Rivera, Miranda, Daniele, & More Join Latino Theatre Fest

New York's Premier Latino Theater Festival Returns for 2nd Season TeatroStageFest June 2 -15. Featuring 8 international productions, concerts and comedy, family theater with appearances by John Leguizamo, Chicago star Bianca Marroquín, Grammy nominee Bobby Sanabria, Marga Gomez, Graciela Daniele, Lin-Manuel Miranda, LAByrinth Theater Company & much more.

TeatroStageFest, the celebrated theater festival that spotlights great theater from New York, Latin America, the Caribbean, and Spain,
returns for a second year to make New York City the capital of Latino theater nationwide.  The second annual Festival will run June 2-15,
2008 and will feature 8 full-length local and international theater productions, an intimate concert and comedy series, artist panels, a
TeatroStageFamily show for children, and a playwriting competition for high school students. All productions are accessible in both Englishand Spanish. Box office and public information is available at www.teatrostagefest.org or 212-695-4010.

"The tremendous success of last year's inaugural TeatroStageFest provides the momentum to bring together thousands of multi-cultural
and multi-generational theater lovers and culture seekers once again, eager to celebrate great theater for all audiences!  With something
for everyone, our festival features new voices from Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Spain, side by side with the great work created by New York based Latino theater companies,"  said Susana Tubert, Executive Producer of TeatroStageFest and Co-Founder of the Latino International Theater Festival of New York, Inc.

Presented by the Latino International Festival of New York, a nonprofit organization born out of the New York City Latin Media and
Entertainment Commission (LMEC), TeatroStageFest is sponsored by Time Warner (Founding Sponsor), El Diario/La Prensa, The New York Times, and Univision 41 (Principal Media Sponsors), and American Airlines (Official Airline).  The Festival will feature programming in Manhattan, and for the first time Queens and The Bronx.

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, a supporter of TeatroStageFest since its inception, said:  "The second annual TeatroStageFest is one of the
many examples of the fun and exciting events that can only be produced in New York City. Together with our Latin Media and Entertainment Commission, the festival has been working to showcase the diverse culture and talent that makes New York such a unique and attractive destination. As we move forward with our mission of making our City the Latin media and entertainment capital of the world, this June the Latino International Theater Festival will make New York City the capital of Teatro."

Jose W. Fernandez, Chairperson and Co-Founder of the Latino International Theater Festival of New York, Inc., added: "TeatroStageFest continues to grow and we are delighted that this year we will bring our events and productions directly into local neighborhoods.  We believe in making quality Latino theater accessible to everyone, while also promoting cultural tourism and economic development in different areas.  TeatroStageFest showcases Teatro, and it also showcases New York."

A complete schedule of TeatroStageFest 2008 is as follows:

June 2 at 7:30pm:
Bianca Marroquín
Joe's Pub, 425 Lafayette Street (at Astor Place).
The star of Broadway's "Chicago" celebrates her journey from Mexico to Broadway in a world music extravaganza covering show tunes, Mexican standards and original songs.

June 2 at 9:30pm:
Bobby Sanabria
Joe's Pub, 425 Lafayette Street (at Astor Place).
The multiple Grammy Award nominated drummer, percussionist, composer and arranger, adds spice to TeatroStageFest with his Quartero Ache and his legendary fusion of sounds that continues to redefine Latin Jazz.

June 3 at 6pm:
Opera at TeatroStageFest
Cervantes Institute, 211-15 East 49th Street, between 2nd and 3rd Avenues.
Dialogues with three members of the new generation of opera singers.
Featuring:  Kristin Chavez (Mezzo-Soprano), Gaston Rivero (Tenor) and John Andrew Fernandez (Baritone). Moderator: Midge Woolsey, 96.3 WQXR. Presented with WQXR FM. Free Admission. RSVP Required: 212-695-4010 or info@teatrostagefest.org

June 6 - 8:
Narcissus (Chile)
Teatro Círculo, 64 East 4th St (between 2nd Ave. and Bowery).
One of the most relevant plays to come out of Chile's fringe theater, Narcissus blends physical theater, pop music, and a non-traditional
setting to expose the dangerous games played by upper class teenagers who have everything except motivation.  Performed by Teatro de Chile (Santiago, Chile).  Written and directed by Manuela Infante.  In Spanish with English supertitles.  June 6 at 8pm, June 7 at 3 & 8pm,
June 8 at 3pm.

June 6 -8:
Flour &  Lifeguard (Argentina)
Repertorio Español, 138 East 27th St. (off Lexington Ave.).
Two moving one-act plays reveal "the other" Argentina we rarely hear about. In Flour a young baker in a remote provincial town recounts a time when the railroad brought people together with the promise of progress. Lifeguard weaves an unlikely but tender connection between a retired lifeguard and a caretaker who has come to tend to his terminally ill wife. Two deceivingly simple yet profound new plays. Performed by Grupo Doble Ve (Buenos Aires, Argentina).  In Spanish with live English translation.  June 6 at 8pm, June 7 at 8pm, June 8 at 3 & 6:30pm.

June 6 - 8:
Borinquen Lives in El Barrio  (New York)
Hostos Center for the Arts, 450 Grand Concourse at E. 149th Street.
When an unexpected visitor challenges the cultural contradictions of a Puerto Rican family in East Harlem, everyone is forced to reexamine the past, present, and future of the island. A politically charged drama that is unbiased, moving, and brutally honest.Performed by By Hostos Repertory Company (Bronx, NY). Written by Tere Martinez and directed by Angel Morales.  Bilingual (English and Spanish Dialogue).
June 6 at 7pm, June 7 at 3pm, June 8 at 3pm.

June 6 -8:
The Toothache of King Farfán
Teatro Heckscher at El Museo del Barrio, 1230 5th Ave., (at E. 104th Street).
This delightful classic children's operetta recounts the story of a toothache-suffering king who learns to love and respect others. Featuring 20 life size puppets, musicians and singers. Performed by SEA Theater (New York, NY/San Juan, PR).  Part of the TeatroStageFamily Series.  Original book and lyrics by Serafín & Joaquín Álvarez Quintero.  Contemporary score by Manuel Morán & Iván Alexander Bautista.  Directed by Manuel Morán.  Bilingual (English and Spanish Dialogue).  June 6 at 11:30am & 6pm, June 7 at 7:30pm, June 8
at 5pm.  Suggested for ages 8+.

June 7 at noon:
Visiones: From the Page to the Stage I
Cervantes Institute, 211-15 East 49th Street, between 2nd and 3rd Avenues.
An intimate dialogue with local and international actors, playwrights, and directors whose work can be seen in performance during the first week of TeatroStageFest 2008. Featuring Featuring: Manuela Infante/Teatro de Chile (Santiago, Chile), Carolina Tejeda and Román
Podolsky/Teatro Doble Ve (Buenos Aires, Argentina), Tere Martinez and Angel Morales/Hostos Repertory Company (Bronx, NY), and Angel Gil Orrios/Thaila Spanish Theater (Queens, NY). Free Admission.  RSVP Required: 212-695-4010 or info@teatrostagefest.org

June 9 at 6pm:
Go Behind the Curtain
The New York Times Center, 242 West 41st Street.
TeatroStageFest 2008 celebrates the talent of Broadway artists.
Featuring performer Bianca Marroquín (Chicago and The Pajama Game), Director/Choreographer Graciela Daniele (Ragtime, Once on this Island, Chita Rivera: The Dancer's Life, Annie Get Your Gun, Chronicle of a Death Foretold), Lin-Manuel Miranda (In The Heights) and Eugenio Derbez (Latinologues)  Part of the New York Times' "Times Talks" Series.  $20. Tickets and info: 1.888.NYT.1870 or
TimesTalks@nytimes.com.

June 9 at 7:30pm:
Meet John Leguizamo
The New York Times Center, 242 West 41st Street.
Conversation with Emmy and three-time ALMA award winner John Leguizamo about his anticipated return to the stage this fall in "American Buffalo," directed by Robert Falls, and his upcoming role in the movie "The Happening," opening June 13.  Part of the New York Times' "Times Talks" Series.  $20. Tickets and info: 1.888.NYT.1870 or TimesTalks@nytimes.com.

June 9 at 9:30pm
Marga Gomez & Carmelita Tropicana
Joe's Pub, 425 Lafayette Street (at Astor Place).
INTAR Theatre's production of Marga Gomez in Talkin' Funny (the culturally confused comic disclosures of a Latina from Long Island who can't speak Spanish, struggles with a Salsa disorder, and looks at JLo's film Gigli for the meaning of life) and Carmelita Tropicana in Ole! (Tall tales of love with an apparition by St. Teresa in the Monastery of the Cartuja revealing why Latinos make the best lovers). Presented with INTAR Theater..  (New York, NY).

June 12 -14:
Women in War (Colombia).
Queens Theater in the Park (Flushing Meadows Corona Park).
Based on journalistic testimonies by real-life women who bravely faced war-torn days in Colombia, renowned actress Car¬lota Llano performs four distinct and gripping portrayals of human strength. Directed by Fernando Montes (Bogotá, Colombia).  In Spanish with English supertitles.  June 12 - 14 at 8:00pm.

June 13 -15:
Those Who Last Laugh  (Spain)
Skirball Center at New York University,  566 LaGuardia Place (Washington Square South).
"Meet the fantastic Zarandini Brothers!" A troupe of rag tag-performers embarks on a magical epic journey that leads them everywhere and nowhere at the same time. World renowned La Zaranda returns to NY with an existentialist tragicomedy as part of its 30th
anniversary tour.. Written by Eusebio Calonge and directed by Paco de la Zaranda.  In Spanish with English supertitles.  June 13 &14 at 8pm, June 15 at 3pm.

June 13 -15:
Dona Flor and her Two Husbands
Repertorio Español, 138 E. 27th St. (off Lexington Ave.)
Be it magical realism or wishful thinking, Dona Flor manages to live and sleep with her new husband and the spirit of her deceased spouse in this delightful Brazilian comedy based on Jorge Amado's best selling novel.  Performed by Repertorio Español (New York, NY). Adaptation by Veronica Triana and Jorge Ali Triana.  Directed by: Jorge Ali Triana. In Spanish with live English interpretation.  June 13-14 at 8pm, June 15 at 3pm & 6:30pm.

June 14 at noon:
Visiones: From the Page to the Stage II
Cervantes Institute, 211-15 East 49th Street, between 2nd and 3rd Avenues.
 An intimate dialogue with local and international actors, playwrights, and directors whose work can be seen in performance during the second week of TeatroStageFest 2008. Featuring: Featuring: Eusebio Calonge and Paco de la Zaranda/Teatro La Zaranda (Andalucia,
Spain), Jorge Ali Triana/Repertorio Espanol (Manhattan, New York), Carlota Llano and Fernando Montes/Mujeres en la Guerra, (Bogota, Colombia), Manuel Morán/Teatro SEA (Manhattan, New York).Free Admission.  RSVP Required: 212-695-4010 or info@teatrostagefest.org

June 14 at 4pm:
Young Playwrights Latino Challenge 2008 Awards Ceremony
Apollo Theater, 253 West 125 Street.
LAByrinth Theater Company returns to TeatroStageFest for the staged reading of the top winning play in the Second Annual Young Playwrights Latino Challenge, chosen among 82 original plays submitted by high school students citywide in the competition.

June 14 -15:
Picasso  FLAMENCOunt of Orgaz
Teatro Heckscher at El Museo del Barrio, 1230 5th Ave. at E. 104th Street.
A fusion of Pablo Picasso's poetic texts titled The Burial of Count Orgaz, projections of his paintings, Cubist masks, and the passion of
live fla¬menco takes audiences on a unique theatrical journey into the mind of the man who forever transformed contemporary art.  Performed by By Thalia Theater (Queens, NY). Directed by Angel Gil Orrios with music by Basilio Georges and choreography by Aurora Reyes. Alternating performances in English and Spanish languages, June 14 at 3pm & 7pm and June 15 at 3pm.

TeatroStageFest box office and public information is available at www.teatrostagefest.org or 212-695-4010.