Repertorio Espanol to Present BARCELO CON HIELO, Today

Repertorio Español will present the premiere of Barceló Con Hielo (Barceló On The Rocks) by Marco Antonio Rodriguez on Friday, June 13th at 8:00 PM.

Winner of the MetLife 'Nuestras Voces' National Playwriting Competition, "Barcelo? con hielo" (Barceló On The Rocks) is an extraordinary testament to the Dominican diaspora as well as a fresh perspective on the experience of immigration. A perfect mix of Caribbean nostalgia and contemporary Hispanic-American culture, "Barcelo? con hielo" (Barceló On The Rocks) is a beautiful display of Dominican history, language and culture - a tribute to one of the fastest growing and influential Hispanic groups in the United States.

Starring Marco Antonio Rodri?guez, Modesto Lacen, Jerry Soto, Iva?n Camilo, Manny de la Cruz, and Fernando Then.

Nino Antonio Orti?z - a man with a complicated past and dark secrets - is confronted by hallucinations of the late Dominican president Joaqui?n Balaguer. Transported between his youth in the island's countryside and his old age in his Washington Heights home, Nino must face the true origins of his bitterness before his time runs out.

A moving story about a father's relationship with his two sons, "Barcelo? con hielo" is a play with a universal message. It is an artistic view into the complexities of the immigrant experience that are often drowned out in pursuit of the American dream. At the same time it examines the ties to a former homeland that can be ignored, hidden and denied but never broken. Written phonetically in the style of the "El Cibao" region of the island, the play contains heavy traces of the vibrant cultural traditions of the island's countryside, history and the strong sense of longing that many immigrants feel or face.

"Barcelo? con hielo" (Barceló On The Rocks) will be presented in Spanish with captions in English and Spanish at Repertorio

Born and raised in New York City, with roots from the Dominican Republic, Marco is a graduate of La Guardia High School for the Performing Arts in NYC and holds a MFA degree from Southern Methodist University. He has acted, written, produced and directed hits such as "Pico de Gallo," "Heaven Forbid(s)!" (named Outstanding New Play by The Dallas/Fort Worth Theater Critics Forum) and the Southwest premiere of Rick Najera's Latinologues, which later moved on to Broadway).

His short screenplays, "Silence," "Mariscal" and "Covenant" all placed 1st at the NYC Midnight International Screenwriting Challenge. Silence was a finalist in the Creative World Awards, while "Mariscal" was a finalist in the Slamdance Writing Competition. His play, "La luz de un cigarrillo" (Ashes of Light), received an extended run by popular demand at New York's Off-Broadway Teatro LATEA, Lehman Stages and The Dominican Republic's Teatro Las Ma?scaras (where it currently has an open ended run). "La luz de un cigarillo" is the recipient of 5 HOLA, 4 ACE and 3 prestigious Soberano awards, including Outstanding Achievement in Playwriting and Directing. "La luz de un cigarrillo" has been published in both Spanish and English editions by NoPassport Press and has been added to the 2013-2014 Department of Hispanic Studies curriculum at The University Of Puerto Rico Spanish department curriculum as well as the 2013-2014 Spanish and Caribbean Studies Department Curriculum at Rutgers University in New Jersey. He has also written guest commentary for the national publication, "Latino Leaders Magazine."

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