PORTLAND – The Two Lights Theatre Ensemble will present “El Cid” by Pierre Corneille at 8 p.m. on June 18 to 20 and June 22 to 26 at the St. Lawrence Arts Center. The show then reprises Aug. 27, 28 and 29 at The Theatre at Monmouth.

A Romeo and Juliet kind of story, “El Cid” is considered to be a masterpiece of French classic theater. It’s a passionate epic where true love fights the demands of honor and family duty. In order to repair an affront made to his father, Rodrigue will have to choose between Chimène, his true love, and vengeance. Chimène will have to choose between her duty to her father’s memory and her love for Rodrigue. As background to their poignant love story is the ongoing war between the Spanish Christians and the Muslim Moors.

Since “El Cid” is set under the heat of the Spanish sun, director Emmanuelle Chaulet is including flamenco dancing, live music and sword fighting in the production. The show also includes slide projections of photographs of Spanish art and landscape by French artist Jean-Pierre Rousset.

On Saturday, June 19, an art auction fund-raiser will begin at 6 p.m. in the lobby of the St. Lawrence center to benefit the Two Lights ensemble. A post-show discussion will follow the Tuesday, June 22, show.

The Two Lights ensemble is located at 76 Congress St. Tickets are $15 for the general public, $10 for seniors, and $8 for students and children. People can obtain tickets by calling (207) 839-9819, e-mailing twolightstheatre@hotmail.com or going online at www.twolights.org.

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