Becton’s Spanish III Honors students have recently visited New York City to see the play En El Tiempo de Mariposas, a theatrical production of Julia Alvarez’s novel In the Time of the Butterflies.

En El Tiempo de Mariposas is based on three sisters who were members of the underground movement opposing the regime of the dictator Rafael Trujillo and is narrated through the memories of one of the women.

“En El Tiempo de Mariposas is a play that students can relate to because it gives them the ability to compare their family life and their current living situation with the Mirabal sisters. They can see the difference of being able to speak your mind versus living under a dictatorship,” said Spanish Instructor Ms. Sanchez.

“I thought the play was outstanding. This trip was more serious and historically based. It focused on actual events in history and everyday principles of the given time. My favorite part probably had to be when the sister and driver described how they died. It was an extremely moving and powerful scene,” commented Junior Veronica Hernandez. “The plot was also interesting since it was based off of an actual dictatorship in the Dominican Republic,” added Senior Timothy Reid.

Everyone enjoyed different aspects of the show and focused their attention to the scenes that appealed to them most. “I appreciated the entire play but was especially touched by the scene when the youngest sister revealed she wanted to be part of the movement. She wanted to be a Mariposa, which was the code name for ‘Butterfly’,” noted Ms. Sanchez.

Math Teacher Mr. Jasinski, who also chaperoned the trip, mentioned that the cast was very talented and played their parts perfectly.  “They were very animated and dramatic,” he said.

Ms. Sanchez noted that she recommends Repertorio Espanol plays to her students, especially if they want to fully immerse in the Spanish language. She believes that the theater, the staff, the actors and the overall play selections are great.

Once the students arrived back to East Rutherford, they enjoyed authentic Mexican food at Taqueria Los Gueros. “I believe this trip was more successful than the trip taken to see La Gringa because the play referenced true historical events of the Dominican Republic. Also, after the play, students were able to eat at a Mexican restaurant, which I believe added to the overall experience,” Ms. Sanchez said.