Pregones Theater Kicks-Off 30th Anniversary and Announces Premiere of ALOHA BORICUA

Pregones Theater, the award-winning ensemble and a leading performing arts attraction of the South Bronx Cultural Corridor, celebrates 30 years of arts excellence and unveils its season for 2009-2010. Highlights include the November premiere of a new Latino music theater production, Aloha Boricua, in tribute to the Puerto Ricans of Hawaii. The organization will have a 30th Anniversary Benefit performance on November 20th, and will also receive a 30th anniversary recognition at the annual gala of New York's HOLA- Hispanic Organization of Latin Actors on October 26th. A stellar roster of visiting artists will partake throughout the anniversary season. All performances are at Pregones Theater, 575 Walton Avenue, just south of Yankee Stadium and east of the Gateway Mall at Bronx Terminal Market. Event calendar and online ticket sales at www.pregones.org or by phone at 718-585-1202.

ALOHA BORICUA (World Premiere) - NOVEMBER 20-29, 2009

The rhythms of traditional Puerto Rican music and urban reggaetón collide in Pregones Theater's song-driven rendition of the historic migration of Puerto Ricans to Hawaii. Dazzled by the promise of a brighter future, a group of young sugarcane workers embarks on a one-way transoceanic trip. From it they emerge changed, but fired up to claim the prize that was promised. Multiple voices overlap in the telling of this unique story, including bigger-than-life Queen of the Hawaiian Islands Lili'uokalani and a younger generation of street-wise poets eager to make sense of it all. Based on a story by famed Puerto Rican writer and gay icon Manuel Ramos Otero. Production conceived and directed by Jorge B. Merced, with music composed in collaboration with Desmar Guevara, and additional lyrics by Rosalba Rolón. Sets and costumes by Harry Nadal. Lighting design by Esteban Lima. Ensemble cast: Shadia Almasri, Sol Crespo, Yaraní del Valle, Erickson Huertas, Indio Mel?ndez, Omar Pérez, and a live band led by Desmar Guevara and featuring master percussionist Anthony Carrillo. Performed in English & Spanish with supertitles for simultaneous translation. 30th Anniversary Gala Performance on November 20th. For more information: www.pregones.org

CREDITS: Aloha Boricua is the first Mainstage production of Pregones Theater's 30th Anniversary Season; creative development and premiere generously funded by the National Endowment for the Arts and American Express. This program is also made possible by the Ford Foundation; the Lila Acheson Wallace Theater Fund of the New York Community Trust; public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the City Council; and Southwest Airlines, the official airline of Pregones Theater.

ADDITIONAL PERFORMANCES DURING FOR THE FALL/WINTER SEASON

THE PHONE CALL + TEXTING 4 LIFE - STARTING OCTOBER 6, 2009

Pregones In Motion - the educational arm of Pregones Theater, resumes performances of The Phone Call, the domestic violence prevention show where the audience helps determine the outcome. The bilingual production smartly addresses the intersection of domestic violence and immigration, and is followed by frank dialogue with qualified counselors and legal experts. This year, the ensemble also introduces a second interactive forum theater production, Texting4Life, developed through creative workshops with Bronx middle school students. The play gives participants a chance to think critically about teen dating and healthy relationships, and is also followed by talks with peers and experts. Free performances will be presented at Pregones Theater, local schools, and other select venues. Partners in the Fall 2009 run of Pregones In Motion are The Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation and New York Empowerment Zone, The Bronx Domestic Violence Advisory Council, the Violence Intervention Program, and Start Strong Bronx, a project of Bronx-Lebanon Health Center, funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. For more information: www.pregones.org

VISITING ARTISTS

¡VIVA PINOCHO! A MEXICAN PINOCCHIO DECEMBER 2-5, 2009

Award-winning Teatro SEA's newest creation is a re-telling of the classic folktale Pinocchio from the perspective of a young Mexican immigrant.

PREGONES THEATER • 575 Walton Avenue, The Bronx, NY 10451

Pregones Theater is a Bronx-based ensemble whose mission is to create and perform original musical theater and plays rooted in Puerto Rican/Latino cultures, and to present other artists who share our twin commitment to the arts and civic enrichment. With a year-round calendar of events, bilingual programming for all ages, and multiple admission discount offers, Pregones Theater is helping transform the South Bronx into a vibrant arts and cultural district. Awards include Primary Cultural Institution Designation from the New York State Council on the Arts and New York State Governor's Arts Award.

Phone: 718-585-1202 Web: www.pregones.org