Copyright 2005
Long Wharf Theatre/
New Mass. Media, Inc.
The Romance of Magno Rubio
by
Lonnie Carter
With Additional Filipino Text by
Ralph B. Pena
Based on a short story written by
Carlos Bulosan
Seen in March 2005
At the Long Wharf Theatre
222 Sargent Drive, New Haven, CT
Synopsis:
The Romance of Magno Rubio tells the hard luck tale of Magno, a simple farm laborer who won’t let hardship or heartbreak mar his hopeful spirit. Magno Rubio is a Filipino migrant worker who labors in the farms of California during the 1930s, and dares to dream of a future with a white American woman, Clarabelle. When Magno “meets” Clarabelle through a “lonely hearts” ad his fellow workers try to warn him against this risky and irrational love affair. Undeterred by legal and social prohibitions, the diminutive Magno Rubio naively pursues his long-distance courtship. Unable to read or write, Magno pays one of his friends to pen long, heartfelt love letters to Clarabelle. After sending letter after letter, and larger and larger gifts, Magno finally proposes, and Clarabelle accepts – if he’ll wire her a large sum of cash for her long trip from Arkansas!
Directed by:
Loy Arcenas
Starring:
Arthur Acuna as Nick
Ron Domingo as Prudencio
Jojo Gonzalez as Magno
Narciso Lobo as Atoy/Clarabelle
Orville Mendoza as Claro
This digital library was created for educational purposes only in fulfillment of a requirement for Southern Connecticut State University's ILS 655, Digital Libraries, Dr. Yan Liu, professor.
Copyright 2010, Julie T. Rio.
