Eight full-length productions anchor the multicultural citywide festival that includes comedy, cabaret, family shows, panel discussions and a high school playwriting competition. Artists represented in the two-week festival hail from New York, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Mexico, Puerto Rico and Spain. TeatroStageFest will feature programming in Manhattan, Queens and the Bronx.
Among the noted artists participating in the second annual TeatroStageFest are In the Heights creator and star Lin-Manuel Miranda, John Leguizamo (Sexaholic), Graciela Daniele (Once on This Island), Bianca Marroquín (Chicago), Marga Gomez (Los Big Names) and Grammy nominee Bobby Sanabria.
Stage productions include:
Narcissus
Written and directed by Manuela Infante
Performed by Teatro de Chile
"One of the most relevant plays to come out of Chile's fringe theater, Narcissus blends physical theater, pop music, and a non-traditional setting to expose the dangerous games played by upper class teenagers who have everything except motivation." (June 6-8)
Flour & Lifeguard
Performed by Grupo Doble Ve
"Two moving one-act plays reveal 'the other' Argentina we rarely hear about. In Flour a young baker in a remote provincial town recounts a time when the railroad brought people together with the promise of progress. Lifeguard weaves an unlikely but tender connection between a retired lifeguard and a caretaker who has come to tend to his terminally ill wife." (June 6-8) Borinquen Lives in El Barrio
Written by Tere Martinez and directed by Angel Morales
Performed by Hostos Repertory Company
"When an unexpected visitor challenges the cultural contradictions of a Puerto Rican family in East Harlem, everyone is forced to reexamine the past, present, and future of the island. A politically charged drama that is unbiased, moving, and brutally honest." (June 6-8)
The Toothache of King Farfán
Original book and lyrics by Serafín & Joaquín Álvarez Quintero
Contemporary score by Manuel Morán & Iván Alexander Bautista
Directed by Manuel Morán
"This delightful classic children's operetta recounts the story of a toothache-suffering king who learns to love and respect others." (June 6-8)
Women in War
Directed by Fernando Montes
"Based on journalistic testimonies by real-life women who bravely faced war-torn days in Colombia, renowned actress Carlota Llano performs four distinct and gripping portrayals of human strength." (June 12-14)
Those Who Last Laugh
Written by Eusebio Calonge and directed by Paco de la Zaranda
Performed by La Zaranda
'"Meet the fantastic Zarandini Brothers!' A troupe of rag tag-performers embarks on a magical epic journey that leads them everywhere and nowhere at the same time." (June 13-15)
Dona Flor and her Two Husbands
Adaptation by Veronica Triana and directed by Jorge Ali Triana
Performed by Repertorio Español
"Be it magical realism or wishful thinking, Dona Flor manages to live and sleep with her new husband and the spirit of her deceased spouse in this delightful Brazilian comedy based on Jorge Amado's best selling novel." (June 13-15)
Picasso FLAMENCOunt of Orgaz
Directed by Angel Gil Orrios with choreography by Aurora Reyes
Music by Basilio Georges
Performed by Thalia Theater
"A fusion of Pablo Picasso's poetic texts titled 'The Burial of Count Orgaz,' projections of his paintings, Cubist masks, and the passion of live flamenco takes audiences on a unique theatrical journey into the mind of the man who forever transformed contemporary art." (June 14-15)
Musical performances at Joe's Pub include Bianca Marroquín (June 2, 7:30 PM), Bobby Sanabria (June 2, 9:30 PM) and the INTAR presentation of Marga Gomez & Carmelita Tropicana (June 9 at 9:30 PM).
Partnered programming includes the June 9 New York Times' "Times Talks" 6 PM panel featuring Bianca Marroquín (Chicago), Graciela Daniele (Once on this Island), Lin-Manuel Miranda (In The Heights) and Eugenio Derbez (Latinologues).
At 7:30 PM on June 9 Emmy winner John Leguizamo discusses his career and upcoming return to Broadway in American Buffalo for a separate "Times Talks" panel.
The festival also features two panel discussions on June 7 and 14 – Visiones: From the Page to the Stage – with artists represented in the festival, as well as the Young Playwrights Latino Challenge 2008 Awards Ceremony, presented by LABrynth Theater Company.
The festival is produced by the Latino International Theater Festival of New York, an organization that supports Latino theatre year-round.
For tickets and complete festival details visit www.teatrostagefest.org or phone (212) 695-4010.
