¡VIVA LOS 40! GALA’s 40th Anniversary Season 2015-2016

 Entertainment   Thu, June 25, 2015 12:34 PM

Washington, DC - Founder and Producing Artistic Director Hugo Medrano proudly announces GALA Hispanic Theatre’s 2015-2016 Season. “It’s hard to believe that it has been forty years,” states Medrano, “since we opened GALA in a small townhouse in the Adams Morgan neighborhood of Washington, DC, then the heart of the Latino community. As we begin another decade of providing the breadth of the Latino performing arts to our community and the nation, our 40th Season turns a new lens on timeless tales by celebrated Latino writers and artists who have been part of GALA’s vibrant history-- Federico García Lorca, Gabriel García Márquez, and Gustavo Ott. We also introduce a cutting edge Chicano writer, Octavio Solís, to DC audiences.” “Our journey,” added Medrano, “ is guided by extraordinary Latino directors, from the U.S. and abroad, who have been part of the GALA family over the years.  Their artistry and our community will help point us to the next forty years.”   

 

The new season will open with a new adaptation by Fernando J. López of Yerma by Federico García Lorca, directed by José Luis Arellano from Spain, who staged the critically-acclaimed Cabaret Barroco at GALA. The second production is the piercing Señorita y Madame: The Secret War of Elizabeth Arden and Helena Rubenstein by Gustavo Ott directed by Consuelo Trum from Venezuela.  The third season production is an adaptation by Jorge Ali Triana of the novel Cronica de una muerte anunciada/Chronicle of a Death Foretold by Nobel Prize winner Gabriel García Marquez. This extraordinary work will be directed by José Zayas from New York, who staged the memorable La casa de los espíritus/ at GALA. The season will close with the electrifying El Paso Blue by Octavio Solis directed by José Carrasquillo from Puerto Rico.

GALA’s innovative ArteAmericA presenting series opens with the 11th annual Fuego Flamenco Festival featuring a world premiere by DC’s own Flamenco Aparicio Dance Company, led by the curator of the festival Edwin Aparicio, followed by the mesmerizing flamenco sensation Karen Lugo of Madrid’s Fundación Conservatorio Flamenco Casa Patas. The presenting series also includes GALA’s annual Film Festival, with recent films from Mexico, Chile, and Argentina, and the return of the hysterical Colombian comic Saulo García.

GALA’s theater for young audiences, GALita, will introduce children to the magic of theater with Nuevas aventuras de Don Quijote, a new adaption by Patricia Suárez commissioned by GALA, based on the novel by Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra.  This world premiere production follows the noble knight and his loyal squire on their new adventures to right the wrongs of the world. In the spring, El mundo es un pañuelo returns to GALita’s stage in repertory. With catchy songs and colorful characters, Titiloco the Clown journeys on his magical handkerchief to see the world in this bilingual production.

MAIN STAGE SEASON PRODUCTIONS

YERMA

Adaptation by Fernando J. López (Spain)   (World Premiere)

From text by Federico García Lorca

Directed by José Luis Arellano

September 10 - October 4, 2015

In Spanish with English surtitles

Student Matinees: September 23, September 24, September 25, September 30, October 1 and October 2 at 10:30 am.                                          

Garcia Lorca’s poetic language soars in this contemporary take on a classic tale about a childless Spanish peasant and her rage against the oppression of a loveless marriage and repressive society. The violence that erupts reflects a universal outcry by today’s women who still suppress their innermost desires due to social conditioning and gender discrimination.

José Luis Arellano is a young theater, opera and television director from Spain, who in previous seasons directed Caballero de Olmedo, ¡Ay, Carmela! and Cabaret Barroco at GALA. He is also the director of the Drama School of the City of Parla in Spain. 

This production is supported by the National Endowment for the Arts, Embassy of Spain in Washington, D.C. and SPAIN arts & culture.

SEÑORITA Y MADAME: The Secret War of Elizabeth Arden and Helena Rubenstein  (US Premiere)

By Gustavo Ott (Venezuela) 

Directed by Conseulo Trum

February 4 - 28, 2016

In Spanish with English surtitles

Student Matinees: February 11, February 12, February 18, and February 19 at 10:30 am.

Fueled by the rivalry between Arden and Rubenstein, this comedy explores the exquisite link between hate and admiration, morality in an immoral age, and the sacrifice of dignity for prestige.  The epic clash of these two icons of beauty and marketing revolutionized the industry and forever changed how we see and present ourselves.

Consuelo Trum is directing her first production at GALA.  A native of Venezuela, her directing credits include Dos amores y un bicho and Monstruous en el closet, ogros bajo la cama by Gustavo Ott;  Stop Kiss by Diana Son; La casa de Bernarda Alba and La zapatera prodigiosa by Federico García Lorca; and Welcome Home Bobby by Joe de Diann Russel.

CRONICA DE UNA MUERTE ANUNCIADA/ Chronicle of a Death Foretold   (DC Premiere)

By Gabriel García Márquez (Colombia)

Adapted by Jorge Ali Triana

Directed by José Zayas

April 7 - May 8, 2016

In Spanish with English surtitles

Student Matinees: April 14, April 15, April 20, April 21, April 22, April 27 and April 28 at 10:30 am.

After marrying against her will, Angela is returned to her mother when the angry new husband discovers she is not a virgin.

 Forced to name the man who deflowered her, Angela’s brothers undertake a murderous mission of revenge.  A tightly woven tale of a small town in Colombia where false accusations, a conspiracy of silence, and antiquated moral codes lead to tragedy.

José Zayas is the Co-Founder and Artistic Director of The Immediate Theater Company, who directed La casa de los espiritus and Cancun at GALA. He has been in residence at several theaters including Repertorio Español, the Ensemble Studio Theater, and INTAR.  Zayas also has directed at the Denver Center Theatre Company, Astoria Performing Arts Center, SOHO Rep, Virginia Stage Company, and in Chile and Costa Rica.

EL PASO BLUE         (DC Premiere)

By Octavio Solis (USA)

Music by Michael “Hawkeye” Herman

Directed by José Carrasquillo

June 2 - 26, 2016

In English with Spanish surtitles

Solis’ riff on the Oedipus Rex classic is a wild and comic tale of lust, revenge, identity and the blues.  Al leaves his wife Sylvie in the care of his father before serving a prison sentence. Upon release, he discovers that his beloved and the old man have fallen in love and run away.  The epic chase that ensues across El Paso pits together the funniest cast of characters ever assembled on a sprawling manhunt.

José Carrasquillo previously directed La señorita de Tacna, Ana en el trópico, The True History of Coca-Cola in Mexico, Cita a ciegas, and La Granada, among others, at GALA.  He has also directed at Theater J, WSC Avant Bard, Washington Shakespeare Company, Round House Theatre, Studio Theatre, Woolly Mammoth Theatre, The Kennedy Center; and Signature Theatre.

ARTEAMERICA SERIES

GALA’s ArteAmericA series presents commissioned new works of theater, music, and dance and has introduced traditional and cutting edge art forms and artists to Washington, D.C. audiences for decades.

FUEGO FLAMENCO XI

Honorary Producers Joseph and Lynne Horning

(The following three programs are part of the Flamenco Festival.)

FLAMENCO APARICIO DANCE COMPANY

(World Premiere)   
November 6 - 8, 2015

Student Matinees: November 5 and November 6 at 10:30 am

Edwin Aparicio, curator of GALA’s Fuego Flamenco since its inception, will lead his spirited troupe of dancers, cantaores, and guitarists in an exploration of the energy and style of flamenco combined with elements of his Latin American heritage. With fiery footwork and muscular grace, Aparicio demonstrates his highly polished technique and innovative choreography.

KAREN LUGO AND COMPANY

Flamenco Frecuencies (U.S. Premiere)

Presented in collaboration with Fundación Conservatorio Flamenco Casa Patas

November 12 – 15, 2015   

Karen Lugo, accompanied by talented cantaores and musicians, returns to GALA with a new show that captures the essence of flamenco in mesmerizing contemporary forms. Born in Mexico, she has taken the international flamenco scene by storm.

With support from the Embassy of Spain in Washington, DC, SPAIN arts & culture, and Fundación Conservatorio Flamenco Casa Patas.

FLAMENCO EN FAMILIA

November 14, 2015

Free interactive demonstrations with castanets, fans, and zapateo for children and the entire family led by members of the Spanish Dance Society.

SAULO GARCÍA

En la USA me quedé

Directed by Valentin Alvarez-Campos

December 4 & 5, 2015

In Spanish only

This rip-roaring take on the hilarious dynamics between Hispanic immigrant parents and their U.S. born children will have you in stitches from start to finish.  García, one of Colombia’s leading stand-up comics, returns to GALA after his sell-out performances in La vida en los Esclavos Unidos and Entrada Gratis.

REEL TIME AT GALA

México – Chile - Argentina Film Festival

December 9-13, 2015

A series of films exploring the socio-political landscapes of Chile and Argentina, as well as contemporary and classical films from Mexico.  Panel discussion with the curator, artists and film experts will be held after the screenings.

In collaboration with the Embassy of Mexico, Mexican Cultural Institute, Embassy of Chile, Embassy of Argentina, and Cinema Tropical of New York.

GALita - THEATER FOR YOUNG AUDIENCES

Target is the lead partner for GALita’s programs. Education is at the heart of Target’s giving, and since 1946, Target has given 5 percent of its income – which today equals more than $3 million a week. As part of its commitment to education, Target is on track to give $1 billion for education by the end of 2015. Target supports programs like GALA’s because they believe the arts have the power to bring communities together and help us see the world from different perspectives.

NUEVAS AVENTURAS DE DON QUIJOTE  (World Premiere)

Based on the novel by Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra

Adaptation by Patricia Suárez (Argentina)

Directed by Cornelia Cody

October 19 - 31, 2015

Bilingual

Student Matinees:  October 19-23 and October 26-30, 2015 at 10:30 am (weekdays)

General Public:      October 24 and October 31, 2015 at 3 pm (Saturdays)

In this sequel to the original bilingual adaptation, Don Quijote and Sancho Panza once again set out to right the wrongs of the world and become entangled in more comical episodes. A joyful play with music for children 6 to 9 years old.

FIESTA DE LOS TRES REYES MAGOS/Three Kings Day

January 3, 2016 at 11:30 am and 2:30 pm

Don’t miss GALA’s traditional Three Kings celebration, featuring the Magi, live animals, local performers, a walk through the neighborhood, and gifts for every child. Free for the entire family!

EL MUNDO ES UN PAÑUELO

By Jorge Diaz (Chile)

Directed by Hugo Medrano

March 7 - 19, 2016

Bilingual
Student Matinees:  March 7-11 and March 14-18, 2016 at 10:30 am (weekdays)

General Public:      March 12 and March 19, 2016 at 3 pm (Saturdays)

When Titiloco the Clown becomes bored at the circus, he sets out on his magic handkerchief to see the world. On his journey Titiloco learns that the world can be a better place when people care for the environment, value diversity, and enjoy life. With catchy songs and colorful characters, this show is perfect for children of all ages.

SPECIAL EVENTS

Mark your calendar for GALA’s annual benefit event, Noche de Estrellas, on May 10, 2016, featuring entertainment, silent and live auctions, and delicious Latin American food. Proceeds support GALA’s artistic and educational programs.

GENERAL INFORMATION

SCHEDULE: Unless otherwise indicated, main stage season productions are Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 pm, and Sundays at 2 pm. For other performance times, call 202-234-7174 or visit www.galatheatre.org.

TICKETS: Regular tickets to season series productions are $38 Thursday evenings, and Saturday and Sunday matinees; $42 Friday and Saturday evenings. Tickets for seniors (65+) are $26, and tickets for students and military are $20 for all performances. Additional discounts are available for groups of 10 or more, and for student groups. Tickets are also available on Goldstar. To purchase tickets, call 202-234-7174, 800-494-8497, or visit www.galatheatre.org.


SUBSCRIPTION:
GALA's Subscription Program offers more than 20% savings on main stage season productions, other savings on select programs and events, as well as priority seating, unlimited exchanges, special invitations, exclusive FIRST LOOK events for every season production (a peek into the minds of the director, designers, and actors before rehearsals begin), and much more. The regular 2015-2016 Season Subscription is $132 and the Noche de GALA Subscription is $160.

LOCATION: GALA Theatre, 3333 14th Street NW, Washington, D.C. (Columbia Heights Metro, Green Line).

PARKING: Discounted parking is available in the secure Giant parking garage directly behind the theater. The entrance is located on Park Road and Holmead Street.

IDENTIFICATION FOR PRESS: GALA is an acronym (Grupo de Artistas LatinoAmericanos) and should be written in all capital letters. The name of our venue is GALA Hispanic Theatre. Please refrain from using any other terms.

CONTACT:
Sarah Barrie
Phone:202 234 7174
Email: www.galatheatre.org
 
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