Attention, lovers of literature and good theater! If you thought dictionaries were only good for gathering dust on the bookshelf or helping you out of a tight spot with schoolwork, you need to discover the fascinating and irreverent story of María Moliner. The play El Diccionario comes to the Teatro de las Artes at Cenart to demonstrate that defining the world is also a subtle and powerful statement against the system.
This moving production by the National Theater Company (CNT) of INBAL not only celebrates a decade since its first applause on Mexican stages, but also pays tribute to the 60th anniversary of the Diccionario de Uso del Español (DUE), the monumental gem that this courageous librarian and lexicographer, María Moliner, published in 1966 with Editorial Gredos.
Written by Manuel Calzada Pérez and directed by Enrique Singer, the plot immerses us in the mind of a woman who, armed only with index cards and infinite patience, stood up to the Royal Spanish Academy itself to prove that freedom travels through words.
To bring this biographical journey to life, the stage is graced by a splendid cast. The lead is the renowned actress Luisa Huertas, recently awarded the 2025 Ariel Award for Best Actress and the Silver Mayahuel at the 2026 FICG for her impeccable career. Alongside her, the brilliance of veteran actors Óscar Narváez and Arturo Ríos, along with the talent of Roldán Ramírez, complete the weaving of an intimate and moving atmosphere.
Dates, times, and ticket prices
If you’ve already pictured yourself in a seat, grab your calendar and mark it down: the very short run is from June 4 to 20. Regular showtimes are Thursdays and Fridays at 8:00 p.m., Saturdays at 7:00 p.m., and Sundays at 6:00 p.m. Please note that the performance on Thursday, June 11, has been canceled, but will be replaced by a special performance on Wednesday, June 10, at 8:00 p.m.
General admission is just$150, and there are unmissable promotions like the traditional 50-peso Thursdays, as well as attractive 2-for-1 deals on Wednesdays online and Fridays at the box office.
Don’t miss the chance to enjoy the endearing play El Diccionario at the Cenart, an enduring reminder that, in the face of the rigidity of power, words will always have the last word.
