Theatre | New production of the Tony Award-winning In The Heights

Casa 0101 Theater, Josefina López, Artistic Director, and Teatro Nuevos Horizontes, Abel Alvarado, Artistic Director will present a new production of the Tony Award-winning and Pulitzer Prize-nominated musical, In The Heights, with music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda and book by Quiara Alegría Hudes, directed by Rigo Tejeda at the new Casa 0101 Theater, 2102 East First Street (at St. Louis Street directly across the street from the Hollenbeck Police Station), Boyle Heights, CA  90033 from November 22 – December 22, 2013.

Rigo Tejeda, the director of the production said:  “‘In The Heights, the hit musical, is about passion for life, the hope of love and finding yourself in those closest to you.  With our new production, audiences can expect to soar and be taken to new heights through the carnaval of dance, music and SABOR!”

Set over the course of three days, the story involves an ensemble cast of characters in the Dominican-American neighborhood of Washington Heights in New York City.  The production is helmed by director Rigo Tejeda (of Whittier), featuring a cast of 22 actors, a four-piece live band led by Peter Kirkpatrick and choreography by Daniel Lazareno.

Principal roles will be played by:  Martica De Cardenas (of Los Angeles) as Camila Rosario; Vivian Lamolli (of Los Angeles) as Daniella (November 22, 23, 24, 29, 30, December 1, 6,7, 8, 13, 14 and 15, 203); Valeria Maldonado (of Los Angeles) as Vanessa; Luis Marquez(of Los Angeles) as Kevin Rosario; James Oronoz (of Hacienda Heights) as Benny; Veronica Rosa (of Los Angeles) as Nina; Chala Savino (of Los Angeles) as understudy for Daniella (December 20, 21 and 22, 2013); Anastasia Silva (of Los Angeles) as Abuela Claudia and Michael Torrenueva (of Costa Mesa) as Usnavi DeLaVega.

Featured roles will be played by:  Chrissi Erickson (of Los Angeles) as Carla; Santos Hemenway (of Los Angeles) as Graffiti Pete;Andreas Pantazis (of Arcadia) as Domingo; Iselle Peña (of Los Angeles who hails from Washington Heights, NY, where the play is set) as Yolanda; Rehyan Rivera (of Los Angeles) as Sonny; Michael David Romero (of Valley Village) as Piragua Pete and Eric Stanton (of Los Angeles) as Jose.

           Ensemble cast members will include:  Shay Louise (of Los Angeles); Fernando Nuñez (of Los Angeles); Jessie Ortiz (of Los Angeles);Tanya Possick (of Silverlake); Andrea Somera (of Buena Park) and Katherine Washington (of Los Angeles) as Oreo.

Casa 0101 Theater’s sponsors include:  The California Endowment, the Los Angeles County Arts Commission, The Herb Alpert Foundation, The California Foundation for Stronger Communities, The Community Redevelopment Agency/LA – A Designated Local Authority and Metro.

           Tickets for Preview Performances on Wednesday, November 20, 2013 at 8:00 p.m. and Thursday, November 21, 2013 at 8:00 p.m. are $10 per person.  Performances during the five-week run of the musical from November 22 – December 22, 2013 will be given on Fridays at 8:00 p.m., Saturdays at 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. and Sundays at 5:00 p.m.  Ticket prices for the five-week run are as follows:  Opening Night, Friday, November 22, 2013, $50 per person, which includes the performance, a Wine & Cheese Reception at intermission and after the show, accompanied by a Meet and Greet with the cast; $25 per person for Students and Seniors with ID and $20 per person for Boyle Heights residents and Groups of 15 or more.  For tickets, please call the Casa 0101 Theater Box Office at 323-263-7684, E-mailtickets@casa0101.org, or buy online at www.casa0101.org.

Advance reservations are highly recommended.  Theatre patrons can get a $2 discount by presenting their Metro Bus Cards at the Box Office when buying tickets.  Metro bus stations are located on First Street in Boyle Heights at both Soto Street, and at Boyle Street (Mariachi Plaza), within a short walking distance to the theatre).  The running time of the show is 120 minutes. Free Parking is available on several streets surrounding the theatre.  Free Parking is also available on Fridays and Saturdays only at the Boyle Heights City Hall Parking Lot located at 2130 East First Street (at Chicago Street) by entering the lot from Chicago Street; the lot is closed on Sundays.

The Production Team includes:  Josefina López (Founding Artistic Director, Casa 0101 Theater); Abel Alvarado (Artistic Director and Costume Designer); Emmanuel Deleague (Executive Director, Casa 0101 Theater); Edward Padilla (Board President, Casa 0101 Theater); Rigo Tejeda (Director and Founder, Teatro Nuevos Horizontes); Andrew Orbison (Musical Director); Peter Kirkpatrick (Conductor and Keyboard) leading a four-piece live band consisting of a Trumpet, Bass Drums/Percussion); Daniel Lazareno (Choreographer); Tanya Possick (Associate Choreographer); Alysha Bermudez (Sound Designer); Joshua Cuellar (Lighting Designer); Marco De Leon (Scenic Designer); Sohail j. Najafi(Technical Director); Carol Solis (Stage Manager); Gilbert Valenzuela (Production Coordinator); Zoyla Cruz (Production Assistant); Eric Babb(Prop Master); Vincent Sanchez (Facilities Manager, Casa 0101 Theater); Mark Kraus (Webmaster, Casa 0101 Theater); Gabriela López de Dennis, Soap Design Co. (Graphic Designer); Ed Krieger (Production Photographer) and Steve Moyer Public Relations (Press Representative).

Rigo Tejeda (Director and Founder, Teatro Nuevos Horizontes) began his career in the theatrical arts over 20 years ago. Raised and trained as a musician, his endeavors as a pianist and accompanist developed his love for music early on.  Along with this came his introduction to amateur theatre and acting.  His directorial debut came soon after as Music Director of his local church community.  Starring in various community theatre productions, Tejeda delved into directing with his first theatrical production, Esperar, in 1994.  Soon after, his self-taught skills, schooling and inclination for direction, landed several projects, including American Icon at Disneyland Resort, Un Triste Amanecer and Cats en Español. Being recognized for his passion and talent he was then asked to develop and teach workshops and classes in acting, pantomime, musical theatre and theatre 101 at Telacu, a program for inner-city students aspiring in the theatrical arts and higher education.  With his strong accolades as a business owner, theatrical director and founder of a theatre company, he has become a well-recognized and respected artist in his own right.  He is on the forefront of the Latino Theatre Movement in Los Angeles.