The Western Stage will continue its 2008 season with La Llorona - The Weeping Woman, a hauntingly beautiful world premiere musical by San Francisco composer and lyricist Hector Armienta. This stirring World Premiere will open Friday October 10, 2008.

La Llorona - The Weeping Woman is an ancient Mexican legend whose source is uncertain, but some say it dates back to the Aztec Empire during the invasion of the Spanish Conquistadors. Like many legends, there are multiple versions of this tale, some more brutal than others, but the basics are always the same.The story is of a beautiful Mexican Indian woman who fell in love with a Spaniard. At first, their marriage was blissful. They were happy and had a beautiful child. Yet, eventually, the husband grew distant and began having an affair with another woman. Blinded by her husband-s betrayal, she took the child to the river and drowned her. Tormented by what she had done, her spirit now walks the earth calling out to her child and any other children that will answer her call.

Armienta has reexamined the myth and has written the piece in a way that is accessible to both English and Spanish speakers - -La Llorona-- is in English with Spanish interjections. Those who speak Spanish will be able understand the nuances of the work.

Hector Armienta is an accomplished composer, music educator, and arts advocate. Most of his work draws on the Latino cultural experience. He has received support and commissions from many organizations among them: Meet the Composer Ca., San Francisco Arts Commission, Arts International, Opera Pacific, Oakland Symphony and Pacific Symphony. As an arts educator, he is currently working on a series of music activity books with his company -Musical Discovery-. He has been working on "La Llorona-" since 2004.

La Llorona - The Weeping Woman: A Musical Drama is directed by Jon Patrick Selover, choreographed by Lorenzo Aragon, with musical direction by Don Dally. Jose Ortiz, muralist and fine arts director for Alisal Center for the Fine Arts, will provide original artwork. The production of La Llorona is part of the continuing efforts of The Western Stage to develop multi-cultural theatre that speaks to the values and history of the Salinas community and Monterey County. The production is supported in part by the National Endowment for The Arts (NEA).