Paul Rodriguez to star in the new stage comedy: THE PITCH
Television, Stand-Up Star Paul Rodriguez to Debut His Comedic Tell-All about Pitching a Latino TV Series
Paul Rodriguez and Mike Gomez to star in the new stage comedy: THE PITCH
Being a Hollywood luminary does not mean your idea for a Latino-themed television comedy gets a quick green light. Comedy legend Paul Rodriguez learned the hard way.
Never one to miss the opportunity to turn a twisted situation into a twisted comedy, Rodriguez has written a stage play that lampoons the Hollywood television development process while also getting in a few licks about the “tortilla ceiling” that still looms over Latino program development.
“THE PITCH” starring Paul Rodriguez and Mike Gomez, will begin a limited engagement,
September 7-17th, 2017 at 7:30 PM. Matinees: September 9th and 10th at 2:00 PM *Production will close on Sunday September 17th at the matinee performance at 2:00 PM. Tickets are $25.00 and $15.00 for students. Group rates: $10 for seniors, students, military and groups over ten.
Please call the LATC at (866) 811-4111 and for more information please visit their website at http://thelatc.org The LATC is located at Los Angeles Theatre Center, 514 South Spring Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013
“THE PITCH” goes where no sit-com dares to, it asks and answers the question: “Why so few Latinos on mainstream television? Using his gift of humor, Comedian Paul Rodriguez shares his journey through hostile territory, (Hollywood) and reveals what it’s like when Latinos audition for a part and “Pitch” their idea for a television series or movie. He pulls back the curtain on the condescension, demeaning attitudes and disinterest in Latino art and culture that he and other Latinos face when dealing with Hollywood executives. He also reminds us it wasn’t always this way. Latino stars like Ricardo Montalban, Freddie Prinze, Erik Estrada and many others appeared in their own T.V. series.
Teatro Máscara Mágica Producing Artistic Director William Virchis, is directing Rodriguez’s funny and ferocious spoof of the television development process. “It’s still tough to get Hollywood to take a look at Latino-based shows despite the demographic reality of the United States and the popularity of previous creations,” Virchis said. “Paul’s show is really funny, as you would expect of one of the world’s greatest comedians, but it also has some important points to make about problems faced by Latino performing artists.”
Paul Rodriguez has starred in numerous hit films, including “Blood Work,” “D.C. Cab,” “Born in East L.A.” and “The Original Latin Kings of Comedy.” He was the star of a trio of television shows, “A.K.A Pablo,” “The Newlywed Game” and “El Show de Paul Rodriguez.” He is a legendary comedian, ranked by Comedy Central as one of the 100 Greatest Standups of All Time.
Mike Gomez, co-starring with Rodriguez, is a renowned actor best known for his performances in such classics as, “The Big Lebowski” and “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” Gomez has co-starred in numerous films including Clint Eastwood’s “Heartbreak Ridge” and Robert Redford’s “Milagro Beanfield War,” “Zoot Suit,” “The Boarder” and “El Norte” to name a few. Mike’s television and stage theatre credits include “Zoot Suit” at the Winter Garden on Broadway and the Pre-Broadway run of Selena.
Mr. Virchis, the director, decided to team up Rodriguez and Gomez again after a successful run of the two starring in “The Odd Couple” in San Diego. He said he is thrilled to have the opportunity to work with these two gifted actors again. “This show is going to be unbelievably funny thanks to Paul and Mike,” Virchis said. “Paul is one of the planet’s great comics and has a gift for blending humor and relevance. Mike is one of those actors who can do any film, any play, any TV show brilliantly. These guys together are going be asombroso (amazing).”
Rodriguez and Gomez accepted an invitation from Virchis to participate in TMM’s Artistas de Honor program, a master’s project whereby gifted and successful performing artists, playwrights and directors teach and mentor young under-represented theatre artists.
“Teatro Máscara Mágica was founded as a professional multicultural theatre company to develop and promote performing artists of all races and backgrounds so that San Diego County theatre looks more like the population of San Diego County,” according to Virchis. “Paul and Mike are going to be part of that beautiful heritage of passing their wisdom and encouragement on to the next generation. Besides being world-class talents, these are two world-class gentlemen and mentors.
BONUS CONTENT | Featured video is a Hispanic Lifestyle exclusive interview with Paul Rodriguez discussing first ever one-man show, “Just for the Record.”
