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Based on historical reality, this is the story of a woman who by her very persona, dignity, and grace made a significant contribution toward changing the ethos of her turbulent culture to an ethos of peace (which has sustained in Costa Rica for 70 years now). We desire to share this story hoping “the spirit of Soledad” will grow among our current cultures toward the goal of peace, and away from current trends. Please see www.ohsoledad.com for further details (Outline, Script, Endorsements, etc., and especially the celebrated Soundtrack).

This work was written to address the question “How and why did Costa Rica become a nation of peace, as opposed to its neighbors of similar heritage? And “How can we now benefit from this example & lesson?”

 

“OH SOLEDAD” is historical fiction in the genre of a 2 Act Book Musical, using the model of an intermittent narrator/major character (Diego) - as in Doctor Zhivago.  It has 8 characters (via 6 actors) & is set in both Central and North America mostly in the 1940’s.  Its running time is 2 hours 2 minutes, with 22 Scenes & Sub-scenes, 9 Settings, 17 Scene-Location changes, 16 songs & 5 dances.  Prior to Covid, “OH SOLEDAD” had been accepted for production by The Players Theatre (for its Off-Broadway Debut & a 5 week run), The Hudson Guild (Summerfest), The Rave Festival, & others.  An applauded “Reading with music” was held at the Curry Estate, Hopewell Junction, NY in Aug 2022.

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Act 1 introduces the above and the turbulent times found in both the U.S and in Costa Rica from the effects of WWII.  It develops the character of Soledad from her youth and position in Costa Rican society and her mission to serve her people within this context.  Her successful efforts to lobby and free her sister (& her German-born Costa Rican husband) from a U.S Internment Camp proved this calling and brought her notable fame and honor and a bright anticipated future in Costa Rican affairs.

Then, suddenly, she falls madly in love and is “whisked away” to America and uprooted from all such expectations causing many conflicts.  Such conflicts include the perceived disruption of service to her people, the disruption of the relationship with her mother, and also with her sisters, family and friends in Costa Rica. This is compounded by the growing political unrest in Costa Rica (brewing from before the end of the war).

The later portion of Act 1 shows how Soledad begins to strategize to overcome these tensions and conflicts.  She “brought her babies home” and visits and loves and nurtures her people in the context of “her new normal”.

Act 1 ends/ Act 2 then begins with news of the Revolution of 1948 (in which c.2000 of her countrymen were killed), thus significantly threatening even the strategies of “her new normal”.

Act 2 then proceeds to show how Soledad successfully fought to overcome these new obstacles by continuing to implement her stayed course repeatedly over many years thereby nurturing these relationships and fulfilling her mission of service to her people.

The Finale then summarizes and celebrates her victorious and fruitful life & that of her nation itself. 

 

This is a great lesson of peace for all of us and for our current world.

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