ESe Teatro + Sound Theatre Company present IMAGINARY OPUS

eSe Teatro is thrilled to partner with Sound Theatre Company to present the world premiere of an original new multimedia musical for a limited engagement, February 25th - 28th, 2018.

This multidisciplinary production includes 8 actors, live music with 4 musicians, and visual projections by abstract artist Lupita Cano.

"Celebrating the creative artist in us all and the power of art to overcome differences."

A boy sees the world in a different way. He finds the beauty in simple things, but has a hard time expressing himself in words and fitting in with the other children. Prone to sensory overload, he finds solace in his vivid imagination and his drawing. A traveling girl with a special talent becomes his mentor and shows him how to harness the power of his imagination.

This world premiere is co-presented with Sound Theatre Company in support of our shared vision as companies to HUMANIZE DIFFERENCES.

Rose Cano and David Nyberg have been collaborating for 3 years on this original musical, entitled Imaginary Opus. This multidisciplinary production includes visual projections by abstract artist Lupita Cano. Lupita Cano, self-advocate with Down Syndrome, explores the power of sound and color, while telling a story of self-discovery, acceptance, and inclusion of differences.

Imaginary Opus: A Sensory Experience in Two Acts.

A musical performance and art show

Music by David Nyberg
Book and lyrics by Rose Cano

Original artwork and additional material by Lupita Cano

Act I, a 45-minute musical performance, Imaginary Opus, is immediately followed by Act II, a solo art exhibit in the theatre lobby entitled "I Beg To Differ" by abstract artist Lupita Cano, curated by Venus Bravo De Rueda.

"I Beg To Differ" is a retrospective look at Lupita Cano's work over the past 20 years, raising awareness about artists with disabilities and the need to have more opportunities in the community to practice art.

There will be four performances of Imaginary Opus: February 25, 26, 27, 28. All show times 7pm. The solo art exhibit "I Beg To Differ" opens February 25th and will remain on exhibit until March 11th.

Sensory friendly room: The conference room adjacent to the lobby will serve as a quiet space to relax, hang out and do small scale arts and crafts and watercolor for those who feel uncomfortable in a noisy art exhibit setting. Those using the room must be accompanied by personal caregivers. There will be a general volunteer from the organization.

Accessibility: One performance will be an ASL interpreted performance. The venue is fully accessible for limited mobility.

Age Recommendation: All ages / all abilities

CREATIVE TEAM

Rose Cano Book & Lyrics

David Nyberg Composer

Lupita Cano Visual Artist

Rebecca Tourino Collinsworth Director

Josh Archibald-Seiffer Musical Director

Gerard Menendez Set Design
Iris Zacarias Lighting Design

Venus Bravo De Rueda Curator for "I Beg To Differ" exhibit

ABOUT ESE TEATRO

Founded in 2010, eSe Teatro's mission is to empower local Latino artists to create, produce and promote professional theater in English, Spanish, bilingual and Spanglish. eSe Teatro honors self-definition and inclusion, striving to represent "all the colors in the rainbow of brown," and to provide a voice for Latinx artists and communities by sharing culturally and socially relevant stories through innovative programming, workshops, and initiatives. Affiliated artists range from immigrants to U.S. born, Spanish-speaking and non-Spanish-speaking, representing cultures and heritages from all over The Americas and Caribbean.

eSe Teatro strives to provide professional opportunities to local Latinx artists by offering unique stories and programming that reflect our broad multicultural community.

Imaginary Opus Creative Team Bios:

About the Playwright/ Lyricist:

Rose Cano is a graduate of Cornish College of the Arts. She is co-founder and the Artistic Director of eSe Teatro: Seattle Latinos Take Stage since 2010. She is a bilingual actor, playwright, director and lyricist. Her plays Don Quixote & Sancho Panza - Homeless in Seattle and Bernie's Apt. were recently produced by eSe Teatro in partnership with ACT Theatre in Seattle. She translated and directed MUD (BARRO) by Maria Irene Fornes for eSe Teatro in 2017 and for the US Embassy in Lima, Peru in 1990.

She was granted permission to do the first-ever translation into Spanish of Elliot: A Soldier's Fugue by Pulitzer Prize winner, Quiara Alegría Hudes which was performed at ACT Theatre in 2016. Her latest translation, El Viaje De La Santa (The Journey Of The Saint) will be produced at ACT theatre in September of 2018. Other musicals include the book and lyrics for Mabaire: Don't Forget Me! and Callejon (The Alley).

Her one-woman shows include Self-Portrait and Tierra Sin Mal (Land Without Malice) which have been presented in Seattle (The Group Theatre), New York, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, Cuba, Mexico and Spain. Rose is on the Steering Committee for the Latinx Theatre Commons, a national alliance of Latina/o/x theater makers.

About the Composer:

David Nyberg is a freelance percussionist based in New York City. He has performed with the Orchestra of St. Luke's, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, American Symphony, New York City Opera, New York Pops, Seattle Symphony, New Jersey Symphony, Stamford Symphony, Opera Orchestra of New York and was principal timpanist with the Asia Pacific-United Symphony at the United Nations.

David was the percussionist for the entire 14 year Broadway production of Mamma Mia! and has also held the regular percussion chairs for the Broadway productions of Cats, Seussical and Liza's at the Palace. Other Broadway credits include: The Phantom of the Opera, Miss Saigon, The Lion King, The King and I, Passion, and Les Miserables, among others.

He has performed with Aretha Franklin, Kristen Chenoweth, and toured extensively with Liza Minnelli. David also performed with the Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular, the Mingus Epitaph conducted by Gunther Schuller and with the U.S. Military Band at West Point. In 2012 David recorded the CD "Solos for the Virtuoso Timpanist" by Fred D. Hinger. This is the collection of all 10 of Mr. Hinger's solo timpani pieces.

David holds a Bachelor of Music Degree from the Manhattan School of Music where he was a scholarship student of Fred D. Hinger. David is a Performing Artist for Freer Percussion and Yamaha Percussion Instruments.

About the Visual Artist:

Lupita Cano is a bold, abstract painter with a dynamic personality and a passion for creating art. Lupita, a Seattle native and proud self-advocate with Down Syndrome, discovered her love of painting over 18 years ago. Painting gives her pleasure and purpose and a sense of freedom and limitless possibilities not easily found in other aspects of her life. In 2001, with support from family, friends and disability professionals, Lupita translated her passion for painting into a career. She started her own business, AE Designs by Lupita, selling reproductions of her original work. Lupita has a natural gift for using color and composition and over the years, guided by intuition and heart, has evolved a unique and striking painting style.

In October 2007, Lupita was thrilled to exhibit her work in her first solo show, "Lupita Cano: Through My Eyes", at the Vision Gallery in downtown Seattle. Her second solo show "I Beg To Differ" was exhibited at the MOSA (Museum of Special Artists) in 2017. Lupita is very proud to own her own business and especially happy to be able to share her gifts and inspire others to listen to their hearts and take a chance.

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