Spanish and Latin American mythology often refer to the idea of duende when describing certain modes of artistic expression. A complicated term to translate or define in English, its loose meaning might be surmised as a performance that is so sublime, transcendent, and fully realized that it appears as if some spiritual force has possessed its host.

Spanish and Latin American mythology often refer to the idea of duende when describing certain modes of artistic expression. A complicated term to translate or define in English, its loose meaning might be surmised as a performance that is so sublime, transcendent, and fully realized that it appears as if some spiritual force has possessed its host.

If you walk up Second Avenue from Houston, making your way to the New York Theatre Workshop in the East Village, most likely you’ll see them.

Boots and Nanette appear to be your typical Midwestern couple, staving off the doldrums of winter by constantly shoveling the snow out of the driveway while planning their next beefsteak and spaghetti dinner.