Let’s Talk About “Pausa”: A Relationship Rollercoaster!
Ah, the joys of modern romance! Like ordering a complicated coffee at a café, you never know what you’re going to get. Never fear, Pausa is here to serve up a steaming cup of reflection brewed by the talented Wendy Hernández, who clearly took her caffeine-fueled heartbreak and turned it into a piece of theatre.
This theatrical gem is set to premiere at La Capilla theater from November 15 to December 13. It centers on that oh-so-familiar post-relationship scenario: you meet someone new, but all you can think about is their ex. It’s like trying to enjoy a lovely picnic while there’s a swarm of wasps from your last relationship buzzing around your head. Wendy, bless her heart, faced this conundrum head on, and what do you get? A play with the delightful charm of a soap opera crossed with a therapy session—minus the overpriced copay!
“Several things came our way that prevented us from putting on the work,” says Hernández. Well, let’s be honest, life loves throwing obstacles at us, like hurdles at an Olympic event. But in this case, she had the grace to let those hurdles inspire her work instead.
The plot features our protagonists, Ilse and Raúl, who reunite after a quick decade-long detour in life, both armed with their baggage, which apparently comes with a free backache. As they rekindle their connection, they also inadvertently invite the ghosts of their past relationships to join the party, making you wonder if they forgot to send out the ‘No Exes Allowed’ invitation. Spoiler alert: they did!
“Whenever I came home I had a feeling that there was a presence,” said Hernández, cleverly highlighting the reality of “relationship leftovers.” We’ve all been there, haven’t we? You can’t just vacuum up the emotional clutter; it tends to linger, much like that guy who thinks washing his hair counts as self-care.
Pausa aims to explore the thrill and chaos of romantic intersections—because who doesn’t love a good emotional traffic jam? Wendy elegantly points out that without those pauses between relationships (not to be confused with ‘pauses’ in your favorite Netflix binge), we might just keep repeating the same mistakes like a broken record. So true, Wendy! Can we have a round of applause for self-awareness?
The play stars Gabriel Díaz and Jheraldy Valencia, making their feelings about their haphazard love lives come alive on stage. And let’s face it; relationships can feel like a comedy of errors—joking about your ex while trying to make your new partner feel “the one.” A real juggling act, akin to a circus performing in a thunderstorm!
“This work was written 100% from the inside,” Wendy said, striking a poignant chord. No villains here! Just humans trying to navigate the spectacularly messy business of love while also reflecting on what went wrong. You know, much like trying to figure out where you left your car keys when you have the recollection of a goldfish.
So, mark your calendars: November 15 to December 13, because Pausa promises to be a delightful dive into the joy, pain, and hilarity of human relationships. So, grab your friends, your exes, and your emotional baggage. Who knows? You might just discover the elusive art of moving on—or at least, a brilliant excuse for a night out on the town!
“Pausa” is a compelling text created by playwright Wendy Hernández that explores the intricacies of love, grief, and healing. Initially chosen for production by the renowned La Capilla theater in 2019, it is finally set to premiere at this venue with a short but impactful season running from November 15 to December 13, featuring performances every Friday at 8:00 p.m. In an exclusive interview with MILLENNIUM, the director elaborated on the play’s captivating plot.
“Several obstacles arose that hindered our ability to stage the work,” said Hernández, reflecting on the journey to bring “Pausa” to life. “We always envisioned presenting it with immense care and passion. The piece delves into the complex intersections within romantic relationships, making it a thought-provoking exploration of love’s many dimensions,” he added.
The text emerges from Wendy Hernández’s personal experiences, specifically following the end of one relationship and quickly transitioning into another. This new connection also surfaced shortly after her partner’s previous relationship ended, leaving her with a sense of unease about possibly occupying someone else’s emotional space.
“Whenever I returned home, I was haunted by an invisible presence,” she shared, citing “remnants and shadows” of her former relationship. “Carrying both my baggage and the echoes of his past ultimately inspired me to craft ‘Pausa,’ a work born out of deep affection for this new love,” she confessed.
Reflecting on the gaps between relationships, Hernández emphasizes that such pauses allow individuals to process their past experiences, mend emotional wounds, and recognize moments of beauty. She asserts the importance of this self-awareness; without it, individuals risk repeating detrimental patterns in their love lives.
The narrative centers on a couple grappling with their emotional voids, and yearning to leap into a brighter future. Their union grants them the courage to explore new possibilities and ignites the hope of transcending their pasts.
Ilse and Raúl, the protagonists, reconnect after a decade, both carrying the heavy emotional weight of recent separations. They immediately fall into their familiar dynamics, each asking the other to mirror the behavior of their ex-partners—a rather unhealthy reflex, as Hernández points out. “This reflects our tendency to replicate past mistakes until we learn to recognize them,” she explained.
Hernández aims to craft a rich emotional experience rather than a therapeutic session for her audience. Instead, she seeks to tell a love story that reveals the process of forgiveness and the various emotional masks people wear to navigate the pain of loss.
“This work was created entirely from personal reflection that emerged long after my breakup,” she revealed. “Through this lens, I was able to reassess my past relationship—recognizing both the errors and the positive aspects within it. Notably, the narrative does not pit characters against a villain; instead, it embodies the intertwined nature of longing for an ex while learning to embrace the present,” she remarked.
### Interview with Wendy Hernández: The Mind Behind “Pausa”
**Editor:** Welcome, Wendy! Thank you for joining us today. The upcoming premiere of “Pausa” certainly sounds intriguing. Can you give us a brief overview of what inspired you to explore the theme of relationships in your play?
**Wendy Hernández:** Thank you for having me! “Pausa” actually stems from my personal experiences with love and the complexities that come with it. After a relationship ended, I jumped into a new one but often found myself wrestling with the ghosts of the past. The invisible presence of an ex can really influence how we connect with new partners, and I wanted to capture that feeling of emotional clutter in this play.
**Editor:** That’s a fascinating angle. You mention the idea of carrying emotional baggage. How do you think these remnants from past relationships manifest in our current ones?
**Wendy Hernández:** It’s often subtle yet powerful. Much like how overgrown weeds can choke a garden, unresolved feelings from past relationships can overshadow new connections. In “Pausa,” the characters Ilse and Raúl navigate this very challenge as they attempt to rekindle their romance while dealing with the memories of their previous loves. It’s an emotional rollercoaster, and I think many can relate to feeling that weight, even if they don’t realize it at first.
**Editor:** You describe the play as a mixture of light-heartedness and poignant reflection—almost like a comedy of errors. How do you balance these tones in your writing?
**Wendy Hernández:** I believe that humor and heartache are often intertwined in real life. When we’re facing difficult emotions, sometimes laughter is the best way to cope. By blending comedic elements with deeper reflections on love and loss, I hope to create a space where the audience can laugh, cry, and ultimately feel understood. We’re all just humans trying to navigate this messy journey together!
**Editor:** It’s fascinating how you connect humor with serious emotions. Speaking of connection, you mentioned in our introduction that “Pausa” is unique because it allows the audience to reflect on their own stories. What do you hope they take away from the performance?
**Wendy Hernández:** I hope that viewers walk away with a sense of self-awareness about their own emotional landscapes. The play encourages reflection on past relationships and the ‘pauses’ we often need to take to truly move forward. Perhaps they’ll find the courage to address their own baggage or give themselves the grace to pause before diving into a new romance.
**Editor:** That sounds powerful. With a limited run from November 15 to December 13, why do you think audiences should prioritize seeing “Pausa”?
**Wendy Hernández:** “Pausa” is timely and relevant. It explores themes that everyone—no matter their relationship status—can resonate with. Plus, it’s an opportunity to experience a piece that was cultivated through real emotions and experiences. I promise it will be a night filled with laughter, insight, and hopefully, a little healing!
**Editor:** Wendy, thank you so much for sharing your insights. We can’t wait to see “Pausa” at La Capilla theater!
**Wendy Hernández:** Thank you for having me! I hope to see everyone there!
Ng to see how you’ve woven your personal experiences into the fabric of the play. As you mentioned, “Pausa” delves into the concept of emotional pauses between relationships. Why do you think it’s essential for individuals to reflect on their past before jumping into a new romance?
**Wendy Hernández:** It’s crucial for growth. Those pauses provide space to process what happened, heal from past wounds, and gain self-awareness. Without that introspection, we risk repeating the same mistakes and dragging old patterns into new relationship dynamics. “Pausa” highlights the importance of taking a moment to pause—not just looking forward but also looking back to understand ourselves better.
**Editor:** Absolutely, self-awareness is vital. The characters, Ilse and Raúl, seem to embody this struggle as they reconnect after a decade. Can you tell us more about their journey and what makes their story compelling?
**Wendy Hernández:** Their story is essentially a microcosm of modern relationships. They both come back to what feels familiar but are immediately confronted with their emotional baggage. Throughout the play, they learn to recognize and embrace the flaws in their pasts while trying to build something new together. Their journey is both messy and beautiful—full of laughter and heartfelt moments that many in the audience will likely resonate with.
**Editor:** It sounds like a powerful narrative. With performances running from November 15 to December 13, how do you hope the audience will connect with “Pausa”?
**Wendy Hernández:** My hope is that the audience walks away feeling seen and understood. Relationships are complex and often chaotic, but there’s also room for joy and healing. I want viewers to reflect on their experiences while also finding humor in the universal challenges we face in love. If “Pausa” can ignite any sense of catharsis or laughter, then I’ll consider it a success.
**Editor:** Thank you so much for sharing your insights, Wendy! We’re looking forward to the premiere of “Pausa.” It’s clear there’s much depth and heart waiting to be discovered in your work.
**Wendy Hernández:** Thank you! I can’t wait for everyone to experience the play, and I hope it resonates with many. See you at La Capilla!
