Castillo Theatre Opens CARMEN'S PLACE, 4/26

What happens when the squares of Seville meet the streets of New York? Find out on April 26 when Carmen's Place (A Fantasy) opens at the Castillo Theatre on 42nd Street, running until June 16. Featuring some of opera's best-loved music as well as six original musical numbers, Carmen's Place (A Fantasy) is helmed by the 2012 AUDELCO Award winner for directing, Gabrielle L. Kurlander, whose production of Sally and Tom (The American Way) was a popular and critical success at Castillo last season.

With a book by FrEd Newman and music by Newman, Annie Roboff and including excerpts of Georges Bizet's Carmen, Carmen's Place (A Fantasy) is a sweet New York tale of high culture and young love. In the play, we are introduced to three novice opera singers in rehearsal for a professional production of Carmen. They meet a local coffee shop waitress whose name (coincidentally) is Carmen. Through the friendships that form, Carmen teaches them how to love in ways that differ dramatically from the possessive, violent, fate-driven love of the opera.

In addition to beloved songs from Bizet's classic opera, Carmen's Place (A Fantasy) features original pop and R&B tunes that give simple expression to the love of people who are learning to grow together.

The Castillo Theatre (Dan Friedman, artistic director; Diane Stiles, Vice President/Theatre) is located at 543 West 42nd Street, between 10th and 11th Avenues. Performances are selected Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2:00 p.m. April 26 through June 16. Tickets are $35 for adults, $10 for students and seniors. Group rates are available. Tickets can be purchased through the Castillo Box Office at 212-941-1234 or at www.castillo.org.