‘Don Juan’ Thrives on Bilingual Compassion

Forget the good looks and hypnotizing charm; this boy is bad to the bone. Don Juan laughs at caution, sneers at repentance and, in so doing, dooms himself to hell’s eternal flames.

Or so the story usually goes.

Spanish writer Jose Zorrilla took the legend in a different direction, opting for surpassing compassion instead of fire and brimstone. His “Don Juan Tenorio” is saved by a woman’s devotion and God’s love.

Zorrilla’s 1844 verse drama remains popular in many parts of the world, but it’s little known among English speakers of the United States. This is just the sort of imbalance the Bilingual Foundation of the Arts has spent 25 years trying to address and, for its anniversary season, it is unveiling a new adaptation of the play. The same cast performs in Spanish and English on alternating weekends at the Los Angeles Theatre Center.

There are moments of lyrical beauty in this adaptation by BFA artistic director Margarita Galban and Lina Montalvo, translated into English by Margarita Stocker. And at last Friday’s English-language opening, the actor in the title role, telenovela star Luis Fernandez, baptized himself with tears during his salvation scene, bringing the story to an emotional resolution.

Still, this is a stubbornly static drama, with much of the action described after the fact. In her dual function as director, Galban attempts to enliven the goings-on with broad physical humor and flights of melodrama, but until the story shifts entirely into present near the end, it never quite catches fire.

Set in Seville, Spain, in 1545, the action focuses on Don Juan’s bid to cause more scandal than another young rogue, Don Luis (John Paul). In a showy final flourish, Don Juan sets out to win both Don Luis’ fiancee, Dona Ana (Ana Rey), and a novice about to take her vows, Dona Ines (Rosita Fernandez).

As Don Juan, Venezuelan actor Fernandez commands the show. He is handsome in a sweet, almost pretty way, which he uses to good effect as both spoiled brat and irresistible womanizer. He swaggers through barrooms, then practically sings words of love.

In a scene as beautiful as it is horrifying, he caresses and sweet-talks a dazzled Dona Ines while removing her white novice’s wimple--arrogantly stealing her from God. But in that moment, God and Dona Ines begin a patient campaign of their own.

Estela Scarlata delivers one of her typically detailed sets, a stone-walled compound appropriate for the various changes of locale, and lighting designer Kathi O’Donohue paints it with moonlight.

*

* “Don Juan Tenorio,” a Bilingual Foundation of the Arts presentation at the Los Angeles Theatre Center, 514 S. Spring St., downtown Los Angeles. Thursdays-Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 3 p.m. In Spanish this weekend and Oct. 22-Nov. 1. In English, Oct. 15-18 only. $18. (323) 225-4044 or, after hours, (323) 226-1170. Running time: 2 hours, 15 minutes.