Actress Suni Reyes plays Dr. Antonia Pantoja at the premiere showing of the play “Chain Reaction.”
Hostos Community College brought the life and legacy of Dr. Antonia Pantoja to the stage with the revival of “Chain Reaction,” a play by Tere Martínez. Directed by Hostos Visual and Performing Arts Professor Ángel Morales, the production premiered yesterday at the Repertory Theater, marking a triumphant return since its original debut in 2011 at the College. Updated with timely elements addressing the ongoing challenges faced by Puerto Ricans, particularly in the aftermath of Hurricane María, the play resonated deeply with its audience.
Hostos President Daisy Cocco De Filippis expressed the significance of this revival in celebrating Dr. Pantoja’s impact as a trailblazing activist and leader.
“This production honors Dr. Antonia Pantoja’s extraordinary life and serves as a reminder of her enduring contributions to education and social justice,” she said. “It is also a testament to the Puerto Rican community's resilience and vital role in shaping Hostos Community College.”
River (AJ Lily) and Coralys (Camelia Elías Sierra) during one of their conversations as friends in the play.
The play masterfully intertwines the story of Antonia Pantoja, portrayed by Suni Reyes, with the struggles of modern Puerto Rican communities. It follows Coralys (Camelia Elías Sierra), a CUNY student displaced by Hurricane María, and her journey alongside River (AJ Lily), her non-binary classmate, and Héctor Santillana (José Joaquín García, with Wilbert Morales portraying Héctor as a teenager), a former participant of Pantoja’s many initiatives. Together, their stories highlight the enduring relevance of Pantoja’s vision and its impact on younger generations.
A young Héctor Santillana (Hostos student Wilbert Morales, standing on a box) recites a poem about his Puerto Rican pride. From left to right, student actors Lisset Domínguez, Ronnie Burgos, and Lady Trejo (far right) joined seasoned actor Antonio Martínez (third from left to right) on stage.
Following the performance, the cast engaged with the audience in an inspiring dialogue, inviting attendees to share their dreams, passions, and personal stories. The evening continued with a thought-provoking Q&A session featuring playwright Tere Martínez and director Ángel Morales.
An older Héctor Santillana (José Joaquín García) and Dr. Pantoja (Reyes) during a surprise encounter.
When asked by the audience about the role of education in preserving Dr. Pantoja’s legacy, Martínez emphasized its transformative power:
“Education is the key that opened doors for her, and she saw the value in that to the point of founding her own university, Boricua College, to continue to impact younger generations,” Martínez explained. “We cannot lose perspective of the fact that being Puerto Rican and understanding your roots and history was central to her. It was her need to show Puerto Ricans why they matter, at a time when 85% of them were dropping out of school, that drove her to create many opportunities and initiatives still active today.”
Precisely, one of the organizations still operating is ASPIRA, which means “aspire” in Spanish, created by the leader and a group of dedicated Puerto Ricans to tackle the alarmingly high dropout rates and low educational attainment among Puerto Rican youth between the 1960s and 1980s.
This revival holds particular significance at Hostos, a college born from the Puerto Rican community's fight for access to higher education. It is here that four Hostos students – Wilbert Morales, Lisset Dominguez, Lady Trejo, and Ronnie Burgos – embody the transformative power of holistic education. Sharing the stage with seasoned actors from New York City and Puerto Rico, they delivered performances filled with artistry and passion, commanding the spotlight and bringing Pantoja’s legacy to life. Their journey from Hostos classrooms to this stage underscores the boundless potential of those who dare to dream and the enduring legacy of a community that fought for opportunities like these.
The cast at the performance’s conclusion.
“This play exemplifies the essence of educational theater: a dynamic collaboration between professional artists, students, faculty, and staff,” said Morales, emphasizing the unity of voices that brought this production to fruition.
Martínez further reflected on the project’s profound relevance, connecting it to Dr. Pantoja’s vision:
“Antonia Pantoja understood that meaningful change in any society begins by listening to young people and equipping them with the tools to recognize their power as agents of transformation. This collaboration is a testament to her legacy, and I am thrilled to see this production revived at such a pivotal moment for our city, our nation, and the world.”
This revival is made possible through sponsorship from the Office of the Chancellor of the City University of New York, with support from the Hostos President’s Office, the Hostos Office of Academic Affairs, the Hostos Student Government Association, and the Hostos Center for the Arts & Culture.
Cast members interacted with the audience.
Performances continue at the Repertory Theater through today, Friday, November 22. For tickets and additional information, please contact the Hostos Box Office at 718-518-4455.
Professor Ángel Morales (far left) and playwright Tere Martínez (far right) during the Q&A