CHICAGO, IL | March 12, 2012 Colectivo El Pozo is back with its 3rd new production, Los carralejas, written by Raúl Dorantes (De camino al Ahorita, El lunes de León Rodríguez, Hasta los gorriones dejan su nido) and directed by Carlos Jaime. Centered on the exploration of kidnappings in Mexico, this play launches Little Village Theater’s Spring Festival which is dedicated entirely to Spanish-language theatre written and/or directed by Chicago’s Pan-Latino artists. From April thru June, three theatre companies (Colectivo El Pozo, El Tecolote, and Repertorio Latino), with assistance from the PanAmerica Performance Works, will stage productions of distinct genres (tragedy | musical | comedy). The first in the festival series, Los carralejas, opens on April 6, 2012 and runs thru April 15, 2012 at Little Village Theater (a.k.a The Boys & Girls Club of Chicago – 2950 W. 25th St., Chicago, IL 60623). Tickets $10. Box office opens 30 minutes prior to show start time, tickets can be purchased for a $10 cash donation at the door. For reservations or inquiries please call 312.451.7220 or email colectivoelpozo@gmail.com.
Synopsis: Los carralejas
Los carralejas, is Colectivo El Pozo’s 3rd original play, by Mexican playwright and longtime Chicago resident Raúl Dorantes, and performed by an artistic collective of 10 actors. This new production explores the kidnappings taking place ever more frequently in México. In November 2011, Mexico’s news publication El universal, exposed that a total of 7.8 million youths were presently unemployed and lacked means to continue academic pursuits. According to this news source, of that large sum, more than half are women. In Mexico, a term has emerged to define this sector of the youth population: Ninis (ni trabajan, ni estudian/don’t work, don’t study). It is known that many of these youths, faced with no better alternatives, have no option but to get caught in the wide net of organized crime.
Enter two characters, Diego and Joaquín, the participants in a kidnapping during the early 80s, hence what can be considered an isolated incident and probably took up half a page in the local crime section of the daily news. The ensemble collectively illustrates one point: if social conditions allow, a traumatic event can trigger a chain of painful and violent events. Los carrelejas explores whether forgiveness and reconciliation are the only way out of this tragic sequence of events, an analysis that must be undertaken through crude honesty as the complex layers of the individual and society are peeled away. Fast forward to thirty year later, Diego and Joaquín’s families will be at the center of one of many crisis of daily life in Mexico, the harsh reality that crime between Mexico and the United is interlaced. As a result, both victims and perpetrators confront a transnational criminal world that is built on tightly wound criminal relations between US and Mexico, as is seen with weapons smuggling.
Los carralejas is performed in Spanish, English supertitles provided via a projection screen.
FACT SHEET: Los carralejas
Title: Los carralejas
Presented by: Colectivo El Pozo & Teatro de La Villita
By: Raúl Dorantes
Directed by: Carlos Jaime
Featuring: Laura Crotte, María Martínez, Jessica Kadish, Rafael Vargas, Ulises Rangel, Alfonso Seiva, Marcopolo Soto, Sandra Dávila, Griselda Jaime, Ernesto Melchor, Alfonso Seiva, Jr., Arturo Castellanos, Estefanía González, J.J. Romero
Production: Dan Hanrahan (Original Music), Mercedes Inéz Martínez (Set Design), Zacbé Pichardo (Accordion & Harp Orchestration), Katie Zien (Subtitles), Nancy García Loza (Marketing)
Press Opening: Saturday, April 7, 2012
Regular Run: April 6 – April 15, 2012
Schedule:
Friday: 8:00 pm
Saturday: 8:00 pm
Sunday: 5:00 pm
Location: Little Village Theater (within The Boys & Girls Club of Chicago) – 2950 W. 25th St. Chicago 60623
Parking: FREE, Onsite parking lot.
Tickets: $10 General Admission.
Box Office: Please purchase at door. Payment method accepted: Cash & Credit Card Accepted.
Inquiries/Reservations: 312.451.7220.
About Colectivo El Pozo
Colectivo El Pozo – Founded in 2009 by Raúl Dorantes, Marcopolo Soto, Ignacio Guevara, & Febronio Zatarain and other Latin American writers now residing in Chicago. Colectivo el Pozo has since served as Chicago’s only Spanish-language theatre ensemble dedicated to creating original work that explores the diverse realities of Pan-Latina/o immigrants in the city of Chicago. Since its inception, Colectivo has attempted to expand theatrical opportunities for Chicago artists that are mutually interested in developing Spanish-language theatre works and also interested in the range of themes within the broader scope of Immigration. The ensemble ranges from seasoned to emerging actors and participants. We are aware of this limitation. Regardless, we feel it necessary to tackle this impactful artistic genre, that is Theatre, and create a space where the immigrant voice and narrative is regularly staged in Chicago. Colectivo El Pozo currently tours colleges/universities, festivals and venues across the city and is preparing to tour nationally. In addition to producing at least 2 new works per season, Colectivo El Pozo stages dramatized readings throughout the year.
About Little Village Theater
Little Village Theater’s Spring Festival which is dedicated entirely to Spanish-language theatre written and/or directed by Chicago’s Pan-Latino artists. From April thru June, three theatre companies (Colectivo El Pozo, El Tecolote, and Repertorio Latino), with assistance from the PanAmerica Performance Works, will stage productions of distinct genres (tragedy | musical | comedy).
APRIL 6-15:
Teatro de La Villita | 2950 W. 25th Street | Chicago 60623
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