If you grew up in a traditional Puerto Rican family, you've probably heard of the famous folklore fiend, Juan Bobo. For those of us who haven't, here's a chance to become acquainted with the well-loved little devil:
The Puerto Rican Traveling Theatre, collaborating with Teatro Circulo, will perform its free summer tour of The Mischievous Juan Bobo (Los Titingos de Juan Bobo) all over the tri-state area Aug. 1-26. The premiere of the adaptation by Carlos Ferrari will take place Aug. 9 in Hell's Kitchen Park.
Juan Bobo is a character who attempts to spiritually rationalize a world that has swayed from tradition to materialism. This adaptation combines some of the more popular tales with music and song.
Director Axel Cintron heads the production team with musical direction by Jose Moreno. Sets are designed by Jason Strum and costumes are by Harry Nadal. The cast includes Roberto Gorbea, Wanda Arriaga, Eva Christina Vazquez, Jose Cheo Oliveras, Marcelo Rodriguez, Marly Rivera, Tamaris Canals, Bettina Mercado, Manuel Herrera, and Tata Canuelas.
The tour schedule, which includes street and park performances starting at 6:30 PM (unless noted otherwise) is as follows: Aug. 1 - Street - Mount Prospect and 4th St.- Newark, NJ
Aug. 2 - Auditorium - 43-31 39th St. - Queens - 1:30 PM
Aug. 3 - School Yard - 547 E. 146th St. between Brook & Anns Ave.- Bronx - 4 PM
Aug. 4 - Street - Grove St. between Evergreen & Bushwick Ave. - Bronx
Aug. 5 - Jordan Park - Summer Ave. & 6th St. in Allentown, PA - 6 PM
Aug. 6 - Linden Park - Linden Blvd betw. Vermont & Van Siclen Ave. - Brooklyn - Noon
Aug. 8 - School Yard - Simpson St betw. 163rd & Fox St. - Bronx
Aug. 9 - Hell's Kitchen Park - 10th Ave. betw. 47th & 48th St. - Manhattan
Aug. 10 - Holy Family Church parking lot - Black Rock & Castle Hill Ave. - Bronx
Aug. 11 - St. John of Arc Church parking lot - Trafford Ave betw. 172 & 174 St. - Bronx
Aug. 12 - Park - Havermeyer St. betw. South 4th and South 5th Ave. - Brooklyn - 3 PM
Aug. 13 - St. Paul Church parking lot - 99 St. & 55 Ave. - Queens - 1:30 PM
Aug. 15 - Little Field Park - between 6th St. & Manila Ave. - Jersey City, NJ
Aug. 16 - Park - 1585 East 174th St. betw. Bronx River Ave. & Maner St. - Bronx - 6 PM
Aug. 17 - Street - Stuyvesant Ave. betw. Willoughby Ave. & Vermont St. - Brooklyn - 1 PM
Aug. 18 - Bellevue South Park - 26th & 28th St. betw. 1st & 2nd Ave. - Manhattan
Aug. 19 - Amphitheater - Riverbank St. Park - Riverside Dr. & 145th St. - Manhattan
Aug. 20 - Astoria Park - 19th St. & 23rd Ave. - Queens - 6 PM
Aug. 22 - Mullaly Park - 164th St. & Jerome Ave. - Bronx
Aug. 23 - Street - Between B & C Ave. - Manhattan
Aug. 24 - Corona Park - in front of the main entrance to Museum of Art - Queens - 3 PM
Aug. 25 - Parking Lot - 900 Intervale Ave. Corner of Tiffany & Beck St. - Bronx
Aug. 26 - Street - Grand St. Off Route 80 & Spruce St. - Paterson, NJ
Aug. 27 - Central Park - 72nd St. & 5th Ave. - Manhattan - 2 PM and 4 PM
For more information about locations and the free performances, call (212) 354-1293.
-- by Ernio Hernandez