Princess Clara of Loisaida

[FULL LENGTH] With Mamá long gone and Papá catatonic (and only able to sing old sitcom theme songs), aspiring baseball player and high school super-senior José finds himself in charge of his video-game obsessed little sister, Clara. Scraping by together on the Lower East Side, the siblings try to stay distracted from their bleak reality through José’s fanciful stories: that she was a fairy princess of a magical...
[FULL LENGTH] With Mamá long gone and Papá catatonic (and only able to sing old sitcom theme songs), aspiring baseball player and high school super-senior José finds himself in charge of his video-game obsessed little sister, Clara. Scraping by together on the Lower East Side, the siblings try to stay distracted from their bleak reality through José’s fanciful stories: that she was a fairy princess of a magical realm, left in Central Park for their parents to find. Unbeknownst to him, Fefu, a magical fairy scout embedded in New York to keep an eye out for the lost princess when she comes of age, has identified her target to bring her home. When the siblings realize José’s stories might be true – that, in fact, he may be making them come true – Clara is faced with a choice, and José will fight a magical battle for his sister’s destiny.
  • Recommend
  • Download
  • Save to Reading List

Princess Clara of Loisaida

Recommended by

  • Lainie Vansant:
    6 Aug. 2021
    Barbot does an excellent job blending genres and blurring lines in this top-notch example of Latinx/magical realism. I feel like I could read this over and over again and keep distilling new meaning from it. On top of that, the language is specific and natural. Don't miss this haunting piece!
  • Cheryl Bear:
    24 Apr. 2021
    A magical adventure based in sibling love! Beautifully done!
  • Unicorn Theatre:
    21 May. 2020
    This play is a FINALIST for the 2020-2021 In-Progress New Play Reading Series at Unicorn Theatre in Kansas City, Missouri. It is our pleasure to support PRINCESS CLARA OF LOISAIDA.

Character Information

  • Clara
    13 years old,
    Latinx
    ,
    Girl
    Old soul, too smart for her own good, sometimes. Proficient in video games.
  • José
    19 years old,
    Latinx
    ,
    boy
    Clara's brother. Tough, protective, athletic. A high-school super-senior. His temper is taut. He's smart, too, in his own way.
  • Papá
    40's, 50's,
    Latinx
    ,
    Man
    Clara and José's dad. Catatonic, stares at the TV. Only communicated in old sitcom theme songs.
  • Fefu
    Any age,
    Any
    ,
    woman
    Fairy special forces. On a mission.
  • Cosmo
    A video game warrior, and Clara's confidant. Mysterious. **Played by the same actor who plays Papá.**

Development History

  • Reading
    ,
    Repertorio Español
    ,
    2021
  • Workshop
    ,
    Bay Street Theater
    ,
    2021
  • Reading
    ,
    Up Theater Company
    ,
    2019
  • Reading
    ,
    Teatro LATEA
    ,
    2018
  • Reading
    ,
    Pipeline Theatre Company
    ,
    2016
  • Reading
    ,
    Lather Rinse Repeat
    ,
    2015
  • Residency
    ,
    Pipeline Theatre Company
    ,
    2015

Production History

  • Workshop
    ,
    Columbia University School of the Arts
    ,
    2016

Awards

Finalist
,
Miranda Family Nuevas Voces Award
,
Repertorio Español
,
2021
Finalist
,
In-Progress New Play Reading Series
,
Unicorn Theatre
,
2020
Finalist
,
Carnaval of New Latinx Work
,
HowlRound Theatre Commons / Latinx Theatre Commons
,
2018
Finalist
,
Columbia@Roundabout New Play Reading Series
,
Roundabout Theatre Company
,
2018
Selection
,
The Mix
,
Steppenwolf
,
2018