Rosario Castellanos (25 May 1925 – 7 August 1974)

I’m sitting here wearing an LED red light thingy on my head. I’m hoping it will stop my hair from falling out (I have thyroid issues, menopause issues etc.) It’s very weird to be an older woman in todays America where women aren’t allowed to just age naturally without criticism. It’s very hard for me to be an older woman in general. I’m never quite sure I’m good enough, pretty enough…. whatever that means. I feel insecure….just like Rosario Castellanos. I’m always asking, what is my value anyway? Lately I’m asking if women will be losing the rights and possibilities that they are only now starting to enjoy. We seem to be going backwards to the 50’s.

And my life as an older woman is easier because I’m white. If I was a brown skinned older woman it might be even harder.

Rosario Castellanos wrote about what it was like to be a Mexican woman in the 50’s. She wrote about her insecurities. She wrote about the pain she experienced watching how her society abused and mistreated it’s indigenous populations. She wrote about the lack of opportunities and the lesser version of human rights that women experienced.

She might have been completely ignored like most women of that time. Mexican culture in the 50’s had no place for a feminist, social justice warrior. Yet Rosario Castellanos was incredibly influential, successful and renowned in Mexico and beyond. She opened the door for Mexican women in academia and her writings left a lasting influence in Mexican anthropology. The indigenous cultures enjoyed greater respect in science and politics after a generation enjoyed her stories.

Yes,she was a complex and amazing person. I feel love for her and her hilarious poetry as if she were my close friend writing to me personally. Still, what is really incredible is how this one woman writer, writing about being a housewife, aging, insecurities, sexuality and many other “woman’s issues” changed her society so profoundly and without causing a backlash. How she changed it for good.

I think we have a lot to learn from her ways and her life today. Fortunately her life story is incredibly moving and dramatic. It makes a fascinating tale.

I didn’t begin to write this musical for any conscious reason. I just fell in love with Rosario’s poetry and therefore with Rosario. I began setting it to music and later translating it. I worked my way through her book “Poesia no eres tu” whenever I had the chance. As I explored the emotions and experiences in her work, it became clear to me that I could amplify what she did and create positive change in todays world.

As I watch racism rear it’s ugly head, as I watch myself and the women in my life question our own value, as I watch women’s rights begin to erode, I wonder what can I do and I keep coming back to the same thing. It’s this musical I’m writing based on the life and work of Rosario Castellanos.

How can I communicate how I believe it will begin to heal the divide between the Mexico and the US, how it will help women including myself understand that they are of great value and beauty no matter their age or weight? How it will remind people of the tragic consequences of women being treated like possessions without their own social power.

How can I express how I think it can begin a more compassionate conversation about racism, immigration, fascism, patriarchy and so much more?

Most importantly, how can I tell you about Rosario’s amazing style of writing which used irony, surreal humor and tragedy all at the same time at full volume to get her point across without being preachy?

The only thing I can do is find ways to amplify her voice, to make it more accessible and enjoyable for people today.

I am encouraged that the musical Hamilton has found a huge audience and created a conversation about what it means to be American. Maybe there is a huge audience out there just waiting for the next transformative musical theater experience to go to. I sure hope so!

The name of the musical is “Rosario” (which I think would look lovely in lights on Broadway.)

I have drawn on many inspirations and influences including greek theater,Pink Floyd’s the wall, pre hispanic music of Mexico, rap and many other musical genres. Rosario changed her tone in each poem and I have adapted the music to suit while at the same time seeking to create coherence with musical themes and styles. (Yes, very challenging!) The tone is tragic and comedic at the same time. The message is , in Rosario’s words, about finding a new way to be human and free.

The poems I translated and set to music come from Rosario’s book “Poesia no eres tu” (You are not poetry). I also will be using selections from her books “Balun Canan” , ” Rito de Initiacion”, “Mujer de palabras” among others.

I hope you enjoy the previews!

This is a short excerpt of “The Kinsey Report” I may not have the time travelers in the new full musical..but they are fun. (Skip to minute 3 if you don’t want to hear the set change music)

Here are some demos of the music. If I get proper funding and can work with real musicians instead of samples, this will become even better.