“Is it Dawn?” – A Theatrical Production Reflecting on Pandemic Lessons Continues to Attract Audiences

Verónica Musalem, a seasoned playwright, screenwriter, teacher, and theater director, has found an unending source of inspiration and a creative challenge within the covid-19 pandemic to continue the evolution of her craft.

Her monologue, Is it dawn?, generated from thorough research during the lockdown, is set to have its final performance today at 1 p.m. at El Hormiguero Cultural Center.

She explains, in an interview with The Conference, that the project was initiated upon the request of the National Autonomous University of Mexico. The focal points that prompted the project were: How? Who? And from what perspective: social, existential, health?

Musalem expressed her desire to craft a theatrical piece with multiple voices, embodied by a singular actress. This posed the first challenge. Through the process of writing and directing, she found numerous profound motivations to delve deeper into the project.

The narrative explores the lives of three women residing in different parts of the world: Paris, Tokyo, and Mexico. The first character is a drug addict who rejects her own motherhood; the second character is grieving the loss of her father and decides to embark on her dream journey using her inheritance; the third character is a researcher who uses virtual platforms to engage in sexual encounters with strangers.

Musalem added, “Each story was intuitively woven together, based on an in-depth investigation of our experiences during the lockdown. I gave precedence to the existential and feminine aspects of the characters, brought to life by Lourdes Echevarría.”

The three women share a common thread: they are all confined and fear incites introspection amid the prevailing external uncertainty, leading them to question their self-understanding.

Confinement encouraged us to confront our deepest fears. On stage, Lourdes Echevarría experiences moments that are humorous, dreamlike, sensual, irreverent, and profoundly human.

Even though the pandemic seems to be over, its lessons are still highly relevant in the cultural and artistic landscape. As a director and playwright, I must constantly reinvent myself and sustain the capability to elevate stage language to a different level.

“It’s clear that we need to explore new avenues based on our existing knowledge. Specifically, the global crisis compelled our protagonists to remain indoors. But even as they grapple with their inner turmoil, they have to make a crucial decision,” she concluded.

The production, Is it dawn?, produced by Musa Colibrí and directed by Verónica Musalem and Cardo Vela, will be showcased today at 1 p.m. at El Hormiguero Cultural Center (Gabriel Mancera 1539, Del Valle Sur neighborhood, Benito Juárez mayor’s office).

The subsequent performances are scheduled on March 1, 2 and 3 at the same time at the Landó theater, in Toluca, state of Mexico, as well as on March 30 and 31 at the NeuroForo, in Apan, Hidalgo.