On Día de los Muertos, when the veil between this life and the afterlife is at its thinnest, a girl travels through the underworld searching for her dead mother. This is just the start of Maya’s chilling journey in Delondra Williams’ “Skeleton Stories,” which is making its Northern California debut at American River College Theatre Nov. 20th. Filled with symbolism both eerie and enchanting, this riveting drama runs through Dec. 6^th in the intimate Stage Two theatre at the college.

As Maya embarks on her journey, she meets spirits who tell their stories of life and death, shadowing Maya’s own journey from this life to the afterlife, from girl to woman, from grief to acceptance. These stories, some filled with seemingly senseless loss and violence, others with tremendous sacrifice and beauty, were inspired by Williams’ exploration of Mayan and Aztec cultures. According to Mayan myth, the souls of the dead had to follow a yellow dog on a horrific and watery path and endure myriad challenges before they could rest in the afterlife. This is the journey young Maya must take to reach her mother.

“Skeleton Stories,” directed by Pamela Downs, explores the ancient bones that lie just underneath the skin of modern culture, challenging our societal attitudes toward death and transformation. “Maya’s journey… isn’t just learning about what life is,” says Williams, “it’s also about learning to get her hands dirty, and seeing disgusting things, and realizing that people can be depraved sometimes and that they can be beautiful sometimes and that there’s sadness. And you have to wade through it all.” That this journey includes visions both macabre and whimsical makes “Skeleton Stories” all the more powerful and a fascinating celebration of love, death, and the next world. (Rated R for adult language and situations)

All performances of “Skeleton Stories” will be at the American River College’s Stage Two Theatre, 4700 College Oak Drive, Sacramento. Sat/Sun parking is free in Lot “D” at the corner of College Oak and Myrtle, adjacent to the theatre. Thurs/Fri parking is $2. Ticket prices are $12/general, and $10/student/senior/SARTA. For tickets and information, go to ARCtheatre.org or call the ARC Box Office at (916) 484-8234. “Skeleton Stories” performance days and times are as follows:

Fri/Sat, Nov. 20, 21, 27, 28, Dec. 4, 5 at 8:00 p.m. Sundays, Nov. 22, 29, Dec. 6 at 2:00 p.m. and Thurs, Dec. 3 at 6:30 p.m.

Photos and interviews available upon request by emailing Tracy Shearer at: [email protected] or calling (916) 224-7947.

Source: ARC