There are stories that need to be told and retold. There are moments in history that should never be forgotten.

Beginning Jan. 4, the San Diego Repertory Theatre will present “In the Time of the Butterflies,” a living memory of the Mirabal sisters who fought to keep a dark part of world history from repeating itself.

On Nov. 25, 1960, three of the four Mirabal sisters were on their way home from visiting their husbands. The men had been incarcerated for opposing Rafael Trujillo, one of the most brutal dictators of the 20th century. Trujillo’s men stopped the car, and the women and their driver were beaten to death. The soldiers then pushed the car over a cliff to make it seem like an accident.

Known by their code name, “The Butterflies,” the Mirabal sisters, Patria, Minerva and Maria Teresa, had spent years working with the resistance to end Trujillo’s regime and bring democracy and freedom to the Dominican Republic. The fourth sister, Dede, became the caretaker of the Butterflies’ memory, still living in the family house to this day and telling their story.

Because the three radical sisters represented a feminist, revolutionary thorn in Trujillo’s side, they were subjected to years of harassment and persecution for their dissent. Yet they remained true to the cause and became symbols of perseverance and strength in the pursuit of justice.

Their deaths, while tragic, unified Dominicans and ultimately the world in opposition to the dictatorship.

Six months later, Trujillo was assassinated in a coup that included his own officers and the CIA.

The butterflies became martyrs, popular symbols of inspiration in the fight against tyranny.

Directors Todd Salovey and Herbert Siguenza have taken on the English language world premier of “In the Time of the Butterflies,” by playwright Caridad Svich, based on the novel of the same title by Julia Alvarez.

The two directors have worked closely together for the last four years on Siguenza’s critically acclaimed one-man show, “A Weekend with Pablo Picasso.” Siguenza, of Culture Clash fame, also plays all the male roles in “Butterflies.”

“This is a powerful and tragic story that measures the limits of patience, loyalty, courage and love,” Siguenza said. “It is the true life story of ordinary women who decided to make a change in their lives and for their country. They pay the ultimate price for freedom, and that is why it is a universal story of heroism and nationalism,” he said.

Siguenza believes that the story, with the Maribal sisters as examples of true patriots and early Latin American feminists, will inspire young people and show that they have a voice and can make a change.

Salovey agreed. “It is a beautiful and very moving story about women of tremendous courage and honor,” he said. “We have an amazing cast, gorgeous costumes and music from the Dominican Republic,” he added. “It will be very engaging, and very beautiful.”

UCSD alumna and award-winning dramaturg Svich adapted Alvarez’ novel. She was originally drawn to the intimacy and delicacy of the storytelling and the multiple narrative voices, she said. “I have always had a personal connection to how Alvarez is so deft at capturing the lives of women, and especially young women finding their voices in the wider political landscape.”

The playwright’s interest in the story, however, is not solely based in craft. “I feel that everyone needs to know this story,” Svich said.

“It ends in tragedy, yes. But the very fact that these women were at the forefront of a movement that countered Trujillo’s dictatorship and sacrificed so very much, while at the same time never giving up in the love of country, is a testament to their will and passion as citizens who became activists.”

Svich, who won the 2011 American Theatre Critics Association Primus Prize for her adaptation of Isabelle Allende’s “The House of the Spirits,” said that while Allende’s novel is epic and sprawling, “In the Time of the Butterflies” is incredibly intimate and eternal in its story-telling. “It is also a story of family, about how we live and care for each other in and out of times of crises,” she said.

“It is a story that says: Speak truth to power, always,” Svich added. “Do not be afraid. Fight to right the injustices big and small in your community and in your country. To be a citizen is to have a stake in your country’s well being and in its future. Never give up.”

Catalina Maynard will play the role of older Dede, the surviving sister. Salovey said that both directors knew from the start that Maynard should be in the production. “Catalina is one of the most accomplished actresses to work at the REP, and we are just thrilled to be able to feature her,” he said.

Maynard sees the opportunity to play one of the Mirabal sisters as a great honor. “The Mirabal sisters are strong women who didn’t think of themselves as being special,” she said. “Yet, when called upon to respond to the injustice of their time, they felt compelled to make a difference.”

Telling Dede’s story is significant to Maynard because Dede is the reason that the story of her sisters lives on, she said. “She is the lifeline to her family’s history, and the great guardian of their memory.”

Sandra Ruiz, born and raised in San Diego, will play the younger Dede. Jaqueline Grace Lopez, making her San Diego REP debut, will take on Minerva. Maritxel Carrero, also an UCSD alumna, has two roles as Maria Teresa and an American woman. And Elisa Gonzales will play the oldest of the sisters, Patria.

“In the Time of the Butterflies” will run from Jan. 4 to Jan. 26. Opening night is Jan. 11.