DESTINY OF DESIRE Begins Tonight at Arena Stage

Carlos Gomez, an original cast member of Broadway's IN THE HEIGHTS, recently replaced Geoffrey Rivas as 'Ernesto del Rio' in the world premiere of Karen Zacarías' DESTINY OF DESIRE. The production runs tonight, September 11, through October 18, 2015 at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater.

Directed by José Luis Valenzuela, DESTINY OF DESIRE takes place on a stormy night in Bellarica, Mexico, when two baby girls are born -- one into a life of privilege and one into a life of poverty. When the newborns are swapped by a former beauty queen with an insatiable lust for power, the stage is set for two outrageous misfortunes to grow into one remarkable destiny. Helen Hayes Award-winning playwright Karen Zacarías (The Book Club Play) infuses the Latin American telenovela genre with music, high drama and burning passion to make for a fast-paced modern comedy. Part of the Women's Voices Theater Festival.

Gomez is thrilled to be making his Arena Stage debut. On Broadway, he originated the role of Kevin Rosario in the Tony Award-winning musical IN THE HEIGHTS. Other theater credits include ZORBA, WEST SIDE STORY, ONCE REMOVED and LIVING OUT (Mark Taper Forum). Film credits include DESPERADO, FOOLS RUSH IN, THE NEGOTIATOR, DOLPHIN TALE 2, HOUSE OF SAND AND FOG and THE PERFECT GAME. On television, he was awarded three Imagen Awards and nominated for an Alma Award for his part as 'Carlos Sanchez' in the A&E television series THE GLADES. Additional TV credits include FRIENDS, ER, CHARMED, 24, SHARK, CRIMINAL MINDS, WEEDS, CASTLE and GANG RELATED.

CAST:

Pilar Castillo: Esperanza America

Dr. Jorge Ramiro Mendoza: Oscar Ceville

Fabiola Castillo: Gabriela Fernandez-Coffey

Ernesto del Rio: Carlos Gomez

Dr. Diego Mendoza: Fidel Gomez

Hortensia del Rio: Rayanne Gonzales

Armando Castillo: Cástulo Guerra

Sister Sonia: Marian Licha

Sebastian Castillo: Nicholas Rodriguez

Victoria del Rio: Elia Saldaña

Augustín Lara, Jr.: Rosino Serrano

CREATIVE TEAM:

Director: José Luis Valenzuela

Set Designer: Francois-Pierre Couture

Costume Designer: Julie Weiss

Lighting Designer: Pablo Santiago

Sound Designer: John Zalewski

Wig Designer: Anne Nesmith

Original Music/Music Coordination: Rosino Serrano

Stage Manager: Kurt Hall

Assistant Stage Manager: Trevor Riley

Tickets for Destiny of Desire are $40-$90, subject to change and based on availability, plus applicable fees. For information on savings programs such as Pay-Your-Age tickets, student discounts, Southwest Nights, and Hero's Discounts, visit arenastage.org/shows-tickets/single-tickets/savings-programs. Tickets may be purchased online at arenastage.org, by phone at 202-488-3300 or at the Sales Office at 1101 Sixth St., SW, D.C.

Photo Credit: Tony Powell

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