Reasons not to die

Reasons to not die is a production of the Chilean National Theater, based on a free adaptation of the texts Amanda and Razón de ser by playwright Jorge Díaz. The production explores human existence, memory, identity and resilience through a journey of self-discovery and humor, inviting the audience to reflect on life and overcoming personal and collective adversities.

On stage, a so-called "Trucker's Son" begins a journey through his past—traversed by the loss of his mother—in order to resolve the conflicts of his present, in an attempt to tame the ghosts that refuse to stay there. The reasons not to die, according to the play, lie in love, memory, connection with others and the ability to find humor and meaning even in loss, using the figure of the "Trucker's Son" to represent these generational struggles.

According to Culturizarte, the director presents us with two characters: a man born from a rape, in a context of terrifying words such as torture, disappearance and common grave; and on the other hand, a methodical, curious and tender podiatrist, whose characteristics allow us to approach the dictatorship from a new perspective.

“There is a way to address the issue of the dictatorship that makes people feel uncomfortable… It is not that it becomes a comedy, but there is the possibility of humor,” Marambio said in one of his interviews.

Through the performances of Néstor Cantillana and Carla Casali, the play shows, according to theater critic Patricio Zulantay, "that by strengthening our social ties, many damaged lives can regain strength; that through humor and tenderness, human beings can remain firm, collectively, in the face of adversity."

The Arts Critics Circle awarded Néstor Cantillana as Best Actor 2025 for this role full of humanity and power.

Direction and playwriting: Cristián Marambio | Free version of the texts Amanda and Razón de ser by Jorge Díaz | Direction assistance: Catalina Rozas | Cast: Néstor Cantillana, Carla Casali | Music: Guillermo Eisner | Costume design: Gabriela Torrejón | Scenographic design: Kristian Orellana | Dramaturgical advice: Paulo Olivares | Management: Ana Laura Racz | Communications: Catarina Vásquez | Graphic design: Alonso Morales and Kristian Orellana | TNCH Technical Team: Joaquín Riquelme, Hugo Hernández, Guillermo Cerón, Sebastián Chávez | Wig: Ale Rivas | Production Season 2026: Christian Godoy.

Chilean National Theater Production with financing from the line of support for university theaters granted by the Ministry of Cultures, Arts and Heritage.