A bed, a chair, walls lined with newspaper, and a woman who no longer remembers who she is are displayed on stage.
In just 90 minutes, “The Delicate Tears of the Waning Moon” transforms this scene into an evocative recollection of real-life Latina journalists slain for speaking out against human rights injustices, including topics like femicide, drug trafficking and government corruption.
Written by and starring Venezuelan journalist and actress Rebeca Aleman and directed by award-winning producer Iraida Tapias, it weaves poetic scripture into the torment and resilience of grief and recovery.
The play is produced by the immigrant and Latina-led, Water People Theater based in Chicago. It had its world premiere at the Steppenwolf Theater in 2019 and has returned to the city at Instituto Cervantes, a worldwide nonprofit promoting Spanish language education.
The play is based on the true stories of murdered Latina journalists like Regina Martinez Perez, Miroslava Breach, Yessenia Mollinedo, Sheila Johana Garcia Olivera and many others.
“The Delicate Tears of the Waning Moon” narrates the recovery of a fictional human rights journalist Paulina, who is in the process of regaining her memory and motor skills after falling into a coma from a brutal attack.
Under the care of Rodrigo, her friend and co-worker, Paulina ebbs in and out of traumatic flashbacks. Memories of her daughter, mother and friend Patricia help her piece back her identity and why she was attacked.
“Rebeca did research in Mexico for five months. She interviewed Patricia, the friend of Miroslava, who was killed.” Tapias said, in Spanish. “Everything she says [in the play] is true. It’s admirable how she was able to listen to the mothers and families of those victims.”
Throughout the play, audiences resonate with Paulina’s indignancy for victims of femicide and Indigenous injustices. Aleman incorporates a lot of poetic imagery into her dialogue, making the moon a central motif in Paulina’s path toward reconciliation with oppressive journalism and Rodrigo, who she discovers is hiding something from her.
“It’s a hard play that demands a lot emotionally,” Tapias said. “It’s demanding for everyone, but especially for the actors. Especially for Rebeca. What she does on stage is mesmerizing.”
This revival marks Tapias’ third time directing the play. Throughout her 50 years of experience in theater, Tapias has developed new techniques, embedding “secrets” into the play’s text that reveal her creative process.
“In every new montage, I discover more things,” she said. “I go much more deeper into the play. It’s a play written from the soul.”
Though the play certainly carries a lot of weight on its own, an additional art exhibit next to the theater reveals the real faces behind Paulina’s story, displaying various news footage and photos of murdered journalists.
A plastic, naked mannequin filled to the waist with dollar bills confronts audiences with themes surrounding corruption and discarded female bodies while layered newspaper clippings pinpoint one murder case to another.
This exhibit was curated by Marisabel Munoz, the art director, set, prop and costume designer for The Water People Theater. It evokes introspection both before and after the performance.
“What we’re looking for is to touch the soul and the themes that are there,” Tapias said. “Theater touches your soul and people feel empathy with the actor and dramatic action.”
With potent conviction, vulnerability and storytelling, “The Delicate Tears of the Waning Moon” breathes life into the souls of journalists who sought justice and were met with death. In doing so, viewers too, feel the vitality of these silenced yet outspoken voices who live on forever in Latine history.
The Delicate Tears of the Waning Moon will be playing in theaters till October 4, 2024. Tickets and more information can be found here.
