Goodman Theatre Latino Festival

Goodman Theatre prepares for its 4th biennial Latino Theatre Festival, curated by Resident Artistic Associate Henry Godinez, which will run August 8 - 24, 2008. Chicago companies participating in the festival include Albany Park Theater Project, Teatro Luna, Teatro Vista and Aguijon Theater Company. Tickets go on sale May 29.

"This summer's Latino Theatre Festival unites old and new friends of the Goodman-and more than ever, we're offering programming that involves our younger audiences," said Henry Godinez, who most recently directed The Cook by Eduardo Machado at the Goodman. "For this 4th biennial celebration of Latino culture, we continue our commitment to showcasing some of the most extraordinary international and national companies, and we've expanded our inclusion of the finest local talent in creative and exciting new ways. I'm looking forward to sharing these rich and dynamic events with all of Chicago."

For the past six years, Goodman Theatre's biennial Latino Theatre Festival has been a key component in the theater's effort to foster collaborations and presentations with international theater companies-including and beyond the English speaking world. In the upcoming 2008/2009 season, the Goodman expands its global reputation by introducing a world programming component for its exploration of American playwright Eugene O'Neill's work as it is being produced now, in the 21st century, by companies around the world including Toneelgroep Amsterdam and Companhia Triptal of Brazil. The Goodman has established an international profile over the years with productions of The Merchant of Venice in London, Paris and Hamburg; Death of a Salesman in London; Galileo Galilei in London and The Iceman Cometh in Dublin. "In a world in which globalization is a reality, it is essential that outstanding work from the US travels abroad and, at the same time, that Americans experience the cultural life of the rest of the world," said Artistic Director Robert Falls.

The preliminary schedule for Goodman Theatre's 2008 Latino Theatre Fest is:

Esperanza Rising
July 12 - August 10
in the Owen Theatre

Esperanza Rising is the story of a wealthy Mexican girl whose privileged existence is shattered when tragedy strikes, and she and her mother must flee to California. Forced to work in a migrant labor camp, Esperanza must learn to rise above her difficult circumstances and discover what she's truly made of. Set in the turbulent 1930's, and based on the popular book by Pam Muñoz Ryan, Esperanza Rising is a poetic tale of a young girl's triumph over adversity.

Al Son Que Me Toques, Lorca
August 8 – 10
in the Owen Theatre

Al Son Que Me Toques, Lorca is Laura Crotte's Mexican-musical adaptation of Federico Garcia Lorca's famous Spanish tragedy of forbidden lust and betrayal, Blood Wedding. A native of Veracruz, Mexico, Crotte has performed in Chicago at Goodman Theatre in Mariela in the Desert as well as at Steppenwolf, Chopin Theatre and the National Museum of Mexican Art. She is an ensemble member of Teatro Vista.

Culture Clash in AmeriCCa
August 14 - 17
In the Albert Theatre

The wildly popular satiric trio Culture Clash returns to the Goodman with their latest show, Culture Clash in AmeriCCa, a witty, moving, devastatingly funny collection of skits that tackle some of our society's toughest issues-from changing attitudes toward ethnicity after 9/11, gender roles and sexuality, illegal immigration and the question: what did Jesus really look like? Founded in 1984 by Richard Montoya, Ric Salinas and Herbert Siguenza, Culture Clash has become the most prominent Chicano/ Latino performance troupe in the country, with work ranging from sketch comedy to the full length plays. American Theatre Magazine calls Culture Clash "The Marx Brothers meet the Rolling Stones," and the Miami Herald describes their work as "wicked, observant comedy interspersed with keenly acted monologues that make your heart ache."

Taking Flight
August 15 - 17
In the Owen Theatre

Taking Flight is Adriana Sevan's hilarious and heartbreaking autobiographical solo piece about the restorative power of forgiveness and redemption in the face of tragedy. With mesmerizing ease, Sevan transforms into an astounding range of characters, from Esperanza Middleschmerts (a bdguiling mix of Carmen Miranda and Dr. Phil) to a Jewish fashion maven from Long Island, a Haitian cab driver to a sexy 90-year old grandmother. Taking Flight is "an inviting character study with a cinematic air (that)…touches on the exotic and the mundane, has all the earmarks of Hollywood chick pic, but pays dividends in the theater through rich description and exacting language." (Variety)

De La Oreja Al Corazon
August 22-24
In the Albert Theatre

A beautifully designed, touching and imaginative Spanish language puppet piece from Mexico City, De La Oreja Al Corazon follows a young orphan's dream of becoming a musical conductor.

 

J'arrive
August 21 - 24
In the Owen Theatre

Barcelona's legendary dancer, choreographer and performance artist Marta Carrasco presents the most sensational pieces from the last 10 years of her remarkable career in J'arrive, an exhilarating expression obsession and seduction.