Artes de la Rosa Announces Cast of WELCOME TO ARROYO'S

Artes de la Rosa is proud to announce principle casting for the Artes de la Rosa Regional Premiere production of Welcome To Arroyo's by Pulitzer Prize Nominee Kristoffer Diaz. In it, two DJ's emcee four lives looping together for an entertaining mix tape in this thinking man's romantic comedy that explores family identity through a hip hop kaleidoscope.

"Set in 2004, there is an elaborate theatricality to this youthful and energetic show," offers Artistic Director Adam Adolfo. "I'm so excited to be bringing this play to the Rose Marine Theater as a Regional Premiere. Kristoffer Diaz's show is a cross-generational, multicultural romantic comedy that is party hip hop mystery, slick and cool, but unafraid to be goofy! With humor and heart, this first play by Diaz shows how 7 years later he would be a contender for the Pulitzer Prize."

Leading the cast is Kyle R. Trentham as Alejandro Arryo. Kyle , an actor, producer, and founder of QLive! has been seen in Artes de la Rosa's productions of The Fifth Sun and Romeo & Juliet. Joining Mr. Trentham are Artes de la Rosa Louis Zapata Resident Acting Company Members Elizabeth Thresher as nerdy Hip Hop historian Lelly Santiago, Emma Leigh Montes as Amalia Arroyo, Alejandro's artist sister, and Matthew Perry Smith as Officer Derek. DJ Rapper's Trip Goldstein and Nelson Cardel are played by Jordan Justice and Magdiel Carmon, both making their Artes de la Rosa debut. A crew of Hip Hop Dancers round out the cast with Nathan Scott, Samantha Cobb, Loagan Vince Hudson, Mindamora Rocha, Alexander Sauceda, Celeste Spangler, and Fidencio Vasquez.

The production is directed by Artes de la Rosa Artistic Director Adam Adolfo who is also serving as Costume Designer. Serving as Associate Director and Choreographer is Austin Ray Beck whose work was last seen at the Rose Marine Theatre, in Big Fish. Frequent collaborator Bradley Gray who designed Artes de la Rosa's Twelfth Night and Man of La Mancha serves as Scenic Designer and Technical Director. Lighting Design is by Kyle Harris with Sound Design by Mark Howard. Production begins May 20 at the Rose Marine Theater in Fort Worth for a strictly limited 3 week engagement.

ABOUT WELCOME TO ARROYO'S

"A sweet, loose-limbed shout out to Manhattan's Lower East Side...With a Greek chorus of DJs who 'mix' the play right in front of us, WELCOME shows that hip-hop can still goose mainstream theater instead of merely filling the diversity slot...The show's exuberant vibe becomes so infectious, it's easy to forget this is a story about two siblings recovering from the recent death of their only parent...In WELCOME TO ARROYO'S the playwright creates a space for all audiences, young or old, of any color, to kick back and play." -LA Times. "Sometimes you can believe the hype...the play blends streetwise exuberance with deep melancholy undercurrents." -Time Out NY. "A personal, charming, clever play with a hip-hop bent...this work demonstrates a genuinely honest voice, an energetic, playful theatricality...solid storytelling rooted in character. [Diaz is] an extremely welcome voice in American theater." -Variety. "A geeky brilliance and an unexpected wave of rousing feminism lives at the heart of WELCOME TO ARROYO'S...an urban comedy that dares to place women at the birth of modern-day hip-hop." -NewcityStage.com.

Alejandro Arroyo owns the newest (and cleanest) lounge in New York City's Lower East Side. His sister, Molly, has a nasty habit of writing graffiti on the back wall of the local police precinct. Officer Derek is a recent NYC transplant with something to prove. Lelly Santiago is a socially awkward college student who may have discovered that the Arroyo siblings' late mother was one of the founders of hip-hop music. Two DJs and a crew of hip hop dancers serve as Greek chorus spin the story in this hip-hop theater coming-of-age story.

WELCOME TO ARRYO'S begins performances Friday May 20 with official opening night Saturday May 21st. Performances are Thursdays 7:30 pm, Fridays & Saturdays at 8:00 pm. There will be a single Sunday Matinee on June 20 at 3:00 pm. General Admission tickets are $16 for adults and $12 for students, teachers, & seniors. Opening Night Tickets are $20 and include a party with the cast and crew following the performances. Tickets will go on sale on Wednesday April 20. For tickets or more information, call the Rose Marine Theater Box Office at (817) 624-8333. Special ticket prices are available for groups of 10 or more. Tickets can be purchased online at www.artesdelarosa.org.

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