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Psychological Drama 'The Delicate Tears of the Waning Moon' Explores Human Rights Violations Against Journalists

Arts and Entertainment

March 26, 2025

From: Los Angeles Theatre Center

Los Angeles, CA - Victims in search of justice. Latino Theater Company brings Chicago’s Water People Theater back to Los Angeles for a three-week run of The Delicate Tears of the Waning Moon following the show’s success as part of last season’s Encuentro theater festival. Written by acclaimed Venezuelan playwright, actress and human rights advocate Rebeca Alemán and directed by Iraida Tapias, the Jeff Award-nominated drama opens May 3 at The Los Angeles Theatre Center in downtown Los Angeles. Performances continue through May 25, with two low-priced previews taking place on May 1 and May 2. All performances feature Spanish supertitles.

A taut psychological drama, The Delicate Tears of the Waning Moon is set in 2019 somewhere in Latin America. Somewhere in a country immersed in violence and corruption, a world where cruelty is habit, impunity is routine, liberty is utopian and revealing the truth poses the greatest danger of all. Alemán stars as Paulina, a human rights journalist and advocate for victims of femicide and indigenous communities. After surviving a vicious attack that left her in a coma, Paulina struggles to regain her memory. With fellow journalist Rodrigo (Eric K. Roberts) at her side, she must painstakingly piece together the truth in order to demand justice. Based on true events, this powerful and poetically stirring drama addresses the relentless violation of human rights against journalists who strive to report the truth.

“The Delicate Tears of the Waning Moon emerged from a profound need to raise my voice and draw attention to femicide and violence against journalists,” says Alemán. “The harrowing true stories of Miroslava Breach and Anabel Flores, two Mexican journalists brutally silenced for speaking truth and seeking justice, inspired me.”

The production premiered in 2019 at the Chicago International Theater Festival, earning Jeff Award nominations for Alemán and Tapias. It received its off-Broadway premiere last July at New York's Teatro Repertorio Español, where it was performed in Spanish with English supertitles. In October, it received six performances as part of Latino Theater Company’s Encuentro 2024: We Are Here – Presente! national Latiné theater festival.

The creative team includes scenic designer Marisabel Munoz, lighting designer Alejandro Melendez and costume designer José Manuel Díaz. Sound is designed by Tapias and Maydi Diaz, and projections are designed by Stephanie RodriguesMarisabel Munoz and Carlos Marcano. The production manager is May Congxiao Fei.

As it enters its 40th year in 2025, Latino Theater Company was named to the Los Angeles Times “Best of Latino L.A.” list, and artistic director José Luis Valenzuela has been named the 2024 recipient of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation’s Gordon Davidson Award for lifetime achievement and distinguished service in the national not-for-profit theater. The Latino Theater Company is dedicated to providing a world-class arts center for those pursuing artistic excellence; a laboratory where both tradition and innovation are honored and honed; and a place where the convergence of people, cultures and ideas contribute to the future. The company has operated The Los Angeles Theatre Center since 2006, producing hundreds of plays, creating over 4000 jobs and helping hundreds of nonprofit organizations by providing space and resources. The City, recognizing the Latino Theater Company for its “effective first-class theater center operations,” recently extended the company’s initial 20-year lease for an additional 30 years, through 2056.

What:
Victims in search of justice. Latino Theater Company brings back Chicago’s Water People Theater for a three-week run of the Jeff Award-nominated The Delicate Tears of the Waning Moon following the show’s success as part of last season’s Encuentro theater festival. Inspired by true events, this powerful and poetically stirring drama addresses the relentless violation of human rights against journalists who strive to report the truth. All performances feature Spanish supertitles.

Who:
- Written by Rebeca Alemán
- Directed by Iraida Tapias
- Starring Rebeca Alemán and Eric K. Roberts
- Produced by The Latino Theater Company in association with Water People Theater

When:
- Previews: May 1 and May 2
- Performances: May 3 – May 25
Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m.; Sundays at 4 p.m.

Where:
The Los Angeles Theatre Center
514 S. Spring Street
Los Angeles CA 90013

Parking:
- $8 with box office validation at Los Angeles Garage Associate Parking structure, 545 S. Main St., Los Angeles, CA 90013 (between 5th and 6th Streets, just behind the theater)
- Metered parking available on streets surrounding the theater.
- Take the Metro: nearest stop is Pershing Square (two blocks west of The LATC)

Ticket Prices:
$10-$48 (except opening night)
- Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays (except opening night, May 3): $48
- Students, Seniors, Veterans and LAUSD teachers: $24 with valid ID
- All Thursday night performances and previews: $10
- Opening night (May 3): $75 (includes post-performance reception)

Photos:
Click here to download high-resolution photos.

How:
latinotheaterco.org
(213) 489-0994