Second Stage Uptown's MALA HIERBA Begins Performances Off-Broadway Tonight

Second Stage Theatre continues the 2014 Uptown Series with the New York premiere of MALA HIERBA, written by Tanya Saracho (HBO's "Looking" and "Girls") and directed by Jerry Ruiz. MALA HIERBA will feature ROBERTA COLINDREZ, SANDRA MARQUEZ, MARTA MILANS, and ANA NOGUEIRA. Previews begin tonight, July 14th and opening night is Thursday, July 24th.

MALA HIERBA is presented at Second Stage Theatre's uptown home, the McGinn/Cazale Theatre on Broadway at 76th Street. Single tickets for MALA HIERBA are $25 and can be purchased by calling the Second Stage Theatre Box Office at 212-246-4422 or online at www.2ST.com.

"We're very excited to welcome Tanya Saracho and this amazing company of actresses to Second Stage Uptown," says Chris Burney, Curator of Second Stage Theatre Uptown. "Tanya's work is powerful, unexpected and very contemporary and we are extremely proud to be giving this new American play its world premiere."

Liliana has a sparkle few can deny and no one can resist. The trophy wife of a border magnate living in Texas, she's seemingly impeccable. But beneath that polished exterior lies a fierce determination to survive at any cost. When Liliana's true desires break the surface, she'll have to decide between the value of obligation and the price of freedom.

This production of MALA HIERBA features scenic design by Raul Abrego, costumes by Carisa Kelly, lighting design by Jennifer Schriever, and sound design by Jill BC Du Boff.

ROBERTA COLINDREZ (Maritza) is a New York City based actor, writer, and director. Theatre credits include Fun Home (Public Lab); Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind and The Complete and Condensed Stage Directions of Eugene O'Neill: vol 2 (New York NeoFuturists)? #therevolution (CTG)? Song for the Disappeared (Sundance Theater Lab). Film/TV: Boardwalk Empire (HBO), Gotham (FOX), F to 7th (webseries), Tako in Girls (HBO), Otis Under Sky (SXSW), Birdman (dir: Alejandro Gonzáles Iñárritu), The Artist's Assistant, Beautiful Dreamer.

SANDRA MARQUEZ (Yuya) is a long time ensemble member and former Associate Artistic Director of theater company Teatro Vista in Chicago. This show marks her Second Stage debut. Recent credits include The Motherfu**er with the Hat (Steppenwolf, dir. Anna Shapiro) and The Upstairs Concierge (Teatro Vista @ Goodman Theater, dir. Eric Ting) and Mojada (Victory Gardens, dir. Chay Yew). Her TV and Film credits include Prison Break, The Big Bang Theory, Boss, Chicago Code, and Timer.

MARTA MILANS (Liliana) was most recently a series regular on the ABC series, Killer Women. TV/Film: Law & Order: SVU, The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby, Devoured, Strangers (opposite James Denton, dir. Eric D. Howell), and Shame (opposite Michael Fassbender, dir. Steve McQueen).

ANA NOGUEIRA (Fabiola). Off-Broadway/New York: Knives and Other Sharp Objects (The Public/LAB), I'm Pretty F*cked Up (Clubbed Thumb), The Boy in the Bathroom (NYMF). National Tour: In the Heights. Regional: Cutman (Goodspeed), 26 Miles, Barrio Grrrl! (The Kennedy Center). Readings/Workshops at Playwrights Horizons, Atlantic, The Public, New York Stage and Film. Television: The Michael J Fox Show, Blue Bloods, Baby Daddy.