Park Square's THE HOUSE ON MANGO STREET Begins Tonight

Park Square opens its brand new Andy Boss Thrust Stage next month with Sandra Cisneros' THE HOUSE ON MANGO STREET. In a new adaptation by Amy Ludwig, THE HOUSE ON MANGO STREET paints a moving portrait of Esperanza Cordero, a "yellow weed among the city cracks," who dreams of a better, safer life far from her Chicago barrio. The Chicago Tribune called Cisneros' work "...a cascade of memory...one of the finest books penned about finding, understanding, keeping, leaving and (eventually) returning to your place."

"The artists crafting The House on Mango Street are immersed in conversations which are personal and at the same time reach a collective reality of a community," says Director and Pangea World Theater Artistic Director Dipankar Mukherjee. "In deciphering the depths of the poetic prose of the writer, we come close to our own humanity and memories of childhood. This play is a poignant dramatization of a social ecosystem in the barrio (or in our community). As we journey in life we search for and define 'home.' Then we realize that home is a space which shapes us and we are deeply connected with forever."

Esperanza has dreams, hopes, and plans that lie beyond her dilapidated home on Mango Street. Her friendship with Rachel and Lucy helps her discover the real life and culture beneath the crumbling edifices of her dangerous neighborhood. Her friendship with Sally helps her discover womanhood. Her writing helps her discover who she is. This touching and humorous story of a young girl growing up in Chicago among Chicanos and Puerto Ricans has been a mainstay of American literature and culture for a quarter-century. Esperanza learns that she can go home again, and even that she'd never left at all.

Readers of Cisnero's novel have often compared The House on Mango Street to Virginia Woolf's seminal treatise A Room of One's Own, in which the author argues for a woman's own place and resources. Esperanza does indeed long for such a room, and she finds it through writing. But her journey to come of age is not a solo one, as powerful voices and colorful characters fill the barrio and her life. Some guide her on her way; others pose great obstacles. The story of Esperanza and her search for identity has been enjoyed by readers for 30 years, was awarded the American Book Award in 1985 and has since sold more than 5 million copies. Amy Ludwig's new adaptation premiered at Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre in 2009.

The cast features Alejandra C. Tobar as Young Esperanza, Adlyn Carreras as Older Esperanza, and Indira Addington, Pedro R. Bayón*, Sarah Broude, Marcos Lopez, Stephanie Ruas, in multiple roles.

The HOUSE ON MANGO STREET production team includes Dipankar Mukherjee (Director), Trevor D. Bowen (Costume Designer), Seitu Jones (Set Designer), Abbee Warmboe (Properties Designer), and Mike P. Kittel (Lighting Designer), Anita Kelling (Sound Supervisor). Wayne Hendricks is stage manager and Shayna J. Houp, assistant stage manager.

*Member, Actors Equity Association

Performance Schedule: Previews begin tonight, October 24 and run through October 30. October 31 is Opening Night, and the regular run continues through November 9. Student matinees run October 22 - November 21. Show times are 7:30 p.m.; Saturday performances are at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Sunday performances begin at 2 p.m. All performances are in the company's intimate 204-seat Andy Boss Thrust Stage in Saint Paul's historic Hamm Building, 20 W. Seventh Place.

Ticket prices: Previews: $25 and $35. Regular Run: $38 and $58. A $2 facility fee will be added to each ticket to help maintain Park Square's two stages. Discounts are available for seniors, those under age 30, and groups. Tickets are on sale at the Park Square box office, 20 W. Seventh Place, or by phone: 651.291.7005, (12 noon to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday), or online at www.parksquaretheatre.org.