Literature to Life’s Staged Adaptation of The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao

Wednesday, March 29, 2023 @ 10:30am

Shea Center for Performing Arts
300 Pompton Rd, Wayne, NJ 07470

By Junot Díaz

Adaptation and Direction: Elise Thoron

Performed by Kelvin Grullon

This thrilling adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel chronicles the life of Oscar, an overweight science-fiction enthusiast who dreams of becoming the Dominican J.R.R. Tolkien. Encapsulating magical realism and Dominican-American history, The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao presents audiences with an astonishing vision of the contemporary American experience and explores the endless human capacity to persevere, and risk it all in the name of love.

 The Story

Oscar de Leon is an overweight Dominican boy growing up in Paterson, N.J. who obsesses over science fiction, fantasy novels, falling in love, and the curse that has plagued his family for generations. Despite the endless taunting from friends, family, and foes, Oscar remains true to himself, as the family curse declares its power and the violence of Oscar's family history collides with his present.

 In Performance

This Literature to Life presentation features the delicately brutal words of Junot Díaz, detailing the life-long alienation of the love obsessed Oscar as narrated by his unlikely friend, Yunior. Through this 60 minute exploration of brotherhood, fantasy stories, and what it means to be a “Dominican man”, we come to understand the culture of fear and violence that resulted from Trujillo's 30+ years dictatorship of the Dominican Republic, and the importance of facing fear with love.

Appropriate for: high school, college, and community audiences

Please note: this title contains mature content and language.

Free admission. Tickets are not required but you must register in advance.