The Crying Woman/La Llorona to Premiere Off-Bway Feb. 1

Kathleen Anderson Culebro's cross-cultural drama The Crying Woman/La Llorona will have its world premiere at the Beckett Theatre (410 W 42nd St.) on Theatre Row.  Presented by Stageplays, The Crying Woman/La Llorona will begin previews begin February 1; opening night is February 4.  The limited engagement will continue through February 24, 2007. 

The play "is the story of an American executive assigned by his company to open an American fast food restaurant, for Mexican food, in Mexico City.  He and his pregnant wife, a college art professor, relocate to Mexico City and move into the home of a Mexican architect, forced to rent his family's centuries-old hacienda to make end's meet to support his own young family.  The hacienda is visited by La Llorona, a spirit, who sings her song of sadness in hopes of rescuing the two couples from danger," press notes state.

Produced and directed by Tom Ferriter, the cast is led by Broadway veterans Ioana Alfonso (Wicked) as 'Irma' and Natasha Tabandera (Mamma Mia!, Bombay Dreams) in the role of 'La Llorona,' with Julia Barnett (Modern Missionary, Scruples) as 'Liz,' Trevor Jones (Moonchildren, Cuckoo's Nest) as 'Jeffrey' and Mauricio Salgado (Domino, Dutchess of Malfi) as 'Carlos'; Germán Nande (Abington Theatre) is featured as 'Sergio'.  

Set design is by Zhanna Gurvich; costume design by Vasilia Zivanic; lighting design by Jeffrey Koger (Obie Award-Sustained Excellence), and sound design by Chris Rummel.  Ron De Jesus (Movin' Out) will provide choreography and Cindy O'Connor (Crash, Racing Stripes) will compose original music.

Culebro was born and raised in Mexico City.  Her plays include A Leopard Complains of Its Spots (Pantheon Theatre, Off Broadway), The Blank Page, Three Chairs, and Just Because You're Paranoid (Doesn't Mean They're Not Out to Get You).  At Texas Christian University, Kathleen teaches Stage Makeup and Screenwriting.

The performance schedule is Tuesday through Saturday evenings at 8PM, with Wednesday and Saturday matinees at 2PM.  Tickets for all performances are $50, with discounts available for senior citizens, students and groups.  For reservations, call Ticket Central at (212) 279-4200 or visit www.ticketcentral.com.  Visit www.stageplaystheatre.com for more information on Stageplays.