“Feunte Ovejuna” at Trinity is theater worth seeing

Center, left to right: Fred Sullivan, Jr. as Commander Fernan Gomez and Joe Wilson, Jr. as Esteban, surrounded by the company of Lope de Vega’s Like Sheep to Water, or Fuente Ovejuna as translated by Curt Columbus, directed by Mark Valdez. Set design by Michael McGarty, costume design by Garry Lennon, lighting design by Karin Olson. Photo Mark Turek.

by Frank O’Donnell

A people oppressed are bound to rise up against its oppressor. Even when the people are the “simple folk” of Fuente Ovejuna, a small town in 15^th century Spain under the iron thumb of Commander Fernan Gomez.

Gomez is a ruthless warrior, and Fuente Ovejuna is a spoil of war for him. When he returns to Fuente after a successful retaking of Ciudad Real, the townspeople shower him with earthly and earthy gifts. But he wants more – specifically, he wants Laurencia, the most beautiful girl in town, newly betrothed to Frondoso. And what he wants, he takes.

The people of Fuente Ovejuna are indeed simple. They are impoverished farmers who depend on one another. They spend time arguing whether love exists.

Now on stage at Trinity Repertory Company, “Fuente Ovejuna” is a powerful piece of theater.

Gomez (Fred Sullivan Jr) is an evil man – you’ll love to loathe him. When a victim cries out for mercy, he answers simply, “I have none.” When Gomez goes too far, the people of Fuente Ovejuna are faced with a dilemma. Do they go to Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand to petition for help, or do they take matters into their own hands?

“Fuente Ovejuna” is expertly adapted by Curt Columbus from a 16^th century work by Lope de Vega, and directed by Mark Valdez.

Terrific costuming and set design coupled with stark lighting and live music sets the stage perfectly, with very little to distract you from some strong acting. Octavia Chavez-Richmond is compelling as Laurencia, the young girl who gets the people to rise up against Gomez. Joe Wilson Jr is equally compelling as Laurencia’s father, the mayor of Fuente Ovejuna, torn between his duties to the town and his obligations as a father. And Sullivan is loatheworthy as Gomez. There’s not a single reason to like this character, yet Sullivan manages to mix a tiny bit of humanity into his evilness.

“Fuente Ovejuna” is a story of war, but overarching that is a story of love. A story of a people rising up against oppression. A story that rings true today, even set in 1476 in a countryside haunted by famine and unrest.

Odds are good you’ll join in the chant, “Soy Fuente Ovejuna.” This is theater worth seeing.

[Trinity Repertory Company presents “Fuente Ovejuna” through June 11. Call the box office at 401.351.4242 or visit www.trinityrep.com for tickets and information.]