Forever and A Day opens today, May 29, for a one-weekend run at Arts Mission Oak Cliff. Produced and written by Duran Arturo Lucio, the show is a Latiné, queer dramedy centered on a group of friends coming together over the loss of a loved one. The show is directed April Zavala.
Before tonight’s opening, Lucio discussed how this production has journeyed from his days at the University of North Texas to its current iteration.
“I first wrote Forever and a Day 11 years ago when I was a student at the UNT,” he said by email. ” It was the first [full] length play I ever wrote, and we had so much fun with it. Back in 2020, we did an updated version of the show at Margo Jones Theatre here in Dallas.”
The show would go on to a New York premiere in October 2025 where Forever and a Day opened at the Off-Off Broadway black box stage, Under St. Marks Theater.
“It received rave reviews and it was a part of the Day of the Dead festival,” he said.
Interestingly…
“Until that point, the show was not Latine specific — though it’s always been queer. I rewrote characters and translated lines to Spanish and added some Latin flair and that’s how we ended up with the show in its current — and final — form.”
The show posits the notion of grief and moving on with life after a close death occurs.
If theater creates families, this show certainly proves it. This production brings back cast and creative team from all of the show’s previous runs.
Anthony Ortega originated the role of Allen in 2015, and reprises the character here. Nicole Romero (Christina) was in the 2020 production but as a different character. Ana Armenta (Laura) reprises her character from the New York run. Lucio (Zander) himself starred in the 2020 show and is part of this weekend’s cast in a different role.
Director April Zavala was the sound booth operator in 2015 and Stage Manager Daniel Bergeron was the operator in 2020.
Bringing this to life again has deep significance for Lucio and his own identity.
“In a time when Latinos in this country are being ripped from their homes, and when queer rights are being erased in front of our very eyes, I proudly wear my Gay Mexican [label] as a badge of honor,” he said. “This show is made with love for my heritage and being. We need to be louder, prouder and celebrate ourselves because it’s clear there are people that don’t think we should exist.”
Forever and a Day plays today and Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m. at Arts Mission Oak Cliff. For tickets, click here.
–Rich Lopez