LATINA CHRISTMAS SPECIAL Is Back: Laughs, More Laughs, Music & Escandalo

Bursting with laughs, more laughs, music and escandalo (scandal!), The Latina Christmas Special, written and performed by acclaimed comedians Diana Yanez, Maria Russell and Sandra Valls, returns to The Los Angeles Theatre Center for a third year of holiday joy. Directed by Geoffrey Rivas, the Latino Theater Company production runs Dec. 1 though Jan. 7, with one low-priced preview on Nov. 30.

You thought your holidays with the family were dramatic? Wait until you hear these touching and hilarious Christmas stories of holidays past from three first-generation Latinas: the Texas native, Mexican-American Valls (Showtime's Latin Divas of Comedy); Miami-born, Cuban-American Yanez (Margaret Cho's The Sensuous Woman); and, the daughter of "an over-dedicated Mexican mother and compliant Lithuanian father," Russell (MTV's Teen Wolf; Warner Brothers/New Line Cinema's Lights Out). When these three sassy friends get together, they drink plenty of tequila, dish about everything from moms to cucarachas to Farrah Fawcett, and share their funny and surprisingly personal stories of childhood Christmas "dramas."

"These stories touch each and every audience member, no matter their background, on many different levels," Rivas said. "They are also a window into some of the beautiful traditions we have within the Latino community."

According to Yanez, "The 'special' in the title is an homage to all the TV shows we watched growing up - all those 'Christmas Specials' that we so closely identified with during the holidays, but that had no Latinos in them (or maybe just Jose Feliciano)."

Four years ago Rivas, who had seen an earlier version, offered to direct and bring the show to The LATC where it was a huge success. In its "Critic's Choice" review, the Los Angeles Times called Rivas' production "hilarious and heartwrenching... [a] very special 'Special'," and Stage Raw hailed its "universal humor, gumption, sass and hearts brimming with dynamic stories."

The creative team for The Latina Christmas Special includes set designer Michael Navarro, lighting designer Noah Gamboa and sound designer Ivan Robles.

The Latino Theater Company is dedicated to providing a world-class arts center for those pursuing artistic excellence; a laboratory where both tradition and innovation are honored and honed; and a place where the convergence of people, cultures and ideas contribute to the future. Now in its 31st year, LTC has operated The Los Angeles Theatre Center, a facility of the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs and a landmark building in Downtown's Historic Core, since 2006.

Performances of The Latina Christmas Special take place Dec. 1 through Jan. 7 on Thursdays and Fridays at 8 p.m.; Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; and Sundays at 3 p.m., with one additional performance on Monday, Dec. 18 at 8 p.m. (dark Dec. 15 and Dec. 24 through Jan. 3). There will be one preview performance, on Thursday, Nov. 30 at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $32 - $37; preview tickets range from $22 - $27. (Discounts available for students, seniors and military veterans.) The Los Angeles Theatre Center is located at 514 S. Spring St., Los Angeles, CA 90013. For more information and to purchase tickets, call (866) 811-4111 or go to www.thelatc.org.

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