Long Island's Thalia Spanish Theatre, located just east of New York City in Sunnyside has a new executive/artistic director, Angel Gil Orrios. Orrios replaces Silvia Brito, who founded and ran the theatre for 23 years.

"Silvia will just be retiring," a theatre source told Playbill On-Line. "After working to establish the theatre for that many years I think she just wanted to relax and let someone else take over where she left off."

Orrios assumed his responsibilities on Jan 1 according to a Thalia paper statement. Having produced and directed some 50 productions in France, Spain and the United States, Orrios brings unique experience to Thalia. An award-winning director, Orrios won a silver medal from the French Academie des Arts Sciences-Letters in 1987 and a best director award from the Association of Critics of Entertainment in 1989). He was also the artistic director of the Teatro Real Espanol (Royal Theatre of Spain) 1980-85 and the artistic director of the International Art Theatre Institute 1995-1999. In addition to working as a New York cultural correspondent for Spain's El Pais, Orrios has worked in the Spanish Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (SGAE), all of which afford him a working knowledge of entertainment financing and administration.

Orrios plans to continue producing traditional Thalia material, including plays from Spanish and Latin American sources, Zarzuela (Spanish operettas), musicals, dance programs in flamenco and tango, as well as the annual Thalia Outdoors music festival.

Thalia Spanish Theatre is located at 41-17 Greenpoint Avenue, Sunnyside, New York. For information call (718) 729-3880. -- By Murdoch McBride