By Joe Contreras, Latin Life Denver Media, (See video trailer below)

I really wasn’t sure what to expect when I arrived at the Wolf Theatre at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts (DCPA) to see Karen Zacarias latest play ‘Destiny of Desire,’ a telenovela with music. I certainly wasn’t expecting to laugh and gasp almost simultaneously for more than two hours, but I along with a packed opening night audience did just that.

I had read several comments on social media about this play with an all Latino cast stating how outstandingly good, funny, and entertaining this production was. Some even stated it was the best play they had seen in a long time and others said, “It’s the most fun you’ll ever have at the theatre.” So, the bar was set pretty high by the time I sat down.

Directed by Marcela Lorca, the play opens in a hospital in the fictional town of Bellarica, Mexico. A thunder storm is brewing as two baby girls are born into the world and into the loving arms of their mothers. Problem is one of the girls is sick with a weak heart and is not expected to live.

Fabiola Castillo, played by (Bianca Marraquin), is a former conniving beauty queen and the mother of the ailing baby. She does not want a sick child as she fears her husband will divorce her or be disappointed with a dying child. She is also desperate to maintain her power and status with her rich and powerful husband, Armando Castillo, (Zeus Mendoza), who is also the owner of the prominent Castillo Casino.

The mother of the healthy baby, Hortensia del Rio, (Francisca Munoz) is beautiful but poor. Her husband Ernesto del Rio is hardworking farmer but together they can’t overcome their impoverished state.

Fabiola schemes with the corrupt doctor, Dr. Mendoza to have the babies switched with only them knowing what has been done. Sister Sonia (Cheryl Umana) who is also a nun and a nurse complies with the scheme but later turns out to be the voice of morality and reason.

Victoria Maria del Rio (Victoria Gomez) is the sick child who survived her ailments and has grown up to be a beautiful young lady. Pilar Esperanza Castillo (Jessica Lopez) has also grown up to be beautiful but poor farmer’s daughter.

Doctor Jorge Ramiro Mendoza (Al Rodrigo) is the head of the hospital with a secret romantic liaison as does his estranged son, Doctor Diego Mendoza, (Adrian Javier). But it is the kind, handsome physician son Dr. Diego Mendoza who performs an emergency heart transplant on Victoria giving her a second chance at life.

What follows is non-stop comedic drama as the poor mother becomes a maid to the rich mother. When the girls turn 18 the consequences of the switch catch up as the two young women cross paths. The plot delivers an emotional rollercoaster of family secrets, mistaken identities, romance, intense drama, sudden twists and lots of laughs.

This theatrical homage to classic Latin American Telenovela delivers high energy performances from a marvelous cast each with their own impressive list of acting credentials. The play is in English with the exception of one of the songs, (The Destiny of Desire) which is the signature theme song for the play and is sung beautifully by the entire cast.

The play features new music by composer and music producer Aldo Max, who uses a blend of musical styles, including Cumbia, Rumba Guaguancó, Son Montuno, Huapango, Tango, Bachata, Merengue, Canción ranchera, and Bolero. Ge Enrique performs most of the music on a grand piano with a melodramatic flair unique to soap operas.

Playwright Karen Zacarias has truly come of age with this play. To say Destiny of Desire is a rip roaring success might be a bit of an understatement. Zacarias, who has reached national prominence as one of most produced playwrights in the U.S. has received numerous accolades including a United Artists Fellowship and a Sine fellowship at the American University of School of Public Policy after being voted “Washingtonian of the Year,” in 2019.

Born in Mexico and growing up in Atlanta, she now lives in Washington, D.C. Her name may be familiar to many here in Denver as she has strong artistic ties to the city. ‘Mariela in the Desert’ and ‘Just Like Us’ both made their world premiers at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. Even parts of Destiny of Desire are set in an abandoned studio theatre in Denver.

With the production of Destiny of Desire, Zacarias has become the most produced female playwright at the DCPA having had four plays staged by the Theatre Company (Mariela in the Desert, Native Gardens, Just Like Us, and Destiny of Desire). Her works have appeared across all three of the company’s main stages.

Destiny of Desire may be Karen Zacarias best work yet. The stage at the Wolf Theatre appeared to be almost too small for such a dynamic production. This show belongs on the Broadway stage and later in the Buell Theatre. It would also be wonderful to see it performed on the local stage by local theatre companies and high schools who could bring it to a more diversified audience. Denver’s Su Teatro Theatre Company recently staged Just Like Us in two different theatre venues.

Destiny of Desire by Karen Zacarias and directed by Marcela Lorca plays the Wolf Theatre at the Denver Center through October 4, 2026.

Servicios de interpretación al español, Spanish Interpretation Services will be available on Saturday, October 3 at 1:30pm. Upon arrival, you will pick up your audio listening device and headset from Patron Services.

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