Where theatre is most powerful is when it shows you something while telling you. I'll admit I don't know much about the history of Puerto Rico before U.S. colonization, and this play does a stellar job in showing the island's rich history as it is on the precipice of change from U.S. occupation. The characters are rich, the plot compelling, and it leaves you wondering how much has actually changed since 1898.

The community of National Committee readers for the 46th Bay Area Playwrights Festival advanced 1898 OR HOW SUGAR CONQUERED THE ENCHANTMENT as a Semi-Finalist at Playwrights Foundation. We were compelled by this story of American capitalist seduction on an influential family that becomes complicit, with the energy and pace as the monster of colonialism tries to consume the young. We were highly engaged by the play's rhythms, poetic imagery, and hope in the midst of impending injustices. We hope this play is considered for further development and investigation, and finds dedicated collaborators in this play’s journey towards production. #BAPF46

As a National Committee Reader for the Bay Area Playwrights Festival, I was introduced to this play that takes place in Puerto Rico, where a family's coffee plantation is impacted by the arrival of an investor, revealing secrets within the family, while also taking everything from them. This wonderfully structured play embraces Gothic horror elements, engaging monologues and a strong soundscape - all meant to take audiences into the haunting Enchantment. This play focuses on the impact of power, secrets and most daunting of all, a scary change, all the while leaving hope for the island's people.