Daniel Catan’s “Il Postino”

Neruda (Domingo) and wife Matilde (Cristina Gallardo-Domas).  (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

Neruda (Domingo) is living on an Italian island while in political exile from his home country of Chile.  (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

Domingo and Gallardo-Domas dance during the wedding scene.  (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

The director is Ron Daniels. Riccardo Hernandez designed the costumes. Phillip Bussman created the projections. Jennifer Tipton designed the lighting.  (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

Mario (Charles Castronovo) seeks the love of Beatrice (Amanda Squitieri).  (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

Mario (Castronovo), left, and Giorgio (Vladimir Chernov) are the island’s two-man postal service.  (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

Donna Rosa (Nancy Fabiola Herrera) supports the right-wing politician Di Cosimo (Jose Adan Perez) and disapproves of Mario (Castronovo) courting her niece Beatrice.  (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

Mario (Castronovo) uses poetry to woo Beatrice (Squitieri).  (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

Neruda (Domingo) mentors Mario (Castronovo).  (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

Donna Rosa (Fabiola Herrera), right, wags her finger at Beatrice (Squitieri).  (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

Domingo and Castronovo.  (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

Catan wrote the role of Mario for Rolando Villazon, who then pulled out because of surgery on his vocal cords. Charles Castronovo stepped in and the production was postponed, giving him plenty of time to learn the part.  (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

The devotion apparent between Neruda (Domingo) and Matilde (Gallardo-Domas) inspires Mario.  (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

Mario (Castronovo) reads a letter as his father (Gabriel Lautaro Osuna) eats.  (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

Domingo and Catan seem happy with the results.  (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)