Written by Spanish playwright Federico Garcia Lorca, the Quantum translation is uneven at best. Some of the dialogue flows naturally, some borders on poetic (which makes sense as Lorca was also a poet), and some just painfully go clunk or thud on the ear. (Also, Yerma seems an unusual choice as Lorca’s Blood Wedding and The House of Bernarda Alba are much better texts).

Lorca tackles the same subject that Ibsen also exposed—how society unjustly treats women. But unlike Ibsen’s heroines who commit suicide or choose to face the dishonor of leaving their husbands, Yerma takes an entirely different path.
While overall the cast is quite good, but what saves this production is something Lorca did not include: flamenco dancing. Cihtli Ocampo performs several times during the performance, often reflecting the passions swirling inside Yerma. Ocampo is accompanied by her husband, singer and guitarist Ethan Margolis. Visually stunning to the eye and hauntingly beautiful to the ear, the pair make for the most memorable moments in Yerma.

The play is staged simply—but highly effectively—by Melanie Dryer. Two bales of hay become a bed or a bench; a long swath of blue fabric is a stream. Aided by a variety of projections or back-lit figures, the set by Tony Ferrari and lighting by Deborra Bergmark-Peclor envelope the audience in the world of the play.

Melinda Helfrich delivers a strong portrayal of Yerma, transforming from blushing young bride to maniacal matron. Fermin Suarez is effective as her workaholic husband. Bridget Connors, Laura Mixon and Shammen McCune serve as the chorus playing a variety of roles. McCune is the stand-out of the three. Their best scene is one in which they play gossiping women doing their laundry at the stream.
Jarid Faubel as Yerma’s love interest Juan is tall and handsome as any good love interest should be—but seems stiff and uncomfortable on stage.

Dryer and her cast do an admirable job with this script (and its translation), but one wonders if it would ultimately be worth seeing without the talents of musician Margolis and dancer Ocampo. I have my doubts.

Yerma runs through April 26. For information, visit www.quantumtheatre.com.