Another Word for Beauty Makes World Premiere at Goodman Theatre

Another Word for Beauty begins its run this evening at Goodman Theatre.

Inspired by an annual beauty pageant at El Buen Pastor women’s prison in Colombia, the show tells the story of the women who compete for the title "Señorita Simpatía." From murderers to streetwalkers to political dissidents, these women endure daily dangers and indignities as a result of their incarceration. The pageant, however, upends the atmosphere to one of celebration and hope. With a chance at winning something, the issues of poverty, brutality, and marginalization fall to the wayside, and for each individual woman, the gowns and exotic headdresses come to signify more than their superficial beauty.

Steve Cosson directs Academy Award nominee José Rivera’s play, with music by Hector Buitrago. The show features Stephanie Andrea Barron as Yolanda, Helen Cespedes as Xiomara, Monique Gabriela Curnen as Marilin/Magnolia, Dan Domingues as Danny/Mauricio/Arturo, Danaya Esperanza as Luzmery, Zoë Sophia Garcia as Nora, Marisol Miranda as Carmen/Tatiana/Elisinda, Yunuen Pardo as Jeimi, Socorro Santiago as Ciliana, Heather Velazquez as Maikelyn/Eva, and Carmen Zilles as Isabelle.

"José Rivera’s raucous, moving and exhilarating new play takes us to a world where the concept of ‘beauty’ may seem unlikely — and reveals images of beauty, physical and otherwise, that none of us has ever imagined," said artistic director Robert Falls.

The creative team includes Andrew Boyce (set design), Robert Wierzel (lighting design), Michael Bodeen and Rob Milburn (sound design), Emily Rebholz (costume design), and Briana Fahey (production stage manager).

Performances will run through February 21.

For tickets and more information, click here.