Indian Princesses at La Jolla Playhouse

Five girls, their fathers and the mess of growing up.

In the summer of 2008, five young girls of color and their white fathers show up at a community center. With emotions ranging from excited to downright suspicious, some are more ready than others to embark on this adventurous – albeit misguided – father-daughter bonding program. Over their time together, the fathers and daughters navigate the joy and confusion of childhood amidst myriad challenges: burgeoning friendships, unfulfilled crushes, intergenerational struggles, grief, financial insecurity and the frustration of not being seen for who you truly are.

Eliana Theologides Rodriguez is an exhilarating new voice whose work centers on young women and the complexities of race, heritage and family. Indian Princesses is based on a real-life father-daughter YMCA program she participated in as a child – which still exists today under different names.

Laugh-out-loud funny and delicately tender, this delightful new play illuminates the quirky, messy, and magical moments of growing up. As this patchwork group struggles to push through difficult conversations, they eventually discover the power, connection, and love that is gained when they do.