Like Water for Chocolate Musical to Have Pre-Broadway Debut at Arena Stage

A musical adaptation of Laura Esquivel’s Like Water for Chocolate is headed to the Arena Stage in Washington, DC for a world premiere pre-Broadway production. Featuring Mexican singer/songwriter Lila Downs, who also co-wrote the music and lyrics, the show will run September 9-October 30 at the Arena’s Kreeger Theatre, co-directed by Ted Sperling and Jonathan Butterell. No other casting has been announced.

Like Water for Chocolate will have a book by Tony nominee Quiara Alegria Hudes (In the Heights) and music and lyrics by Downs and Paul Cohen. Downs has performed songs in films including Frida and Deseo as well as on the soundtracks of Casa de los Babys, Tortilla Soup and other films.

Steeped in the rich history and the magical realism of Mexican folktales, Like Water for Chocolate is described as a simmering, spicy tale ripe with romance and recipes for love and life and longing. Young Tita, powerless to marry the man she loves as he is betrothed to her eldest sister, infuses her family’s traditional meals with her unexpressed passions. Esquivel adapted her internationally best-selling novel into an acclaimed feature film released in 1992.

Arena's 2011-2012 season will also include a production of John Logan’s Tony Award-winning play Red directed by Robert Falls, a revival of The Music Man directed by Molly Smith and a Eugene O’Neill festival including productions of Ah, Wilderness! and Long Day’s Journey Into Night.

Like Water for Chocolate will be presented at the Arena by special arrangement with Margo Lion Ltd.