Astoria Performing Arts Center Premieres EVENSONG

Astoria Performing Arts Center (APAC) kicks off its 16th season with the world premiere of Evensong written by Christina Quintana and directed by David Mendizábal.

Evensong traces the story of Teofilo "Teo" Aguilar, a young Mexican-American gay man and member of New York City's working homeless population. A Texas transplant with big dreams, Teo works as a bank teller, goes on mediocre online dates, and searches for stability and human connection while navigating the tangled shelter system. Using structural elements of choral music and conventions of theatrical magic, Evensong is a tale of survival, growth, and faith in moments of loneliness and solitude. A shorter version of Evensong was featured in INTAR's American Nightcap Series in 2014. The full-length play was featured on HowlRound and the Latina/o Theatre Commons' Presente: A Roll Call of New Latina/o Plays last summer. The 90-minute production at Astoria Performing Arts Center marks the play's world premiere.

APAC Artistic Director Dev Bondarin states, "I am thrilled to begin the season with a play that sheds light on this important issue by taking us inside the mind of our central character as he discovers how to live as one of the 'invisible homeless.' By taking this emotional journey with Teo, Evensong has the potential to speak to anyone who has faced challenges in the face of change."

Evensong will feature: Chad Carstarphen* (IN THE HEIGHTS, 1st National Tour), Arlene Chico-Lugo* (MOURNING SUN, Theater 167), Marie Louise Guinier* (MOST DANGEROUS MAN IN AMERICA, Castillo Theater), Francis Mateo* (KING LEAR, Classical Theater of Harlem), Daniel Prado (THE PIRATE PRINCESS, American Repertory Theater), Doug Rossi (A BRANDY BEFORE DYING, FringeNYC), and Sai Somboon* (SLEEP NO MORE, Punchdrunk).

Evensong will feature set and props design by Christopher and Justin Swader (LUDO'S BROKEN BRIDE, NYMF; MACBETH, Classical Theater of Harlem ), costume design by Dina El-Aziz (WAYWARD, The Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute), and lighting design by Evan Roby (THE COTTAGE, APAC & Queens Theatre). Jacob Subotnick (SAFE, Theater at the 14th Street Y) is the Sound Designer, the production will feature original music by Julián Mesri (Artistic Director, Sans Commedia), and Caitie Miller is the production stage manager.

*Member of Actors' Equity Association. An Equity Approved Showcase.

Evensong Playwright and Director Biographies:

Christina Quintana is a NYC-based writer with Cuban roots whose plays have been produced in New Orleans, Atlanta, New York City, and beyond. Plays and musicals include: GUMBO (lyrics & book), with music by Brett Macias (Merry Go Round's The PiTCH, Finalist TRU New Musicals Series, Musical Theatre Factory); ENTER YOUR SLEEP (Elm Theatre New Orleans, FringeNYC); SCISSORING (Finalist 2016 Kitchen Dog New Works Festival, Finalist 2014 Kendeda National Graduate Playwriting Competition, 2014 Kilroys Honorable Mention); and BLANK CANVAS ("Best Short," Downtown Urban Theatre Festival).

David Mendizábal is a NYC-based director, designer, and one of the Producing Artistic Leaders of The Movement Theatre Company in Harlem. At The Movement, he conceived and directed LOOK UPON OUR LOWLINESS, by Harrison David Rivers. He also directed the North American premiere of BINTOU, by Koffi Kwahulé, translated by Chantal Bilodeau, and is currently developing AND SHE WOULD STAND LIKE THIS by Harrison David Rivers, with choreographer Kia LaBeija. David attended New York University's Tisch School of the Arts at Playwrights Horizons' Theater School and has worked with companies all over New York including but not limited to INTAR, LAByrinth Theater Company, The Public, The Drama League, Brooklyn Arts Exchange, Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute, and Rattlestick Playwrights Theater.

PRODUCTION

Evensong (90 minutes duration)

Written by Christina Quintana

Directed by David Mendizábal

Performance Dates: November 3 - 19, 2016. OPENING NIGHT: Saturday, November 5 at 8 p.m. PRESS PREVIEWS: Thursday, November 3 at 8 p.m., Friday, November 4 at 8 p.m., or Saturday, November 5 at 2 p.m. Performance Schedule: Thursdays and Fridays at 8 p.m. | Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Performances will be presented at the Good Shepherd United Methodist Church, 30-44 Crescent St (at 30th Road), Astoria, NY 11102.

Tickets are $18 for adults ($12 for students and senior citizens) and are now available online at www.apacny.org. Tickets may also be purchased in person at the box office ½ hour prior to each performance.

About Astoria Performing Arts Center:

"Adventurous theater in Astoria," The New York Times says about the award-winning Astoria Performing Arts Center (APAC), a not-for-profit organization founded in 2001. APAC's mission is to bring high-quality theater to Astoria, Queens, and to support local youth and senior citizens through community programs at schools, senior centers and our performance venue.

The critically-acclaimed organization provides quality mainstage musicals and plays to the diverse Western Queens community. To date, APAC has received 41 New York Innovative Theatre Award nominations and six wins (including three for Outstanding Musical Production for Merrily We Roll Along, Allegro, and Children of Eden), as well as an Off-Off Broadway Theatre Review Award for Outstanding Production of a Musical (Is There Life After High School?). APAC was also the recipient of the 2012 Caffe Cino Fellowship Award. www.apacny.org/