ENFRASCADA Opens Clubbed Thumb's 16th Annual Festival of New Plays

Clubbed Thumb, the Obie Award-winning New York Theatre Company that commissions, develops and produces funny, strange, and provocative news plays, presents SUMMERWORKS 2011, its 16th annual festival of original works by American Playwrights, from June 5-25 at HERE Arts Center (145 6th Avenue) in Manhattan, it has been announced by Maria Striar, Clubbed Thumb's Producing Artistic Director.

Tanya Saracho's ENFRASCADA, directed by Jerry Ruiz, kicks off SUMMERWORKS 2011 on June 5, with performances through June 11.

In ENFRASCADA, when Alicia's world is turned upside down, she and her friends mine the underworlds of Brujeria, Santeria, and Hoodoo searching for that thing that will put it all back, the way it used to be.

The cast of ENFRASCADA includes Flora Diaz, Annie Henk, Anna Lamadrid, Jessica Pimentel and Christina Pumariega.

The production has set design by Steven C. Kemp, lighting design by Christian DeAngelis and sound design by Jana Hoglund.

Playwright Tanya Saracho's EL NOGALAR, an adaptation of THE CHERRY ORCHARD commissioned by Teatro Vista, is currently at the Goodman Theater in Chicago. Her plays include an adaptation of THE HOUSE ON MANGO STREET for Steppenwolf SYA; OUR LADY OF THE UNDERPASS; SURFACE DAY; KITA Y FERNANDA; QUITA MITOS; and the upcoming THE GOOD PRIVATE. She is a recipient of the Ofner Prize given by the Goodman Theater as well as a 3Arts Artists Award.

Director Jerry Ruiz's recent credits include 26 MILES by Quiara Hudes, SANGRE by Mando Alvarado, THE KING IS DEAD by Caroline V. McGraw, ELECTION DAY by Josh Tobiessen, THE NEAR EAST by Alex Lewin, and RATTLERS by Johnna Adams. Regional credits include WAITING FOR THE HEARSE at Mixed Blood in Minneapolis, TWELFTH NIGHT for Chalk Rep in Los Angeles and BLOOD WEDDING. Jerry has developed work at Second Stage, Soho Rep, The Public, Playwrights Horizons, The Atlantic, Oregon Shakespeare Festival and the Playwrights Realm.

SUMMERWORKS 2011 continues with Kristin Newbom and W. David Hancock's OUR LOT, directed by May Adrales, June 12-18; and Jason Grote's CIVILIZATION (ALL YOU CAN EAT), directed by Seth Bockley, June 19-25.

This production is part of HEREstay, HERE's curated rental program, which provides artists with subsidized space and equipment, as well as technical and administrative support.

SUMMERWORKS 2011 runs June 5-25 at HERE Arts Center (145 6th Avenue, enter at Dominick Street, one block south of Spring Street): Sundays-Saturdays (no shows Wednesday) at 8:30pm Admission is $18 for adults and $15 for students. For tickets, call 212-352-3101 or visit at www.here.org. Tickets also available at the HERE Arts Center box office.

For more information, visit www.ClubbedThumb.org