Samuel French Showcase
by Jack Smart
May 30 2013

Videos

  • LYDIA - Interview with playwright Octavio Solis youtube thumbnail

    LYDIA - Interview with playwright Octavio Solis

Licensing & Materials

  • Minimum Fee: $110 per performance

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Authors

Octavio Solis

Octavio Solis is a playwright and director whose works Quixote Nuevo, Mother Road, Hole in the Sky, Alicia’s Miracle, Se Llama Cristina, John Steinbeck’s The Pastures of Heaven, Ghosts of the River, Quixote, Lydia, June in a Box, Gibraltar, The Ballad of Pancho and Lucy, The ...
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