José Fernández Premieres *Fuenteovejuna* as Part of Melilla's Classical Theater Series

Actor José Fernández has premiered *Fuenteovejuna*, one of the seminal works of Spanish theater written by Lope de Vega, as part of the Melilla Classical Theater Series held at the Hospital del Rey from July 15 to 18, playing Frondoso, one of the leading characters in this production by Sibila Teatro.

For José Fernández, this new project marks an important step in his professional career as a theater, film, and television actor, as he takes on a role in an essential work of the Spanish classical repertoire. Playing Frondoso presents an artistic challenge due to the depth of the character and the dramatic power of a story that continues to resonate with audiences more than four centuries after its creation.

In this new production of *Fuenteovejuna*, José Fernández shares the stage with Andrea Vargas, Ignacio Rengel, Ana Jiménez, Paco Pozo, Fede Ruiz, José Vera, Carmen Carrique, and Pilar Escobar, as part of the Sibila Teatro cast. The production is directed by Ceres Machado, who, together with Julia Fortana, has adapted this classic by Lope de Vega, preserving the essence of one of the great works of world theater.

The production's set design and costumes were created by Álvaro Sola, giving this staging—presented as part of Melilla's Classical Theater Series—its own unique visual identity.

For José Fernández, bringing Frondoso to life means delving into one of the most iconic characters of Spanish Golden Age theater. His role in the story—marked by courage, love, and the defense of justice—makes this character an essential figure in *Fuenteovejuna*, a play that remains relevant today due to the contemporary nature of the themes it addresses.

Written by Lope de Vega, *Fuenteovejuna* is considered one of the great masterpieces of Spanish theater. Its exploration of justice, collective solidarity, and dignity in the face of the abuse of power has ensured that it continues to be performed on stages around the world and remains part of the universal cultural heritage.

With this premiere, actor José Fernández continues to expand his artistic horizons with new projects related to classical theater, adding to his body of work the portrayal of a character of great significance in the history of Spanish theater.

This project reaffirms José Fernández's commitment to acting and to bringing to life characters from different eras and styles, further solidifying his career as an actor in theater and film productions.