Princess Clara of Loisaida

by Matt Barbot

[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. 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.

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Princess Clara of Loisaida

Recommended by

  • Lainie Vansant: Princess Clara of Loisaida

    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!

    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: Princess Clara of Loisaida

    A magical adventure based in sibling love! Beautifully done!

    A magical adventure based in sibling love! Beautifully done!

  • Unicorn Theatre: Princess Clara of Loisaida

    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.

    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.

View all 10 recommendations

Character Information

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

Development History

  • Type Reading, Organization Atlantic Pacific Theatre Company, Year 2024
  • Type Reading, Organization Repertorio Español, Year 2021
  • Type Workshop, Organization Bay Street Theater, Year 2021
  • Type Reading, Organization Up Theater Company, Year 2019
  • Type Reading, Organization Teatro LATEA, Year 2018
  • Type Reading, Organization Pipeline Theatre Company, Year 2016
  • Type Residency, Organization Pipeline Theatre Company, Year 2015
  • Type Reading, Organization Lather Rinse Repeat, Year 2015

Production History

  • Type Workshop, Organization Columbia University School of the Arts, Year 2016

Awards

  • EAG Barbour Playwrights Award
    Episcopal Actors Guild
    Finalist
    2024
  • Miranda Family Nuevas Voces Award
    Repertorio Español
    Finalist
    2021
  • In-Progress New Play Reading Series
    Unicorn Theatre
    Finalist
    2020
  • The Mix
    Steppenwolf
    Selection
    2018
  • Columbia@Roundabout New Play Reading Series
    Roundabout Theatre Company
    Finalist
    2018
  • Carnaval of New Latinx Work
    HowlRound Theatre Commons / Latinx Theatre Commons
    Finalist
    2018