Originally scheduled to open in October, the Mexican premiere of Blood Brothers(Hermanos de Sangre) has been postponed due to construction delays at the new Teatro Alameda 2. According to Claudia Casillas, a spokesperson from Televiteatros, the show will now open in January, 1998.

Mexican actress and singer Julissa along with her two sons, Benny and Alejandro Ibarra, will star the Mexican production of Willy Russell's award-winning hit, which will be directed by Rene Pereyra.

Also in the cast are Gabriela Platas as Linda, Alejandro Peraza as The Narrator, Martha Escobar as Mrs. Lyons, Moises Suarez as Mr. Lyons and Paul Bouche as Sammy.

Julissa and sons are producing the show in association with Televiteatros, the theatre division of Televisa, which is one of Mexico's leading broadcasting companies.

Julissa produced and starred the Mexican productions of Jesus Christ Superstar and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. She also produced the 1985 children-cast revival of Grease! (Vaselina) starring her sons Benny and Alejandro Ibarra. Jorge Cerro, who produced Blood Brothers in Buenos Aires, is designing the sets and lights for Hermanos de Sangre in Mexico.

The opening night for Hermanos de Sangre will mark the opening of a new major theatre in Mexico City, the Teatro Alameda 2, a 1400-seat venue located next door to the Teatro Alameda 1. Both Alameda theatres are property of Televisa.

-- By Claudio Carrera
Mexico Correspondent