‘Wild Thing’ Defies Gender Conventions Across Four Centuries

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The theater department presents “Wild Thing,” a live-wire mix of swordfights and gender play, slapstick, over-the-top revenge, and a main character who defies the gender conventions of 400 years ago—and nowadays.

“Wild Thing” is a translation of Luis Vélez de Guevara’s Spanish Golden Age play “La Serrana de la Vera” by theater professor Harley Erdman. It is directed by theater department chair Gina Kaufmann and runs in the Rand Theater at the Fine Arts Center Feb. 14-23.

Due to the themes and language in the production, including references to sexual violence and a high body count, the show is recommended for audiences over 14 years old.

Wild Thing introduces audiences to Gila, a fiercely transgressive protagonist who considers herself both a daughter and a man. At first, things are well: Gila is much admired and loved in the small village where she grew up. She’s a great hunter, enjoys a good swordfight, and has a crush on Queen Isabel.

Eventually, however, 17th-century society demands femininity and marriage, and the men Gila encounters are willing to go to violent lengths to enforce obedience — which is when the play shifts into overdrive to follow Gila as she exacts her revenge upon the world.

Erdman is a nationally recognized translator and adaptor of works by Spanish-language playwrights from the 1600s, finding plays that have never been performed in English, often with female characters who break expected gender norms.

“Wild Thing,” seemingly centuries ahead of its time, challenges even modern ideas of gender.

Performances are Feb. 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23 at 7:30 p.m. and Feb. 23 at 2 p.m. There is a school matinee Feb. 15 at 10 a.m.

Tickets are $5 for students and seniors and $15 general admission. Reservations are encouraged. Call 1-800-999-UMAS or visit the Fine Arts Center Box Office online.

This production has been accepted to the Chamizal International “Siglo” Festival of Spanish Classical Theater, to take place in El Paso, Texas in April 2.