Blinn-Bryan Theatre Troupe opens new season with the family-friendly 'Carmela Full of Wishes'

Tickets are available at www.blinn.edu/boxoffice

September 29, 2023

The Blinn-Bryan Theatre Troupe (BBTT) invites the community to the Bryan Campus as it opens its 2023-24 season with a family-friendly show that will delight audiences of all ages.

Directed by Dr. Evleen Nasir, Theatre Arts Instructor, “Carmela Full of Wishes” is adapted by Alvaro Saar Rios and based on the children’s book by the Newbery Medal and Caldecott Honor-winning team of author Matt de la Peña and illustrator Christian Robinson.

“‘Carmela Full of Wishes’ is an amazing, adorable, fun story that I think connects to everyone no matter where you’re from or how old you are,” Nasir said. “It’s a heartfelt story that everyone can fall in love with.” 

About the Play

In this ode to family, dreamers, and finding hope in the most unexpected places, young Carmela wakes up on her birthday to discover that her wish has already come true – she finally is old enough to join her big brother as he does the family errands. As they travel through their neighborhood, Carmela discovers a lone dandelion growing in the pavement. Before she can blow it, her brother encourages her to make a wish.

“My favorite part of this play is when we get to be silly,” said Lizzete Velez, who plays Carmela. “That’s always so much fun, isn’t it? It’s fun to try a lot of different ways of playing a scene and finally falling into the one that you really like and you say, ‘Yes, that really works.’”

Seth Arroyo plays Carmela’s older brother Miguel.

“You’ll get a really good laugh and there are some really good moments where you might cry because there are just some heartwarming moments and it’s just really, really beautiful,” he said.

The show is recommended for ages 5 and older and will take place in Blinn-Bryan Student Center Room F-120 at 6 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Oct. 5-7, and at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 8. The play will be the BBTT’s entry in the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival.

Ticket Information

All four performances of “Carmela Full of Wishes” will take place at the Blinn College-Bryan Campus Student Center in Room F-120 and parking is available after 5 p.m. on weekdays and anytime on weekends. A campus map is available at www.blinn.edu/bryan.

Tickets are $5 and are available at www.blinn.edu/boxoffice. Patrons also can purchase $20 season tickets that include upcoming productions of “Miss Bennet,” “Constellations,” and the musical “[title of show].” Season production will take place on the Blinn-Bryan Campus and at locations throughout the Brazos Valley.

The Upcoming Season

In addition to “Carmela Full of Wishes,” the upcoming season includes three acclaimed productions:

• “Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley,” by Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon, Nov. 28-Dec. 1;
• “Constellations” by Nick Payne, Feb. 15-18, 2024;
• “[title of show]” with music and lyrics by Jeff Bowen and the book by Hunter Bell, April 18-21 and 24-25, 2024.

Following each Thursday performance throughout the season, the cast and crew invites audiences to join them for a question-and-answer “Talk Back” session.

“We are looking forward to another exciting season of award-winning productions,” Drama Professor Greg Wise said. “Each of these shows highlights the limitless possibilities of the world around us and the power of our dreams in making that world a better place.”