Fri 15 Jun 2012 – 7:30 PM Chopin Theatre (Chicago) tix
Sat 16 Jun 2012 – 7:30 PM Chopin Theatre (Chicago) tix
Thu 21 Jun 2012 – 7:30 PM Chopin Theatre (Chicago) tix
Sat 23 Jun 2012 – 2:00 PM Chopin Theatre (Chicago) tix
Sun 24 Jun 2012 – 2:00 PM Chopin Theatre (Chicago) tix
Wed 27 Jun 2012 – 2:00 PM Chopin Theatre (Chicago) tix
Fri 29 Jun 2012 – 7:30 PM Chopin Theatre (Chicago) tix
Sat 30 Jun 2012 – 7:30 PM Chopin Theatre (Chicago) tix

CAST:
Robert Morrisey – Uncle Josef (“Josse”) Kuhbrot
Rose Guccione – Aunt Wilhemine (“Wimpel”) Kuhbrot
Julia Tarlo – Hanna
Elizabeth Schleicher – Julia de Weert
Damon Cole – Egon von Wildenhagen
Geoffrey Agpalo – August Kohlbrot
Josh Douglas – Rocerich de Weert
Kevin Grubb – Hans
Ed Budzilowicz – Karl

Matt Cataldi, Conductor
Elizabeth Margolius, Director
Jorge Niedas, Choreographer

SYNOPSIS:

On the eve of her eighteenth birthday, Julia is eager to be free of her guardians, Josse and Wimpel, who have been living off of Julia’s inheritance. Josse plots to marry Julia off to his nephew, August. This would keep the money in the family and preserve Josse’s free meal ticket. But Julia’s heart belongs to her childhood sweetheart, Roderich, whom she has not seen in many years. When a handsome stranger appears, Julia is convinced that he must be the long-lost Roderich. But who is he really?

Cinco de Salsation! May 5, 2012

Chicago’s premiere Latin improv and sketch comedy group is holding a fundraising fiesta to celebrate 14 years of presenting comedy with a Latin flavor! It will be a beautiful evening filled with fantastic food, entertainment and prizes! Check it out at http://www.salsation.org.

Salsation Theatre Company has been my comedic home since 2002 when I joined them as a writer, composer and cast member for My Big Fat Quinceañera. In 2004, I was invited into Salsation’s ensemble and joined their Board of Directors just last year.

Salsation Theatre Company, NFP: comedy with a LATIN flavor, is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to create and present works that consider the role of Latinos in America and to inspire and educate artists in the performing arts as a medium for self-expression.

Over these almost ten years, Salsation has provided me the opportunity to collaborate with some amazing writers, directors and performers, learn about and be actively involved in arts management and discover and develop talents I did not know I had. If anyone has benefited from Salsation’s two-fold mission, it is me!

We are fortunate to hold our event at Ristorante al Teatro in the heart of Pilsen. When fellow ensemble member Maria Mendoza and I met with the owner of the restaurant and theater, he gave us the grand tour of the place. The tour included the 800-seat theater modeled after the old Prague opera house and built before the 1893 World’s Fair. The theater is a Chicago Landmark and is being restored to its original grandeur. Even in its current state, I was overwhelmed by its layout and beautiful detail. I sang a phrase from Aida’s aria “Ritorna vincitor!” and could not believe the acoustics!

Salsation is a fantastic not-for-profit theater and Ristorante al Teatro is a great restaurant. I hope you will celebrate your Cinco de Mayo with us!

Who: Salsation Theatre Company, NFP – “comedy with a LATIN flavor”
What: Cinco de Salsation! A fiesta benefit for Salsation Theatre Company, NFP
Where: Ristorante al Teatro at Thalia Hall (Chicago Landmark), 1227 W. 18th St., Chicago
When: Thursday, May 5, 2012 (Cinco de Mayo) from 6-10PM
Tickets: $25 pre-sale; $30 at the door. Call (773) 828-9117 or purchase online at http://www.salsation.org

Entertainers for the evening include:

Armando Quintero
Classical Spanish Guitarist

Las Bompleneras
Popular All female Puerto Rican Bomba Group

Matt P. Torres
A hot up-and-coming comedian. You can see him at various venues such as the Laugh Factory Chicago & Cigars n’ Stripes in Chicago.

Horacio Ramirez
A veteran of the Chicago stand-up scene. You can see him at various venues such as Jokes N’ Notes, Laugh Factory Chicago, Chicago Center for the Performing Arts, Cigars n’ Stripes, Salsation. Runner-up in the 2011 Last Loco Standing Comedy Contest

Salsation Theatre Company, NFP
A Night of Improv and Sketch Comedy

About Salsation Theatre Company, NFP

The primary purposes of Salsation Theatre Company, NFP is the presentation and creation of comedic and other theatrical works which consider the role of Latinos in American society and related topics; and to inspire and educate Latinos and non-Latinos in the use of theatrical and other performing arts as a medium for self-expression.

– from “Mission Statement.” Salsation Theatre Company, NFP. 21 Mar. 2011. < http://www.salsation.org >

About Ristorante al Teatro

Ristorante Al Teatro is located at the corner of Allport and 18th St. inside the historic Thalia Hall, which was first built in 1892 as a hall for meetings, musical and theatrical productions. Let Ristorante al Teatro transport you into a time capsule where you can enjoy artesian gelato made daily on premises featuring 24 flavors. Add to that the exquisite experience of fresh roasted coffee, home-made pastry and you have a front row seat to the complete culinary performance! Chef’s table available weekly.

– from “About Us.” Ristorante al Teatro at Thalia Hall. 21 Mar. 2011. < http://www.alteatro.us >

About Thalia Hall

Built as a hall for meetings and for musical and theatrical productions, this building was named for Thalia, the Greek muse of comedy and pastoral poetry. Typical of such halls, this design incorporated retail and residential facilities, which helped to support the theater financially. Unique among buildings of this type is its interior theater, which was modeled after that of the Old Opera House in Prague, Czechoslovakia, where many of the residents of the surrounding Pilsen neighborhood had emigrated.

– from “Thalia Hall.” Chicago Landmarks. The City of Chicago’s Official Site. 21 Mar. 2011. < http://webapps.cityofchicago.org/landmarksweb >

One woman asked to be serenaded in her room.  She shared that her son died three months ago and that today was a special day between them.  She thanked us for the song and said it meant a lot to her.  Her sharing this painful and loving part of her life meant a lot to me.

Dominican University students, faculty and staff got a Valentine’s surprise fit for a Viking when Rose Guccione, adjunct professor of voice and proprietor of Operagram.com serenaded them in the Dining Hall. Because nothing says love like a Valkyrie.

Tanto tiempo disfrutamos este amor.
O, Maria “Mercedita” __________
pajarito de tu amor
Pipilito canta a ti:
¡Felicidades!

Tu amante Ramoncito __________,
caballero guapo y papá de tres,
predijo este conexión
en un grande avion.
¡Felicidades!

Que Ustedes sigan el baile
en el piso, en la cama, en la vida
con la salsa, y merengue
y boleros como este gran canción.

Con cinquenta años de su gran amor
disfrutado de pasión y de dolor
y de muchas cosas más,
que vienen cinquenta más,
¡Felicidades!