Augusta University’s upcoming theater production has hints of “The Wizard of Oz” with touches of Narnia but with a modern twist.
Just as Dorothy from “The Wizard of Oz” learned that what she needed was always within her, the main characters in “Maricela de la Luz Lights the World” learn they have the power inside them to stand up for what is right and change their world. In the process, they find their own voices and become the heroes of their story.
It was their particular voices that drew freshman Hannah Quesada to the play and the role of Maricela.
“My favorite part about this show and my character and the thing that made me in the first place was the Latino representation in it. It is the first show that I’ve done in my many years of theater that I’ve been able to speak Spanish. My family is Costa Rican; I’m super proud of it. I love speaking Spanish,” said Quesada, who is excited about sharing her culture through the performances.
In this show, Maricela and her brother (for AU’s version the character has been changed to a sister) are at a San Diego mall at Christmas time when it begins snowing and polar bears and penguins arrive. Soon the siblings realize they aren’t in San Diego anymore as they meet several characters such as the Moon and Sun gods on their journey home.
José Rivera, the first Puerto Rican screenwriter to be nominated for an Academy Award for the movie “The Motorcycle Diaries,” published the play in 1998 as a commission for Seattle Children’s Theatre, and it premiered in the San Diego suburb of La Jolla, California.
Augusta University professor Melanie O’Meara first experienced the play on the technical side while an undergraduate at Georgia Southern University.
“I did the lights for it and always loved it,” she said.
When looking for a show to present to audiences this fall, “Maricela” popped into her mind, and her actors are glad it did.
Ruth Morales, who plays Maricela’s sister Riccarda, echoes Quesada’s sentiments.
“This is the first opportunity where I get to represent my community,” she said.
Even though, the play was written with children in mind, Morales believes people of all ages can enjoy it.
“The message is not only for kids but adults,” she said.
“Maricela de la Luz Lights the World” will be performed at 7 p.m. Nov. 6-8 and at 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 9 at the Grover C. Maxwell Performing Arts Theatre.
Tickets are free for AU/EGSC students, faculty, and staff with a valid JagCard and area students with ID; $10 for the public; $7 for alumni, adults 60 years old and older and military. Go here for tickets.
Charmain Z. Brackett, the publisher of Augusta Good News and Inspiring: Women of Augusta, has covered Augusta’s news for more than 35 years. She’s won multiple Georgia Press Association awards, is the recipient of the 2018 Greater Augusta Arts Council’s media award and was named Augusta Magazine’s best local writer in 2024 and 2025. Reach her at charmain@augustagoodnews.com. Sign up for the newsletter here.
