‘House of Desires’ comes to Gavilan College stage

The Gavilan College Theatre Arts Department will present “House of Desires,” a witty romantic comedy filled with mistaken identities and physical humor, over two upcoming weekends starting May 9-10.

Written by Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, “House of Desires” is considered the first published feminist of the Americas, says a press release from Gavilan College. The 17th-century “rom-com” will show at the Gavilan College Theater, 5055 Santa Teresa Blvd. in Gilroy.

The show was written in the late 1600s, when Mexico was part of the Spanish colony known as New Spain. “House of Desires” (Los empeños de una casa) offers modern audiences a surprisingly relevant comedy of manners, exploring themes of gender roles and societal expectations all wrapped in witty wordplay, romantic entanglements and farcical situations.

“Sor Juana’s comedies share similarities with Shakespeare’s works—particularly in their sharp critique of gender and social norms,” said Isabel Cruz, the director of the production. “She remains far less known today despite being immensely influential in the Spanish-speaking world during her lifetime.”

Directed by Cruz, Gavilan lecturer and alumna, the production brings to life a work by one of history’s most remarkable yet often overlooked literary figures.

“Sor Juana was absolutely a feminist in a time when that term didn’t exist in the way we use it now,” said Cruz. “She lived in a self-determined way—legend has it she turned down multiple marriage proposals because she wanted to pursue her education and devote herself to study and writing.”

Sor Juana, a 17th-century Hispanic nun born in New Spain (present-day Mexico), possessed what was likely one of the largest private libraries in the Americas at the time. She was a prolific writer of religious poetry, theological essays and sacred plays—but also produced secular works like “House of Desires,” which were often performed for the Spanish colonial elite, says the press release. Later in life, under pressure from church authorities, she was forced to abandon her literary pursuits, silencing one of the era’s most brilliant voices.

Dr. John Lawton Haehl, Gavilan’s Theatre Arts program director and the production’s designer, describes the play as reminiscent of Molière’s comedies.

“She satirizes the manners and behavior of the upper classes,” Lawton Haehl said. “Everyone is proclaiming their honor and virtue while acting in ways that completely contradict those ideals. That kind of contrast makes for a comedy that still resonates today.”

The production features extensive student involvement, with actors from the performance class, technical support from the stage production class and contributions from volunteers. The elaborate set recreates a Spanish colonial hacienda, with period-appropriate costumes that emphasize the luxurious—and sometimes absurd—world of the characters.

“The students are making thoughtful acting choices that expose the ridiculousness of that kind of society,” Cruz said. “It’s been a beautiful opportunity to bring Sor Juana’s work home and share it with students who very much identify with her story.”

The English translation being performed was commissioned by the Royal Shakespeare Company in 2004 for its Spanish Golden Age season, making this a rare opportunity to experience Sor Juana’s work in a modern English-language production.

Performances at the Gavilan Theater are scheduled for 7:30pm May 9; 2pm and 7:30pm May 10; 7:30pm May 16; and 7:30pm May 17. Tickets are $25 general admission and $15 for students and seniors.

For more information about the production or to purchase tickets, bit.ly/gavhod25.