HOLA Member Bochinche

Bochinche refers to "gossip." In this sense, we use it to mention HOLA members or Friends of HOLA who are getting acting and performance gigs. The names of HOLA members and Friends of HOLA are listed below in boldface.

Robin De Jesús, shown at left, will headline the cast of the musical Disney's Aladdin, where he will play the title role. With a book by Chad Beguelin, music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice (additional lyrics by Beguelin), the musical is based on the Disney animated film of the same name (written by Ron Clements, John Musker, Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio and directed by Clements and John Musker). Also announced in the cast is John Tartaglia (The Genie), Jason Graae (Omar), Curtis Holbrook (Iago), Francis Jue (Kassim), Eddie Korbich (Babkak), Samantha Massell (Jasmine), Ken Page (The Sultan) and Thom Sesma (Jafar). The production is scheduled for a July run at the Muny Theater (America's oldest and largest outdoor musical theater) in St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.A. and will be choreographed by Alex Sánchez and directed by Gary Griffin. For more information, click here, here, here.

 
Caridad De La Luz (also known by her nom de poésie et de musique La Bruja) will be performing in June in La Mezclatina's production of Bx-Rated at Casita María in the Hunts Point section of the Bronx. A collaborative, multidisciplinary work, the show explored issues of first- and second-generation Latina identity in the tightrope between urban life and ancestry.

Johnathan Cedano will be singing and playing guitar in June at the cabaret event Night of 1000 Lovers/Noche de mil amantes as part of the 2012 Out Like That festival at the Bronx Academy of Arts and Dance (BAAD!), located in the Hunts Point section of the Bronx.For more information, click here.

Senta Pérez-Gardner, Christopher López and Sara Braun will be acting in the upcoming short film Graffiti Dancer (written and directed by Pérez-Gardner). Pérez-Gardner found López, shown at right, through the HOLA online directory of talent.

Rhina Valentín can be seen hosting the BronxNet talk show "Open" live every Friday morning. For more information (or to see episodes of the show online), click here.

Marcelino Feliciano and Michael Maino will star in the short film S.O.B. (written, directed and produced by Matt Nye). For more information, click here or here.

If you are an HOLA member or a Friend of HOLA and want to submit a bochinche item, send us an e-mail. If you are not an HOLA member, why not join? If you are not a Friend of HOLA, why not become one?

HOLA presents HOLA After The Curtain: CHIMICHANGAS AND ZOLOFT

Hispanic Organization of Latin Actors (HOLA) presents

HOLA After The Curtain
HOLA Después Del Telón

a post-performance discussion with the company of
the Atlantic Theater production of

CHIMICHANGAS AND ZOLOFT

with Teddy Cáñez, Zabryna Guevara, Alfredo Narciso,
Xochitl Romero and Carmen Zilles

Moderated by José Bayona

After the disappointment of her 40th birthday, Sonia leaves her family and goes on a prescription Zoloft and greasy chimichangas binge. Meanwhile, her daughter Jackie and best friend Penelope team up to get Sonia back home. Their fathers continue their ongoing infatuation with each other as the girls struggle to keep the families intact. This irreverent story examines happiness and sexuality through the eyes of brazen teenagers.

Immediately following the performance on
Wednesday, June 6, 2012 at 7:30pm

Atlantic Theater Stage 2
330 West 16th Street
(between Eighth and Ninth aves.), NYC

Tickets: $45, $35 for HOLA members
(with promotion code "CZ35")

Go to Ticket Central or call (212) 279-4200 to buy tickets.
For information, click here.

About José Bayona and HOLA After The Curtain (HOLA Después Del Telón)

José Bayona is a bilingual multimedia journalist. Currently, he works as a Special Sections Editor for the New York Daily News. In the last couple of years, he has worked as writer for the New York Daily News, NY1 News and NY1 Noticias and the AARP online publication, as well as social media content manager for The Humpty Dumpty Institute in Manhattan and podcast producer and translator for CUNY's Communications Department. He has also taught workshops on Social Media and SEO for Spanish-speaking journalists at various media conferences in New York.

He holds a Master's degree from the CUNY Graduate School of Journalism in the Urban Reporting concentration and the Interactive and Multimedia track, and is a cum laude graduate of the CUNY Baccalureate Program for Unique and interdisciplinary Studies/Baruch College in Journalism and Political Science.

Born in Colombia, and a Venezuelan and U.S. citizen, he also has more than fifteen years of experience in film and theater in Venezuela and the U.S. A few titles under his belt as a producer are Bus Stop and The Bugchaser. He has worked in the production of feature films such as Violeta of a Thousand Colors and Sicario. In theater, he has directed 90 Miles of Separation for the Manhattan Producers Club and produced Requiem for a Life for Lincoln Center. He holds a Film Production Certificate from New York University. For more information, click here.

He will serve as moderator of the HOLA After The Curtain (HOLA Después Del Telón) event on Wednesday, June 6, 2012 in conjunction with the Atlantic Theater production of Fernanda Coppel's play Chimichangas and Zoloft. The HOLA After the Curtain event consists of a performance and a post-performance discussion with the company of the production. For more information, click here.

A Disappointing Television Season for the Latino Community

Check out this article by Janet Murguía, President of the National Council of La Raza (NCLR), where she talks about how recent program cancellations will affect the Latino community and the general community at large, by clicking here.

In Hollywood, Latino Stereotypes Are All Too Real

Eva Longoria and "Desperate Housewives" creator Marc Cherry agreed to co-produce a television series with Latinas in the lead roles for ABC. The name of the show-- "Devious Maids."

It was based on the popular Mexican telenovela "The Disorderly Maids of the Neighborhood."


Amid criticism, ABC decided not to pick up the series.

Check out this article by Rubén Navarrete, where he proposes another television series with Latina leads (including Supreme Court Associate Justice Sonia Sotomayor, pictured above), by clicking here.

HOLA Member Bochinche

Bochinche refers to "gossip." In this sense, we use it to mention HOLA members or Friends of HOLA who are getting acting and performance gigs. The names of HOLA members and Friends of HOLA are listed in boldface.

The Fantastic Experimental Latino Theater (FELT) is presenting The Golden Cacao Bean. Adapted from a play by Manuel Martín, Jr., this production is conceived and directed by Gloria Zelaya, with musical direction by Anna Bartos, music by William Sakas, choreography by Patricio Kuhn, production design by Héctor Marín Arias and stage management by Basil Rojas. The production will star Cristián Acosta, Sophia Dijan, Stephanie Garay, Kuhn, Patrick Michael Valley, Melanie Walter and Mónica Walter and have a June run at Teatro SEA, located in the Clemente Soto Vélez Cultural and Educational Center (home to HOLA) in Manhattan's Loísaida neighborhood. Valley, shown at left, received his role through an HOLA referral. For more information, click here. To buy tickets, click here.

Bridge Playhouse, in association with Suzanne Tremblay and the Gershwin Hotel, will be presenting the New York premiere of Muerte súbita. The Sabina Berman play will be directed by Daniel Jáquez and star Alfredo Huereca, Ana Grosse and Rodrigo Cuevas. The lighting and sound designer is Alfonso Rey, with costume design by Jorge Castilla, scenic and props design by Susan Zeeman Rogers and fight direction by David Anzuelo. The production will have a June run at the Gershwin Hotel in the Rose Hill district of Manhattan. For more information, click here. To buy tickets, click here.

Sarah Nina Hayon will be seen in the world premiere of Anton Dudley's play The Empty Ocean. Directed by Stephen Brackett, the production is presented by the Harold Clurman Laboratory Theater Company (HCLAB) and will have a June run at the Stella Adler Studio in Manhattan's Flatiron District. For more information, click here.

Abraham Makany can be seen acting in the upcoming film Abella. Directed by Pepper Negrón, the film is produced by Negrón and Corina Katt Ayala and also stars Joaquín Maceo Rosa and Jolene Márquez.

The East Harlem International Film Festival (EHIFF) is presenting its second edition this June. Among the films selected are Journey to Homeland (directed by Manuella Senatore and starring Ydaiber Orozco, Ron Sarcos and Teresa Yenque), Changing Diego (directed by Abraham Aponte and starring Edison Carrera, Gloria Zelaya, María Teresa Silva, Yanelba Ferreira, Vanessa Benítez, Ura Yoana Sánchez) and Rosa and the Executioner of the Fiend (directed by Iván Acosta and starring Graciela Lecube, Rubén Rabasa, Susan Rybin, Gabriel Gorcés and Ileana Canal). The screenings will be held at the Poets Den Theater in Manhattan's El Barrio neighborhood. For more information on the festival, click here.

The film Elliot Loves (helmed by G. Terracino) continues to do well at film festivals around the world. It is currently scheduled to screen as part of the Director's Showcase at the Kansas City Gay and Lesbian Film Festival (KCGLFF) in June. The film, produced by Terracino and Elizabeth Gardner and co-produced by Juan Cáceres, stars Robin De Jesús, Elaine Del Valle, Alfredo Narciso, George Ruiz, Dalia Davi, Monte Bezell and Fabio Costaprado in the cast. For more information on the KCGLFF, click here.

If you are an HOLA member or a Friend of HOLA and want to submit a bochinche item, send us an e-mail. If you are not an HOLA member, why not join? If you are not a Friend of HOLA, why not become one?

HOLA Member Bochinche

Bochinche refers to "gossip." In this sense, we use it to mention HOLA members or Friends of HOLA who are getting acting and performance gigs. The names of HOLA members and Friends of HOLA are in boldface.

Teresa Yenque, shown at left, was highlighted in the Se Fija! online magazine. To read the article (in which HOLA also receives a mention), click here.

Gabriel Sloyer will be performing the lead role in the production of Silent Song. The Julián Pimiento play is part of Working Theater's series entitled Stories from the 99 Percent. Directed by Tamila Woodard, the production will premiere in June at the Dorothy Strelsin Theater in the Abingdon Theater complex located  in the theater district of midtown Manhattan. For more information, click here. To buy tickets, click here.

Teatro LATEA is presenting three shows by talented Latino artists in June as part of LGBTQ Pride Month. They are Lailah Lancing's self-penned solo show WhaHaHappenWuz.... (directed by Basil Rojas), Jeannie Sol and Mónica Monroe's cabaret show, and José Roldán, Jr.'s self-penned solo show Father Forgive Me For I Have Sinned (directed by Dante Albertie). The shows will take place at Teatro LATEA's namesake theater in the Clemente Soto Vélez Cultural and Educational Center (home to HOLA). For more information, click here.

Ismael Cruz Córdova is performing with his comedy troupe Political Subversities (directed by Andrew Neisler) at Ars Nova (in the Columbus Circle area of Manhattan) on June 1, 2012. For more information, click here or here.

Carlos Lobo is appearing in the Dieter Woll play Cold Colts and Hot Hearts (Kalte Colts und heiße Herzen). Directed by Gerburg Jahnke, it was produced by Ebertbad for a June run in the Schmidt Theatre in Hamburg, Germany. For more information, click here (note that the website is in German). In addition, he will act in Never Gone, a film with noted German actor Oliver Krietsch-Matzura (directed by Christoph Assauer) and in the television series "Time of the Heroes (ARD).

Caridad De La Luz (also known by her nom de poésie et de musique La Bruja) performed in the La Mezclatina production of Bx-Rated. A collaborative, multidisciplinary work, the show explored issues of first- and second-generation Latina identity in the tightrope between urban life and ancestry. The show took place in late May at the LaGuardia Performing Arts Center in the Long Island City neighborhood of Queens. For more information, click here.

Omar Pérez and Johary Ramos are appearing in El apagón. Based on the José Luis González short story "The Night We Became People Again," the Pregones Theater production is directed by Jorge B. Merced (with musical direction by Desmar Guevara) and was presented in May at the Taller Puertorriqueño in North Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

If you are an HOLA member or a Friend of HOLA and want to submit a bochinche item, send us an e-mail. If you are not an HOLA member, why not join? If you are not a Friend of HOLA, why not become one?

HOLA presents HOLA After The Curtain: CHIMICHANGAS AND ZOLOFT

Hispanic Organization of Latin Actors (HOLA) presents

HOLA After The Curtain
HOLA Después Del Telón

a post-performance discussion with the company of
the Atlantic Theater production of

CHIMICHANGAS AND ZOLOFT

with Teddy Cáñez, Zabryna Guevara, Alfredo Narciso,
Xochitl Romero and Carmen Zilles

Moderated by José Bayona

After the disappointment of her 40th birthday, Sonia leaves her family and goes on a prescription Zoloft and greasy chimichangas binge. Meanwhile, her daughter Jackie and best friend Penelope team up to get Sonia back home. Their fathers continue their ongoing infatuation with each other as the girls struggle to keep the families intact. This irreverent story examines happiness and sexuality through the eyes of brazen teenagers.

Immediately following the performance on
Wednesday, June 6, 2012 at 7:30pm

Atlantic Theater Stage 2
330 West 16th Street
(between Eighth and Ninth aves.), NYC

Tickets: $45, $35 for HOLA members
(with promotion code "CZ35")

Go to Ticket Central or call (212) 279-4200 to buy tickets.
For information, click here.

HOLA Member Bochinche

Bochinche refers to "gossip." In this sense, we use it to mention HOLA members or Friends of HOLA who are getting acting and performance gigs. The names of HOLA members and Friends of HOLA are in boldface.

Marco Antonio Rodríguez's award-winning play La luz de un cigarrillo returns to New York in not just one, but in two productions. The first production will take place in September at Lehman Stages in the Bedford Park area of the Bronx. The production, which won five HOLA Awards, is also directed by Rodríguez, shown at left, will also feature the original cast, comprising all HOLA members: Susanna Guzmán, Ismael Cruz Córdova, Arisleyda Lombert and Teresa Yenque. For more information, click here. The second production will happen elsewhere in NYC in the fourth quarter of 2012.

The film Elliot Loves (helmed by G. Terracino) continues to do well at film festivals around the world. After winning the Audience Award-Best Feature Film at the Miami Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, it is scheduled to screen at the Frameline San Francisco International Gay and Lesbian Festival in June. [BREAKING NEWS: TLA Releasing has acquired worldwide rights to the film. The film, produced by Terracino and Elizabeth Gardner and co-produced by Juan Cáceres, stars Robin De Jesús, Elaine Del Valle, Alfredo Narciso, George Ruiz and Fabio Costaprado in the cast. For more information, check out the article in Variety by clicking here.]

The film Changing Diego is an official selection of The Art of Brooklyn Film Festival, to be held in August at the St. Francis College Theater in the Brooklyn Heights section of [natch] Brooklyn. The film was directed by Abraham Aponte, directed by Will Fonseca, and stars Anthony Cruz, Yomaris Maldonado, Fonseca, Michael Díaz, Edison Carrera, Gloria Zelaya, María Teresa Silva, Yanelba Ferreira, Glenys Javier, Vanessa Benítez, Ura Yoana Sánchez, Lorena Jorge, Jenn Pinto. For more information, click here.
Jesus E. Martínez booked two voiceovers (English/Spanish) for Verizon.

The Herbert H. Lehman College/City University of New York is presenting The Unknown. The play, a collaborative effort written by its cast and its director, stars Víctor Cruz, Jorge Álvarez, Rob Torres, Glenys Javier, Jason Torres, Melody Rose Vendrell and others. The production is directed by Enlightment [sic] and will be presented in the Lehman Studio Theater in the Bedford Park area of the Bronx. For more information, click here.


Gustavo Pace will be presenting his self-penned solo show Naked Brazilian. Directed by Lou Liberatore, the show will be in June as part of the Planet Connections Theater Festival at 45 Bleecker Theater in Manhattan's NoHo neighborhood. For more information, click here.

IShowNYC Productions is presenting Mujeres de par en par. Written by Indira Páez and directed by Alfonso Rey, the show will have a May and June run in the Teatro-Bar Times Square at the Roy Arias Stuidios and Theaters in the theater district of midtown Manhattan. The production stars Beatriz Castillo, Mariana Buoninconti, Malena Ramírez, Miriam Pinedo, Mafer Rodríguez and Rey.

If you are an HOLA member or a Friend of HOLA and want to submit a bochinche item, send us an e-mail. If you are not an HOLA member, why not join? If you are not a Friend of HOLA, why not become one?

HOLA Member Bochinche

Bochinche refers to "gossip." In this sense, we use it to mention HOLA members or Friends of HOLA who are getting acting and performance gigs. The names of HOLA members and Friends of HOLA are in boldface.

Elaine Del Valle, shown at left with Mario Bósquez, co-hosted the 2012 Cielo Latino/Latino Commission on AIDS gala on Friday, May 18, 2012 at Cipriani Wall Street in Manhattan's Financial District. For more information on the organization, click here.

Fernando Gamarra will be playing the Duke of Austria in the American Theatre of Actors (ATA) production of William Shakespeare's play King John. Directed by James Jennings, the play will take place in May and June at the ATA's namesake space in the Columbus Circle area of Manhattan.

Antonio Miniño will be acting in The Empress of Sex. Written by Duncan Pflaster and directed by Glory Kadigan, the production will be part of the 2012 Planet Connections Festival at 45 Bleecker Theater located in Manhattan's NoHo neighborhood and partially benefit Planned Parenthood of NYC. For more information, click here.

Eugenio María de Hostos Community College/City University of New York is presenting A Tribute to the Life and Times and Work of Piri Thomas. The tribute to the Puerto Rican-Cuban writer-performer will feature artists including Modesto Lacén, Miriam Colon-Valle, Amiri Baraka, Sandra María Esteves and Tato Laviera. The event will take place at the Hostos Center for the Arts & Culture in the Mott Haven section of the South Bronx. For more information, click here.

Débora Balardini and her new theater company, Group.BR (NYC's first Brazilian theater company), will be presenting their debut production: A Serpente (The Serpent) by Nelson Rodrigues (in honor of the centennial of the late playwright's birth). The show will take place in July at Teatro LATEA, located in the Clemente Soto Vélez Cultural and Educational Center (home to HOLA) in Manhattan's Loísaida neighborhood and star Mônica Steuer, Andressa Furlessi, Thiago Félix, Modesto Lacén and Balardini. The show will be directed by Balardini and presented in Portuguese with English supertitles. For more information, click here.

Susana Pérez booked a Spanish voiceover for Benchmark Education Audiobooks. In addition, she just became a member of the New York Women in Film and Television.

If you are an HOLA member or a Friend of HOLA and want to submit a bochinche item, send us an e-mail. If you are not an HOLA member, why not join? If you are not a Friend of HOLA, why not become one?

Minority Birth Rate: Racial and Ethnic Minorities Surpass Whites In U.S. Births For First Time, Census Reports

Check out this article by Hope Yen in The Huffington Post on how for the first time in U.S. history, racial and ethnic minorities are making up more than half the children born in the nation by clicking here.

HOLA Member Bochinche

Bochinche refers to "gossip." In this sense, we use it to mention HOLA members or Friends of HOLA who are getting acting and performance gigs. The names of HOLA members and Friends of HOLA are in boldface.

Mateo Gómez, shown at left, booked a role in the world premiere production of Party People. Written by Universes (Steven Sapp, Mildred Ruiz-Sapp and William "Ninja" Ruiz), it was developed and directed by Liesl Tommy and commissioned by the Oregon Shakespeare Festival (based in Ashland, Oregon, U.S.A.), where it will have a July through November run at the OSF's New Theater. For more information, click here or here. In addition, he will play a role in the William Shakespeare play As You Like It (directed by Jessica Thebus), which will run at the OSF's Elizabethan Stage/Allen Pavilion from June through October. For more information, click here. He booked this show through an HOLA referral.

 

 










 


Mario Golden and Andreas Robertz are directing The 2012 Playwrights Unit Festival of Readings and the In Sight Series 18 of the Puerto Rican Traveling Theatre. The evening will take place on May 22, 2012 at the PRTT's eponymous theater located in the theater district of midtown Manhattan and will feature work by Selina Hernández, Patricia Martínez, Carlos Mendoza, Cindy Sanábria, Fayma Stewart, María Teresa Silva, Michelle Torres, Caridad Del Valle, Judith Vega and Griselle Vera. The company includes actors Mahammatt Baba, Elle de Amor, Ángel Dillemuth, Inma Heredia, Joseph Menchaca and Éric-Dominique Pérez. For more information, click here. [Actors Baba, Menchaca, Dillemuth and Pérez, shown above, clockwise from top left, booked the roles after the directors saw their headshots in the HOLA online directory of talent and asked them to audition.]

Raquel Almazán is booking work as both a writer and a performer. Her play, The Hopefulness, or La Esperanza, is getting a workshop presentation by the Rising Circle Theater Collective/PlayRISE. Directed By Elise Hernández and featuring the talents of Jenniffer Díaz and Anna Lamadrid, the workshop will be done in June at the Theater Row Studio Theater in the theater district of midtown Manhattan. For more information, click here. In addition, she will present her self-penned solo show Porning The Planet: The De-Sensitiz Nation of a Generation [sic]. Directed by legendary performance artist Penny Arcade, the show will take place at Dixon Place in June at Dixon Place, located in Manhattan's Loísaida neighborhood. For more information, click here. For more information about her as a performer and writer, click here.

Raoul Daniel Luna's self-penned solo show, My Last, Best Spouse, was selected as an official selection of Dixon Place's HOT! Festival in July.

Elaine Del Valle will be doing her self-penned solo show, Brownsville Bred, directed by Pamela Moller Kareman, at two schools in the near future. For more information on where she is performing, click here (now viewable on iPhones and iPads).

Héctor Luis Rivera booked a role in the Dominican Republic television series "Mortales" (Telemicro).

If you are an HOLA member or a Friend of HOLA and want to submit a bochinche item, send us an e-mail. If you are not an HOLA member, why not join? If you are not a Friend of HOLA, why not become one?

HOLA Member Bochinche

Bochinche refers to "gossip." In this sense, we use it to mention HOLA members or Friends of HOLA who are getting acting and performance gigs. The names of HOLA members and Friends of HOLA are in boldface.

Laura Riveros, shown at left, booked a role in the workshop presentation of Occupy: The Musical (the product of a collaboration from members of the Primary Stages Einhorn School of Performing Arts) after reading about the casting notice in the HOLA e-mail announcements it sends to its members and self-submitting. The workshop of the musical (music by B.J. Gandalfo, Eric Grunin and Sean Harvilla; lyrics by David O. Dávila, Ed Levy, Robin Weiss and Leslie Wolfowitz; book by Nan Hoffman, Judith Leora, Levy and Rachael Migler) also features Ursula Anderman, Charles Barkdale, Sevan Green, Carly Menken, Nicholas Park, Walker Hare and Dávila in the cast and will be performed in May at ESPA @ Primary Stages Theater in the theater district in midtown Manhattan. For more information, click here.

Nanda Abella and Pietro González are in the cast of Bertolt Brecht's The Days of the Commune. The production, directed by Zoe Beloff, is being performed Saturdays and Sundays throughout the streets of New York City in solidarity with Occupy Wall Street. For more information, click here.

Suni Reyes performed in the show JewRican Cocktail. The show will take place on Tuesday, May 29, 2012 at The People's Improv Theater (The P.I.T.), located in the Rose Hill area of Manhattan. For more information, click here.

Brenda Hernández booked two radio voiceovers: one for Medicaid of Nebraska and one for US Bank (the latter will air on the entire West Coast of the U.S.).

Julián Juaquín will be acting in the play Life is Overrated. Written and directed by Rayka Kobiella, the show also stars Zoë Hutmacher, Miriam Ibrahim and Vanessa Fitzgerald and will be presented for a May and June run at Space on White in the Tribeca neighborhood of Manhattan. For more information or to get tickets, click here.

Jay Rodríguez booked a role in the film Under The Skin (directed by Arthur Shimunov and Eduardo Grispo).

If you are an HOLA member or a Friend of HOLA and want to submit a bochinche item, send us an e-mail. If you are not an HOLA member, why not join? If you are not a Friend of HOLA, why not become one?

HOLA Member Bochinche

Bochinche refers to "gossip." In this sense, we use it to mention HOLA members or Friends of HOLA who are getting acting and performance gigs. The names of HOLA members and Friends of HOLA are in boldface.

Sosa James, Jr., shown at left, e-mailed us to let us know that he booked an educational video through an HOLA referral.

Yanelba Ferreira and Rodney Roldán finished filming the music video to AJ Mercedes' new song, "Piénsalo Mejor" (directed by FlipTheScript). The video's release is forthcoming.

Ángel Pastrana is set to perform in the play Fakebook (written and directed by Richard Thomas Henle). The play, which also stars Rosanna Plasencia and Félix Hiciano will have a June run at the MRT, located in the theater district of midtown Manhattan. For more information, click here.

Me No Habla With Acento, the poetry anthology edited by Emanuel Xavier and published by Rebel Satori Press and El Museo Del Barrio was a 2012 International Latino Book Awards finalist in the category of Best Poetry Book-English. Caridad De La Luz (also known by her nom de poésie et musique La Bruja) and A.B. Lugo are among the contributors to the anthology.

Emanuel Xavier, Caridad De La Luz (also known by her nom de poésie et musique La Bruja), Rob Vassilarakis (also known by his nom de poésie Simply Rob), Nancy Mercado and María Rodríguez-Morales performed at SPEAK UP! Latinidades on May 19, 2012 at the El Teatro in El Museo Del Barrio, located in Manhattan's East Harlem neighborhood.

Teresa Yenque, shown at right, is slated to receive the Trailblazers Award at the 2012 Reel Rasquache Art and Film Festival, located in East Los Angeles, California, U.S.A. For more information, read an article about her (and where HOLA gets a special mention), by clicking here. Also honored at the festival (which is scheduled to take place May 18-20, 2012) will be Latino filmmaker Chris Weitz and artist Patricia Krebs. For more information about the festival, click here.

If you are an HOLA member or a Friend of HOLA and want to submit a bochinche item, send us an e-mail at holagram@hellohola.org. If you are not an HOLA member, why not join? If you are not a Friend of HOLA, why not become one?

Stars of Broadway's A Streetcar Named Desire Responds to Critics of Multicultural Revival

Shown above from left to right: Harris, Parker, Underwood and Rubin-Vega.

Blair Underwood and Nicole Ari Parker, who star opposite Wood Harris and Daphne Rubin-Vega in the Broadway revival of A Streetcar Named Desire, are speaking out against critics of the multiracial production that offers a fresh perspective on the historical context of Tennessee Williams' drama.

The play which opened to mixed reviews April 22, 2012 at the Broadhurst Theater under the direction of Emily Mann.

The revival is produced by Stephen C. Byrd and Alia M. Jones of Front Row Productions, who were also behind the Tony Award-winning all-African-American revival of Williams' Cat on a Hot Tin Roof on Broadway in 2008. That production later transferred to London, garnering the Olivier Award for Best Revival.

To find out more information, read the Adam Hetrick article in Playbill Online by clicking here.

THIS JUST IN: The production, which was originally supposed to end its limited run on July 22, 2012, has now extended its run to August 19, 2012 due to popular demand and sold-out houses. For more information, read the Adam Hetrick article in Playbill Online by clicking here.

For more information on the production, click here.

HOLA Member Bochinche

Bochinche refers to "gossip." In this sense, we use it to mention HOLA members or Friends of HOLA who are getting acting and performance gigs. The names of HOLA members and Friends of HOLA are in boldface.

Mahammatt Baba, Sara Contreras and Louis Vuolo will star in the Teatro LATEA production of Sunshine. Written by Lawrence Dukore and directed by Verónica Caicedo, the play will have a June run in LATEA's eponymous theater in the Clemente Soto Vélez Cultural and Educational Center (home to HOLA) in Manhattan's Loísaida neighborhood. [Baba, shown at left, found out about the audition after reading about it in HOLA's e-mail announcements that it sends to its members and self-submitting.]

Manny Alfaro booked a role in a Merck pharmaceutical industrial.

Pregones Theater is presenting Rasgos asiáticos (Asian Traces). Written by Virginia Grise and directed by Jorge B. Merced, the workshop production will  have a May and June run at Pregones' namesake theater in the Mott Haven section of the South Bronx and feature Teresa Yenque, Elise Hernández, Omar Pérez, Sol Crespo, Stella Elvira Franco and Anna Lamadrid in the cast. For more information, click here.

Gladys K. Nilsen booked a role in a recreation for a documentary called Brains on Trial. In addition, she booked a role in the feature film White Alligator (written by Viviana Leo and directed by Raquel Almazán).

Raquel Almazán, in addition to directing the feature film White Alligator (see above), will be the guest performer at The Kong Show, a variety show that happens seasonally from The Lionhearted Players at the Iguana VIP Lounge in the Hell's Kitchen section of Manhattan. For more information, click here.

If you are an HOLA member or a Friend of HOLA and want to submit a bochinche item, send us an e-mail at holagram@hellohola.org. If you are not an HOLA member, why not join? If you are not a Friend of HOLA, why not become one?

HOLA Member Bochinche

Bochinche refers to "gossip." In this sense, we use it to mention HOLA members or Friends of HOLA who are getting acting and performance gigs. The names of HOLA members and Friends of HOLA are in boldface.

Éric-Dominique Pérez and Robmariel Olea are the subjects of stories in the Escenario Neoyorquino (New York Stage) column written by Fernando Campos in this week's El Especial magazine-- the former for his recently bowed, self-penned solo show El Gringuito (directed by A.B. Lugo) at Teatro LATEA and the latter for her joining the cast of Repertorio Español's En el tiempo de las mariposas. Also on the same page is noted Peruvian author Mario Vargas Llosa. To read the respective articles (which are in Spanish), click on the photo at left.


Yanelba Ferreira can be seen this week (Wednesday night) in a co-starring role on "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (NBC), where she shares a scene with series regular Danny Pino. In addition, she booked a role on "Fatal Encounters" (Investigation Discovery).

Rodney Roldán will be seen next on the small screen opposite Mario Van Peebles and Carl Weathers in the television movie "American Warships" (SyFy). He will follow this up with a role in "FBI: Criminal Pursuit" (Investigation Discovery). In addition, he will tread the boards as one of the actors in the 9th annual Raymond J. Flores Short Play Series presented by Around The Block/Al Doblar La Esquina. The plays are written by Julius Landau, Terry McFadden, Matthew Sheridan and Allan Yashin, respectively, are directed by Susanne Traub, Camille Monte, Elise Marenson and Ginger Kipps, respectively, and will be presented on Saturday, June 2, 2012 at the New York Public Library Grand Central Branch, located in Manhattan's Murray Hill neighborhood. For more information, click here.

Lorraine Rodríguez was seen acting in two segments of the hidden camera, ethical dilemma series "What Would You Do?" for ABC News (hosted by John Quiñones). 

Ana María Estrada, shown at right, can be seen on the big screen opposite Eva Mendes in the feature film Girl in Progress (written by Hiram Martínez and directed by Patricia Riggen). The movie opened in theaters this past weekend worldwide. For more information, click here.

Christopher James López co-produced (along with Ángelo López [no relation] and Leo Kei Angelos) and starred in this teaser for the upcoming webseries "Auror's Tale."  The teaser, directed by Angelos, can be seen below.


If you are an HOLA member or a Friend of HOLA and want to submit a bochinche item, send us an e-mail at holagram@hellohola.org. If you are not an HOLA member, why not join? If you are not a Friend of HOLA, why not become one?

HOLA Member Bochinche

Bochinche refers to "gossip." In this sense, we use it to mention HOLA members or Friends of HOLA who are getting acting and performance gigs. The names of HOLA members and Friends of HOLA are in boldface.

Marisel Polanco, shown at left, e-mailed us to let us know that she booked an Olay advertorial (photoshoot and behind the scenes video) for Siempre Mujer magazine through an HOLA referral.


Gilbert Cruz will be appearing in Michael Bradford's play Olives and Blood. Directed by May Adrales, the show will have a June run at HERE Arts Center in Manhattan's SoHo neighborhood. For more information, click here. He will follow that up with a role in Mando Alvarado's A King of Infinite Space. Commissioned and produced by City Parks Foundation/SummerStage, the modern update of Shakespeare's Hamlet is directed by Jerry Ruiz and will take place on July 6, 2012 al fresco in St. Mary's Park in the Mott Haven area of the South Bronx. For more information, click here. Finally, he booked a print ad for a pharmaceutical company.

Ana María Estrada, shown at right, reports to us that she just finished filming a lead role (the controversial Sister Carmela Vásquez de Velasco) in the Cuban-Peruvian cinematic co-production Teresa, la novia del libertador (helmed by Rocío Llado). Also starring in the film is Luis Galli. The film is set to hit theaters in 2013. To read an article about the movie (in Spanish), click here.

Caridad De La Luz (also known by her nom de poésie et musique La Bruja), along with Lin-Manuel Miranda; Ángel R. Rodríguez, Sr.; Sandra María Esteves; Tato Laviera; Christopher "Chilo" Cajigas; Odilia Rivera Santos; Circa '95 (PattyDukes and RephStar); and DJ Logic will be performing with Grammy winners Arturo O'Farrill and the Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra and the fifth annual new music concert (Música Nueva 5: Big Band Poetry Jam and Beyond). The concerts are to take place on May 11 and 12, 2012 at the Peter Jay Sharp Theater at Symphony Space in Manhattan's Upper West Side. For more information, click here.

If you are an HOLA member or a Friend of HOLA and want to submit a bochinche item, send us an e-mail at holagram@hellohola.org. If you are not an HOLA member, why not join? If you are not a Friend of HOLA, why not become one?

ESosa wins Lucille Lortel Award

Mario Cantone hosted the 27th annual Lucille Lortel Awards on Sunday, May 6th, 2012. Sons of the Prophet, The Cherry Orchard, An Iliad and the musical Once were honored in production categories. The Off-Broadway awards were presented at the Skirball Center.

Representatives of the Off-Broadway League, Actors' Equity Association, Stage Directors & Choreographers Society, the Lucille Lortel Foundation, in addition to theatre journalists and academics and other Off-Broadway professionals, serve on the Lortel Voting Committee. The Lucille Lortel Awards ceremony is produced by special arrangement with the Lucille Lortel Foundation.

ESosa, pictured above, at right, won for his Outstanding Costume Design of By The Way, Meet Vera Stark (Second Stage Company). ESosa is also nominated for the Tony Award this year for his costume design of The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess.

For more information on the nominees and winners, click here.

ABC News, Univision Unveil English-Language News Network Joint Venture

 Disney's ABC News and Univision Communications' Univision News on Monday made official a long-expected agreement in principle to form a multiplatform news joint venture targeting Hispanic Americans with English-language news.

They said the deal would combine Univision's ability to reach U.S. Hispanics and "ABC’s global news leadership to serve over 50 million Hispanics, the youngest and fastest-growing demographic in the U.S."

The 24/7 venture will include America’s first English-language channel for English-dominant and bilingual Hispanics, as well as integrated digital and social platforms.

For more information, read Georg Szalai's report in The Hollywood Reporter by clicking here.

QEPD / RIP Rich Ramírez

Stand-up comedian, actor and former HOLA member Rich Ramírez has passed away.

He collapsed Wednesday night, hitting his head and causing a cerebral hemorrhage. He was rushed to Holy Name Hospital in Teaneck, New Jersey, U.S., where he suffered two strokes and comatose before expiring on Friday night.

From appearances in numerous television programs and films to starring roles in hot Latin musicals to performing his stand-up routine around the country, the "Funny Rican" from the Bronx known as Rich Ramirez was one of the hardest working comics in the business.

He had appeared on over twenty national and cable television comedy shows. Television credits include "Law and Order", "One Life to Live" and A&E's "American Humor: What's So Funny?" His film debut was in Punchline with multiple-Academy Award winners Tom Hanks and Sally Field. On the stage he co-hosted Latin Madness, the highly acclaimed Latin dance musical, for three years and also co-starred in the hit musical revue Latin Fever at the Tropicana Hotel in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

In terms of stand-up, he had performed at more than 175 colleges and opened for such recording artists as George Benson, Jon Secada, José Feliciano, and the Temptations and The Four Tops. Along with Chris Ryan and Herb Quiñones, he founded the SalSoul Comedy Troupe, which lasted twelve years. SalSoul allowed him to nurture his writing, producing and comedic acting skills.

He was diagnosed with colon cancer in 1995, which required the removal of 90% of his large intestine and a liver transplant. He then became an advocate for blood and organ donation. His ordeal became the basis of his self-penned solo show You Want A Piece of Me?, which he performed all over the country. To find out more about him, click here.

Rich Ramírez's charisma and his love of comedy helped him connect with any audience. He and his audience were able to share in a gift... the gift of laughter.

QEPD / RIP RICH RAMÍREZ