Courtesy of Yale Repertory Theater

The Yale Repertory Theater brings “Notes on Killing Seven Oversight, Management and Economic Stability Board Members” to Yale audiences from April 25 to May 17.

The play by Mara Vélez Meléndez follows Lolita, a young Boricua trans woman, who arrives at a Wall Street office with a mission to take down all members of Puerto Rico’s Oversight, Management and Economic Stability Board. Upon her arrival, Lolita is greeted by the receptionist, who prepares her to embark on an extravagant, drag adventure for vengeance.

“I am very clear that I want people to laugh rather than cry, because [Puerto Rico] has been crying as a nation for the longest time,” said Vélez Meléndez. “I believe theater has the power to put all these events on stage, laugh at them, and still think about them and live.”

The play centers on the theme of decolonization. More than decolonization of a country, the playwright explores the decolonization of the self and gender. Considering this, it felt essential for the protagonist to be a Puerto Rican trans woman, said Vélez Meléndez.

The specificity of the character has important implications both on and off the stage. On stage, it invites audiences to empathize with a story they might not personally identify with. Off stage, it opens doors for Puerto Rican trans women to play a role that was written specifically for them. 

Playing Lolita is Christine Carmela, who has portrayed the character in every performance since the play’s debut in 2022.

“It’s the only time it’s ever happened in my career that I’ve played a specifically trans Puerto Rican,” said Carmela. “It feels like such a huge reconnection with myself … And with the tumultuous political climate that trans people currently exist in, it feels like a big community building exercise.”

The exuberant receptionist is played by Samora la Perdida. Like Carmela, la Perdida also originated the role. 

While the upcoming show features the same cast from the premiere, the Yale Rep production involves a new director, Javier Antonio González. Antonio González served as the dramaturg for the play’s debut. A Columbia graduate, Antonio González’s interpretation is influenced by their academic and lived experiences.

“Javier is from the island, and grew up in the surveillance state era of Puerto Rico,” said Carmela. “I think that their point of view comes from this very specific form of anger and a very specific ‘we need to do something’ mindset.”

The production tackles intense political themes regarding the United States’ colonial history with Puerto Rico. However, it does so with a lively and colorful form of comedy. Part play and part drag show, audiences can expect an energetic performance that effortlessly melds the eccentricity of drag with the introspective nature of theater.

While comedy is typically associated with intellectual brevity, director Antonio González utilizes humor as a tool to prompt prolonged, critical thinking. 

“In comedy, there is a certain type of nudity,” said Antonio González. “When you take satire, music, video, language, props, the absurd and existential … it is about keeping them honest. It’s like finding ‘the sublime’ in all of this chaos.”

The play’s chaotic and satirical nature complements its political and intellectually challenging themes. Through colorful design elements — such as lighting and costumes — the work literally brings light to the dark machinations of colonial systems.

The technical aspects of the production were supported by students at the David Geffen School, whose curiosity and youthful excitement were inspiring to Vélez Meléndez, she said.

“In an academic setting all these young people are not only excited to do a high octane theatrical play, but they’re also ready to approach it in that ‘big-brain’ sense — like it’s a play full of possibilities,” said Vélez Meléndez. 

Carmela hopes that this play will inspire the youth of Yale’s campus to become more interested in Puerto Rico and its fraught history, as well as its future.  

Within its three-week run, “Notes on Killing Seven Oversight, Management and Economic Stability Board Members” will include two affinity nights. Queer Theater Night will take place May 2 and invites theatergoers to a party at the New Haven Pride Center. 

The Latinx Theater Night on May 16 will be followed by a panel discussion.