World Premiere JUST LIKE US Plays The Stage Theatre, Now thru 11/3

The World Premiere of JUST LIKE US by Karen Zacarías, based on the book by Helen Thorpe in a Denver Center commission will run tonight, October 4 - November 3 in The Stage Theatre. Opening: Thursday, October 10 at 6:30pm.

Based on Helen Thorpe's bestselling book, this play follows four Latina girls in Denver as immigration status begins to erode their opportunities - and their friendships. When the crime of an illegal immigrant ignites a political firestorm, the girls, the city and the nation must ask themselves who has the right to live in America when achievements and documents collide.

Just Like Us had two workshops: one in 2012 in Los Angeles and one as part of the 2013 Colorado New Play Summit. This play was commissioned by DCTC Producing Artistic Director Kent Thompson, who first approached Helen Thorpe for permission to adapt her book for the stage and then approached Karen Zacarías (Mariela in the Desert) about writing the adaptation.

Playwright Karen Zacarías was raised in Mexico until age 9, when she came to the United States with her family.

An undocumented immigrant can no longer become a citizen by simply marrying a US citizen. Under the current laws, the only way for that immigrant to get their papers would be to go back to their country of origin and apply for citizenship from there. This process could take as much as ten years or longer. Financially it is very difficult for undocumented students to attend college, as they are not allowed to apply for federal grants, loans or work study jobs.

"I grew up in Denver (Park Hill). My father was in journalism and worked for the Aurora Sentinel for a long time. At the time of his death 11 years ago, he knew most of the news people in town. My mom was a reporter as well and in her senior years, she became enamored equally with the Latino community, Spanish and baseball, specifically the Rockies. She convinced the Spanish newspaper here in Denver to let her write a baseball column. She'd interview the Hispanic players on the team and then have her Spanish teacher translate her column for the newspaper. My brother's family lives in the now "Sunnyside" area of Denver, near North High School. My niece won a scholarship in sixth grade for interviewing a female immigration lawyer about her work. When Kent called me and told me about a play adapted by the renowned playwright Karen Zacarías from a book written by a journalist (Helen Thorpe) in Denver about Mexican immigrants here, my interest was piqued. I'd read the New Yorker article about Helen's husband, about Manual High School. There were too many personal interests in the territory this play covers. My interest was deepened after I read the play and cemented once I'd read the book. Without revealing my politics - actually, I think immigration is a human issue, not a political one - and my own personal connections to the city it's based in, I felt that this play is an important one. It can achieve what theatre is meant to - challenge a community, make it think, illicit a response about its own life, examine its values and behavior through characters who may see the world from a different perspective. These are terrific characters to play, the extraordinary four girls and this privilegEd White journalist. I get to be in a diverse cast, another plus. Lastly, I thought my parents would be proud of me for doing this show." - Mary Bacon, actor playing the role of Helen Thorpe

"'Where are you from?' I always get asked after someone hears my accent. It seems it is a natural impulse to define where one belongs. We live trapped in clubs, nations, races, colors, definitions that are hard to break from yet we seem not to be able to live without. Just Like Us is about choosing who you want to be in spite of all statistics, stereotypes and labels that society throws at us; it's about finding the courage to build your own destiny." - Yunuen Pardo, actor playing the role of Marisela and Raul Gomez Garcia

"Just Like Us is a story about empowerment. It gives a voice to these four incredible young women. I can't wait for the community to see the power that a 17 year old girl can have. If all students fought this hard for their education - imagine the change in the world." - Allison Watrous, actor playing the role of Kelly Young and Carol Vizzi

CAST:

Helen Thorpe Mary Bacon

Marisela/Raul Gomez Garcia/Ensemble Yunuen Pardo

Yadira/Spanish Translator/Ensemble Adriana Gaviria

Clara/Ensemble CYNTHIA BASTIDAS

Elissa/Zulema/Sandra Rivas/Ensemble RUTH LIVIER

Fabián/Tom Tancredo/Ensemble Richard Azurdia

Josefa/Alma/Donnie's Mother/Ensemble Alma Martinez

Yolanda/Cynthia Poundstone/Evelyn Elstrom/Ensemble Gabriella Cavallero

Kelly Young/Carol Vizzi/Ensemble ALLISON WATROUS

Ramiro/Julio/Ensemble FIDEL GOMEZ

CU Recruiter/Mike McGarry/Officer Bishop/Ensemble Steven Cole HUGHES

Mr. Smith/Jim Spence/Judge Naves/Ensemble CAJARDO RAMEER LINDSEY

Carlos/Cezar Mesquita/Frederico Peña/Ensemble Felix Solis

Irene Chavez/Ana/Lisa Martinez/Ensemble Liza Fernandez

Luke/Bailiff/Frosty Woolridge/Ensemble CASEY PREDOVIC

ARTISTIC STAFF:

Director Kent Thompson

Assistant Director JOSE ANTONIO MERCADO

Scenic Designer Kevin Rigdon

Costume Designer KEVIN COPENHAVER

Lighting Designer Don Darnutzer

Projection Designer CHARLIE I. MILLER

Sound Designer CRAIG BREITENBACH

Composer DEBORAH WICKS LA PUMA

Movement Coach Laurence Curry

Dramaturg Douglas Langworthy

Voice and Dialect Coach KATHRYN G. MAES Ph.D

Spanish Coach Gabriella Cavallero

EVENTS:

Directors Society Evening | October 23

Directors Society consists of loyal theatre patrons who want to provide support for the continued success of the Denver Center Theatre Company. This group enjoys an 8-play Wednesday night subscription with cocktails before the show and dinner with the cast immediately following each play. Producing Artistic Director Kent Thompson provides a behind-the-scenes glimpse into each production during dinner. For more information visit www.denvercenter.org/members.

Fourth Wall | October 30

Fourth Wall is a fun and affordable way to become a theatre patron, gain backstage access to The Denver Center, and network with other social, young professionals.* Tickets to this event include a seat at the show and a post-show mixer with light apps and cocktails.

For more information visit www.denvercenter.org/fourthwall.
*Fourth Wall is for theatergoers ages 21-39

American Sign Language Interpretation/Audio Described Performance | November 3, 1:30pm

CONNECT:

Spark a dialogue today when you connect through our free discussion series.

From Page to The Stage | September 17 at 12pm-1pm

How did the powerful story of four Denver students divided by their immigration status make the journey from the page to the stage? Find out Sept. 17 as we launch a new season of free lunchtime conversations at the downtown Tattered Cover Bookstore. Join best-selling local author Helen Thorpe, who documented the lives of four Latina girls in Denver whose paths converged until their opportunities split apart. Playwright Karen Zacarías will share her experience of adapting this powerful, true story for the stage. Page to Stage, a program brought to you by the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, is a series of free events designed to enrich your theatre experience and spark a conversation.

Perspectives on the Play | October 4 at 6pm

The DCTC's creative team provides the audience a unique perspective on the production. In The Jones Theatre.

General Talkback | October 13, post-show

Join us for a discussion with the actors from the show.

Talkback hosted by the Higher Education Advisory Council | October 20, post-show

Join the cast for a discussion led by members of our academic community.

Theatre & Theology | October 22, post-show

In a continued partnership with Pastor Dan Bollman of the Rocky Mountain Evangelical Lutheran Synod, this discussion examines the relevant connections to the productions through the theological lens.

For more information on CONNECT, visit www.denvercenter.org/CONNECT.

PERFORMANCE DATES: Tuesday - Thursday 6:30pm; Friday & Saturday 7:30pm; Saturday & Sunday matinee 1:30pm.

Single tickets for Just Like Us start at $36 (non-SCFD) and also are available for $10 (SCFD 10 for $10 program). To purchase, call Denver Center Ticket Services at 303.893.4100. For groups of 10 or more, call 303.446.4829. TTY (for Deaf and hard-of-hearing patrons): 303.893.9582. Tickets also may be purchased at the Denver Center Ticket Office, located in the Helen Bonfils Theatre Complex lobby. Buy and print online at www.denvercenter.org. Student rush $10 tickets are available one hour prior to curtain with a valid student ID subject to availability. Senior and military rush tickets are available one hour prior to curtain, subject to availability. No children under four will be admitted to any theatre.

The Denver Center for the Performing Arts is supported in part by the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD). Please visit www.denvercenter.org. The Tony Award-winning Denver Center Theatre Company, helmed by Producing Artistic Director Kent Thompson, is currently in its 35th season of offering classic, contemporary and new works to the American West.

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