Tickets now on sale to MBS Productions’ The Lovers

by Shawn Parikh

From January 31 - February 16, Mark-Brian Sonna Productions will be running The Lovers. This production could not come at a better time with all the Valentine's marketing rolling around and the theater company is even offering a special Valentine’s Day "Chocolate & Roses” performance in which all ticket holders will receive chocolates and a rose. Tickets are now on sale online or by calling 214-477-4942.

The Lovers is a true story. The year is 1212, in Teruel, Spain. Isabel and Juan Diego are planning to announce their engagement. They were friends as children and as they grew up they fell in love with each other and both families agreed that when they got old enough they would marry. Unfortunately, as time passed, Juan Diego’s family finds itself in financial straits. Without notice, Isabel’s father cancels the engagement for he realizes he would have to bail out Juan Diego’s family via the dowry. Heartbroken, Juan Diego begs Isabel’s father for another opportunity to regain her hand. It is agreed that he would have five years to recoup the family’s fortune. The following day he leaves town in search of fortune. Five years pass and Juan Diego isn’t heard from again.

The year is now 1217 and Isabel’s father arranges another marriage to happen on the fifth anniversary of the agreement, therefore keeping his promise. During Isabel’s wedding, Juan Diego returns thinking he’s a day early, for he understood the agreement to be five years from the day he had left Teruel. When he realizes the error he rushes to the church What occurred in the next 24 hours shocked, startled, and broke the hearts of all those involved. The events were so exceptional, so shocking, and so heart wrenching, that to this day Isabel and Juan Diego’s love story has been recounted and retold in countless poems, plays, and operas, inspired artists and lovers throughout the world. Over the centuries millions have visited Teruel to visit the burial site where the Lovers of Teruel, rest side by side for eternity. This play not only tells the profound and love story but weaves music and popular song from the middle ages to make this the most unique and touching musical you will ever see.

The show is written and directed by Mark-Brian Sonna with musical direction by Patsy McGregor Sadowski & Alan Dudley and sets and costumes by Alejandro de la Costa. The cast stars Richard Rollin, Tim Cahill, Roxi Taylor, Michael Zimmermann, Alan Dudley, Delynda Johnson Moravec, Frances Muñoz and Andrew Chernack. The music dates back to various Medieval composers, and if you want more info on the playlist and why songs were chosen, you can check out the official site.