This is the story of a boy growing up in southern Spain during the Franco years—a boy from a poor gitano (Gypsy) family whose release from a harsh life was his love of the flamenco singing that was his heritage—that, and his own growing talents as a singer. We tell his story, then leave him as he becomes a teenager: a teenager already singing professionally. But by that time as well, he’d had to drop out of school, ensuring that his only real career opportunity would be as a flamenco singer, a cantaor.

We’re treated to some great singing in this show. And you can be sure we’re providing an authentic, inside view.

In addition to the singing (cante), the show treats us to vistas of the southern Spanish city of Jerez de la Frontera and stories from Antonio’s childhood and youth using actors in period costumes. His life is part and parcel of the Spain of his era, especially the Spain of gitanos—it also has its special characteristics.

We see his parents working as farm laborers—and who erupt into a flamenco fiesta when there’s the break for lunch. We see Antonio as a 3-4 year old child trying to imitate the great flamenco singers as he sits on the doorstep of his home. We see him cross the ancient city of Jerez with his mother, on their way to the market. Then there;re the children’s games, his first forays into the professional world of flamenco singing—and the beautiful night with the full moon rising over the house his parents built, as he and his 5 sibling prepare to sleep.

Finally, there’s the story of the story of the chocolate—that sweet the tasting of which led to such disastrous consequences