Lead actor Rene Rivera
Runs January 27 – February 12th
Boyle Heights, CA – Casa 0101 Theater Founder Josefina López, will be co-produceing, along with with David Llauger-Meiselman, Founder/Artistic Director, American Latino Theatre Company in association with CoActive Content, Founder/Artistic Director, Stacey Martino in the co-production of the critically acclaimed play, The King of the Desert. King of the Desert is written by Stacey Martino, performed by René Rivera, and helmed by award-winning director, Sal Romeo, all Lifetime Members of The Actors Studio. This production in sponsored in part by Tamayo & Associates, real estate services.
The co-production will be presented on the new Main Stage of Casa 0101; 2102 East First Street; Los Angeles, CA 90033 on Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. and Sundays at 7:00 p.m., January 27 – February 12, 2012. Opening Night is Friday, January 27, 2012 at 8:00 p.m. The Los Angeles Times has raved “there’s nothing ordinary about Rivera’s mercurial range, which director Sal Romeo surrounds with a plush production…funny and wrenching…striking set…masterful lighting…painterly videos…well judged sound cues…a solo show of noteworthy interest.” Theatermania.com writes: “René Rivera delivers a galvanizing performance.” Valley Scene Magazine writes: “Leaves you breathless. René Rivera is Al Pacino’s acting soul mate.”
The King of the Desert explores the way our cultural identity often informs our personal view of ourselves and in turn affects our children. The play strives to present accurate Mexican American history that is often overlooked as seen through the eyes of one ordinary man surmounting extraordinary struggles. During a time in which immigration issues and stereotypical images of Latinos are still prevalent in society today, this play focuses on a forgotten story, a true account of a Mexican American experience.
Concurrently throughout the run of the play an exhibition of Milagros (artwork created by young Latino children representing their dreams and aspirations) will be on display at the theatre.
Originally produced at the El Centro Theatre in Hollywood, CA in 2010 under the direction of Valentino Ferreira, The King of the Desert, was most recently presented at the El Portal Theatre in North Hollywood, CA in 2011. The new production of The King of the Desert at Casa 0101 will be staged by multiple award-winning director, Sal Romeo. The set is designed by Danuta Tomzynski, with lighting by Jeremy Pivnick and visual effects by Mat Hale.
López remarked on the co-production, “We are very excited to bring this beautiful new production to our theatergoers here in Boyle Heights. The play’s content and story about a Mexican American boy’s journey from a Texas barrio to The Juilliard School and Broadway is empowering and important for people of all ethnic backgrounds to experience.”
Llauger-Meiselman talked about the educational component, “During the course of the run of this production, local students from East Los Angeles schools will be bussed in to see the production. These performances will be followed by informal discussions with actor René Rivera and the students, who will have an opportunity to learn how René changed his life’s path from his early beginnings growing up in a barrio to where he is in life today. The student performances will be given at 1:00 p.m. on Sundays, January 29th, February 5th and February 12th.”
Tickets are $20 each for General Admission. Tickets for Students and Seniors are $17 each. Tickets for Groups of six or more are $17 each. Tickets for Boyle Heights residents with identification are $15 each. The running time of the play is approximately 80 minutes without intermission. For reservations and further information please call the Box Office at 323-263-7684, or buy online at tickets@casa0101.org or at www.casa0101.org. Ample street parking is available surrounding the theatre. For further information about the co-production, please visit the website,www.thekingofthedesert.com. To view some performance footage from the play, please visit http://www.youtube.com/user/CoActiveContent#p/u/2/z0wTLmFlYPw. Network with CoActive Content at www.facebook.com/CoActiveContent and tweet with us at www.twitter.com/CoActiveContent.
The Production Team includes: Josefina López, David Llauger-Meiselman; Felipe Alejandro, Co-Producer; Stacey Martino, Playwright and Co-Producer; Heather Mendoza, Associate Producer and Costumer Designer; Sal Romeo, Director; Toree Elston-Moore, Assistant Director; Danuta Tomzynski, Set Designer; Michael Brainard, Set Builder; Jeremy Pivnick, Lighting Designer; David B. Marling, Sound Designer; Mat Hale, Video Designer; Maurie Gonzalez, Production Stage Manager; Steve Moyer Public Relations, Press Representative.
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