Lluvia

by Diana Burbano

A modern female-driven take on Somerset Maugham's Rain, Lluvia is about a group of travelers stranded in the Amazons. Mendoza, an arrogant and self-righteous Christian missionary, attempts to reform Saidi Torres, a young woman he mistakenly assumes is a prostitute. The missionary eventually spends several days alone with the woman, "cleansing her soul of sin." The ending is surprising, violent, and ambiguous...

A modern female-driven take on Somerset Maugham's Rain, Lluvia is about a group of travelers stranded in the Amazons. Mendoza, an arrogant and self-righteous Christian missionary, attempts to reform Saidi Torres, a young woman he mistakenly assumes is a prostitute. The missionary eventually spends several days alone with the woman, "cleansing her soul of sin." The ending is surprising, violent, and ambiguous. Who fooled who?
Written for the Odyssey's Writers Group, 2023

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Lluvia

Recommended by

  • David Davila: Lluvia by Diana Burbano
    “

    I was very taken with the language and imagery of this beautiful play. This is the best play I've read in a long time! The themes are so important and spoken about so viscerally that it's almost scary. I also love the connection between colonialism and disease and righteousness. It's so beautiful and Saidi is such a badass character that I was cheering so loud at that ending!

    I was very taken with the language and imagery of this beautiful play. This is the best play I've read in a long time! The themes are so important and spoken about so viscerally that it's almost scary. I also love the connection between colonialism and disease and righteousness. It's so beautiful and Saidi is such a badass character that I was cheering so loud at that ending!

    ”

Character Information

  • Mrs. Mendoza
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American,
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American,
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American,
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic,
      Middle Eastern, North African, or Arab American,
      Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander,
      South Asian or South Asian American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Noelia
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American,
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Joe
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic,
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Saidi Torres
    A young woman escaping her past
    20's
    Latine,
    Latinx
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American,
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Mendoza
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic,
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male