Rodney E. Reyes WHO AM I Begins 3/19 At Gene Frankel Theater

What if you could confront the one person who has hurt you worst of all, or the one you're most ashamed to face? Rodney E. Reyes looks at these questions of responsibility and redemption in his powerful drama WHO AM I. Written by Reyes and presented by Cuchipinoy Productions, WHO AM I will be performed at the Gene Frankel Theatre, located at 24 Bond Street, beginning on March 19th. The play will be directed by Reyes and Mario Corrales.

In a shadowy world, one seemingly ripped from reality, a man filled with alcohol and self-loathing tries to explain to his creation why he terminated her existence; a young woman confronts her mother who disappeared more than two decades earlier; a tormented man battles his inner self that he has been trying to deny all of his life; and a junkie with no hope whatsoever comes face to face with God. But when compassion and retribution walk hand in hand, and answers often only lead to more questions, the chance to ease one's pain does not come easily, if at all.

"I've always been fascinated by the issue of forgiveness," Reyes explained. "Specifically, what does one have to do to be forgiven not only by those they've wronged, but how can they forgive themselves for their own actions or lack thereof? With WHO AM I, different individuals get a chance to face their inner demons in the hope that someone, will pardon them. However it's not always as simple as just saying 'I'm sorry'".

Running through March 28th, WHO AM I will feature Patrick Annelli, Dian Mills, Ginny Moore, Brendan Naranjo, Okieriete Onaodowan, Anna Payumo, Rodney E. Reyes and Rachel Skrod.

Rodney E. Reyes is a co-artistic director and co-founder of Cuchipinoy Productions. He recently directed Apricot Sky Production's one-act production "Flush," as well as "Curing Ron" and "The War at Dawn" at the American Theatre of Actors. He was last seen as Sigmund Freud in Cuchipinoy Production's "Dark Sonnets of the Lady" in conjunction with the Rutgers/NJIT theatre program in Newark, NJ. He has directed for several theatre festivals including the Spotlight On Festival, Midtown International Theatre Festival and the New York International Fringe Festival. His new play "Anonymous" will debut in the Planet Connections Festival this June.

Mario Corrales (Set Designer/Co-Director) Rutgers Alumnus with a degree in Theatre Arts, Co-Artistic Director and head of the Productions Department of Cuchipinoy Productions. He has had the privilege of directing "The 4am 'lizbeth," "Leyendas," which he co-wrote with Rodney Reyes, and co-directing "Medieval [K]nights." Set and light design credits include "The 4am 'lizbeth," "Medieval [K]nights," "The Vagina Monologues - Hoboken 2004," "The Green Dragon," and "Leyendas."

Cuchipinoy Productions is dedicated to presenting plays that reflect the American multi-ethnic landscape and to providing new opportunities to actors, writers and directors of all ethnicities. As a predominantly young company, they embrace both new, innovative and daring plays as well as groundbreaking interpretations of the classics. They welcome writers, directors, actors and designers that push the boundaries of American theatre and strive to create productions that reflect the new, uncharted, frightening, complex and exciting world we live in today. Past productions by the company include "The 4am 'lizbeth, (Spotlight On Festival)" "Hitchcock in the Twilight Zone," "Medieval [K]nights," "Leyendas (Spotlight On Festival)" "The Green Dragon," "Now I Lie," "The Magnificent Mr. Vincent," Who Am I (Fourth Annual Midtown International Theatre Festival), "Babies With Rabies," Don Nigro's "The Dark Sonnets of the Lady." Additional information on the company can be found at www.cuchipinoy.com.

Running from March 19 to March 28, 2009, WHO AM I will be performed at the Gene Frankel Theatre, located at 24 Bond Street, between Lafayette Street and The Bowery. Show times are Wednesday-Friday at 8pm, Saturday at 3pm & 8pm and Sunday at 3pm. Tickets are $15.00 on Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday matinees; $20.00 on Friday and Saturday evenings. Tickets for students and seniors are $12.00 and $10.00 for groups of 10 or more. Reservations: 212-352-3101 or www.theatermania.com. Additional information can be found at www.whoamitheplay.com.

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