The House of the Spirits at Arizona State University

Caridad Svich's play re-imagines the story of Isabel Allende's The House of the Spirits (1983) through the passionate and resilient spirit of Alba and the women of her family.

The saga of her family reflects happenings from the 1920s through the 1970s, as the country (suggestive of Chile) moves through enormous sociopolitical changes that culminate in a devastating dictatorship.

In her quest to live and not die, Alba evokes the memories of her family's journey, the doer's and victims of violence, the love and passion for life, and the triumph of survival, with the courage to own your story, your history.

Svich says, "I truly believe in the historical and political proposition of The House of the Spirits because it is unfortunately still happening today: the abuse of power, the exploitation of status, and cruel violence of war, the historical repetitions supported by abusive political agendas to control humanity. "