Dominican author Anya Damirón is bringing her story El capitán Control to the National Theatre in Santo Domingo as a family musical this September.
The production will run on September 5 and September 6, with performances scheduled at 11:00 am and 4:00 pm on both days. Conceived as an experience suitable for all ages, the theatrical adaptation brings to life a narrative centered on collaboration and peaceful problem solving.
The plot follows a group of characters involved in a conflict without violence, navigating obstacles that test their ability to work together and understand one another. Damirón explained during an announcement event that the piece carries an essential message about teamwork and self-acceptance. She noted that the narrative emphasizes how nobody can accomplish everything alone and highlights that asking for help is a sign of strength rather than weakness.
Anya Damirón is a prominent Dominican children's book author known across the region for crafting interactive stories and multi-platform educational projects. The Eduardo Brito National Theatre, located in Plaza de la Cultura in central Santo Domingo, serves as the premier performing arts venue in the Dominican Republic, regularly hosting opera, ballet, symphonic concerts, and major theatrical productions.
Original Score and Cast
The upcoming stage adaptation features 25 original songs set to a script developed specifically for this production. Joyce Roy is directing the staging, while the original musical score was composed by Bonnet. Bonnet has collaborated with Damirón for several years as the musical developer for her podcast, Hoy quiero contarles.
An 18-member cast will perform in the show, led by actors Kenny Grullón and Tony Almont. Grullón and Almont play key roles as members of the crew of El capitán Control and the story's antagonist, Captain Hurricane. Choreographer Valentina Grillo directed the dance routines for the production, while Luis Armando Rivera served as the vocal coach for the cast.
Damirón highlighted that the production was designed to actively engage the audience rather than offer a passive viewing experience. She noted that the show aims to gather multiple generations around a shared narrative, allowing young children and elderly family members alike to enjoy the performance together.
Expanding Formats and Interactive Books
The theatrical staging represents the latest evolution in Damirón's ongoing exploration of storytelling across diverse mediums. In previous years, the author has presented her work in shopping centers, movie theaters, and symphonic concert halls. She also created the Lápiz mágico, an interactive electronic reader tool designed to enhance how children engage with printed books.
Damirón stated that the stage project is a natural next step in finding new ways for families to experience stories together. She explained that a single narrative can take on different dimensions whether read from a page, spoken aloud, presented in an audiovisual format, or performed live on stage. She added that her team remains passionate about discovering innovative methods to share imaginative stories with children and parents.
Alongside the stage run, El capitán Control is being published as a physical children's book featuring illustrations by Spanish artist José Fragoso. The printed book is designed to work with Damirón's Lápiz mágico tool and integrates the voice recordings of the stage cast. This allows young readers to hear the same actors who portray the characters in the musical, extending the story beyond the theatrical season.
The project details were unveiled at a launch gathering attended by key collaborators, cast members, and community guests, including Joyce Roy, Kenny Grullón, Valentina Grillo, Chalía, Indirita Acosta, Juanma García, Emma Rose Colmenares, Karelis Moreno, Juan Colmenares, Verónica Gómez, Mónica Gómez, Matías Tejeda Gómez, and Johanny de Gómez.
