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Los Angeles is getting a fresh take on classic theater this fall.<\/a> LA Escena Festival<\/a> returns to UCLA from September 17 through October 5, 2026, with performances from local and international artists.<\/p>\n Now in its fifth edition, LA Escena is the first Hispanic classical theater festival in Los Angeles. It is organized by UCLA\u2019s Diversifying the Classics.<\/p>\n The festival brings classic Spanish-language plays to modern audiences. It also features new adaptations and original performances inspired by historic works.<\/p>\n And there\u2019s good news for theater fans: LA Escena is free to attend. You just need to reserve your tickets in advance.<\/p>\n What to expect at LA Escena<\/p>\n This year\u2019s festival will take place at UCLA\u2019s Macgowan Hall in Westwood, with a mix of classic plays, modern adaptations, and international performances.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s what you can see:<\/p>\n \ud83c\udfad J\u00f3venes Cl\u00e1sicos: The Spanish theater company will present Amar despu\u00e9s de la muerte and Canciones de Olmedo.<\/p>\n \ud83c\udf3e Donde comen dos, comen tres: This new adaptation by abe zapata jr. is based on Lope de Vega\u2019s El perro del hortelano. Set in 1940s Los Angeles, it follows a Mexican-American family farm.<\/p>\n \u2696\ufe0f Beast Among Men: Nicholas Pilapil\u2019s adaptation of Calder\u00f3n de la Barca\u2019s Life is a Dream explores politics, power, secrets, and ambition.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udcf1 The Liars: Roger Q. Mason\u2019s modern adaptation of Alarc\u00f3n\u2019s La verdad sospechosa follows a social media influencer whose lies start to catch up with him.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udcbc La casa de empe\u00f1os: Christian N\u00e1jera Jim\u00e9nez\u2019s adaptation is inspired by Sor Juana In\u00e9s de la Cruz\u2019s Los empe\u00f1os de una casa.<\/p>\n \u2764\ufe0f Historias amorosas: Paola Izquierdo\u2019s production draws from the works of Sor Juana and Mar\u00eda de Zayas, exploring stories of love, lust, humor, and heartbreak.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udcd6 La Celestina: An Illuminated Lecture: theatre dybbuk will offer a unique take on the classic work, exploring themes of class, gender, and identity.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udc51 The King Born a Woman: The festival concludes with a virtual reading from New York\u2019s Red Bull Theater, presented in collaboration with Diversifying the Classics.<\/p>\n LA Escena Festival schedule<\/p>\n \ud83d\udcc5Thursday, September 17<\/p>\n 7 p.m. \u2014 Historias amorosas no tan ejemplares o lo que pasa en el sarao se queda en el sarao Cristina is cleaning up after a wild party. As she works, she tells stories of love, lust, humor, and heartbreak.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udcc5Friday, September 18<\/p>\n 7 p.m. \u2014 La casa de empe\u00f1os Leonor starts her first day at a pawn shop. There, she finds a copy of Sor Juana\u2019s Los empe\u00f1os de una casa. As she reads, she starts to see similarities between the play and her coworkers.<\/p>\n 8:30 p.m. \u2014 Amar despu\u00e9s de la muerte J\u00f3venes Cl\u00e1sicos presents a love story set during the War of the Alpujarras. The play explores a difficult chapter of Spanish history and its impact on the Morisco community.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udcc5Saturday, September 19<\/p>\n 4 p.m. \u2014 Donde comen dos, comen tres This English-language adaptation is set in 1940s Los Angeles. It follows a Mexican-American family farm after its owner dies.<\/p>\n 7 p.m. \u2014 La Celestina: An Illuminated Lecture theatre dybbuk explores themes of class, gender, identity, and relationships through La Celestina.<\/p>\n 8:30 p.m. \u2014 Canciones de Olmedo This musical adaptation of Lope de Vega\u2019s El caballero de Olmedo features 10 original songs and a tragic love story.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udcc5Sunday, September 20<\/p>\n 2 p.m. \u2014 Beast Among Men A sex worker and politician are connected by a secret in this modern take on Life is a Dream. The play explores power, politics, and ambition.<\/p>\n 3:30 p.m. \u2014 The Liars This modern comedy follows a social media influencer who starts lying to protect his lifestyle and online fame.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udcc5Monday, October 5<\/p>\n 4 p.m. PST \u2014 The King Born a Woman The festival ends with a virtual reading from Red Bull Theater and Diversifying the Classics. The story follows King Charles \u201cthe Fair,\u201d who must hide a major secret about his identity while his kingdom faces unrest.<\/p>\n How to attend<\/p>\n
\ud83d\udccd Where: UCLA Macgowan Hall, Little Theater<\/p>\n
\ud83d\udccd Where: UCLA Macgowan Hall, Little Theater<\/p>\n
\ud83d\udccd Where: UCLA Macgowan Hall, Little Theater<\/p>\n
\ud83d\udccd Where: UCLA Macgowan Hall, Studio Theater<\/p>\n
\ud83d\udccd Where: UCLA Macgowan Hall, Little Theater<\/p>\n
\ud83d\udccd Where: UCLA Macgowan Hall, Little Theater<\/p>\n
\ud83d\udccd Where: UCLA Macgowan Hall, Studio Theater<\/p>\n
\ud83d\udccd Where: UCLA Macgowan Hall, Studio Theater<\/p>\n
\ud83d\udccd Where: Streaming live from New York City<\/p>\n