Casa 0101 Theater Presents World Premiere of Josefina Lopez's HUNGRY WOMAN, Now thru 6/30

Casa 0101 Theater will present a new World Premiere play written by Josefina López (of Silver Lake) entitled "Hungry Woman," based on an abridged adaptation of López's novel, "Hungry Woman in Paris," to be presented in a Limited Run for four weeks from tonight, June 7 - 30, 2013 on the Main Stage at Casa 0101 Theater; 2102 E. First Street (at St. Louis Street); Boyle Heights, CA.

Under the direction of Corky Dominguez (of Echo Park), actress Rachel González (of North Hollywood) leads a cast of 12 actors portraying 35 plus roles. González stars in the central role of Canela Guerrero, a Chicano journalist passionate about life and her causes, who breaks off her marriage engagement to use tickets intended for her honeymoon to go to Paris to find herself and meaning in life. Her family thinks she's a "loca" who needs medication, but she is just hungry for more. This play is intended for mature audiences; parental discretion is advised.

Other members of the ensemble cast include: Isaac Cruz (of Hollywood as Dick/Richard Reynolds, Arab-French Man, Marcher and Brother); Claudia Dúran (of Van Nuys as Canela's Older Sister Reina, Mariana and Asian Woman); Angel Fajardo (of Park LaBrea as Canela's Father, M.C. Mono/Mohammed and Radio Announcer); Maricela Guardado (of Rancho Cucamonga as Canela's Younger Sister Rosie, Margaret and Cooking Student); Linda López (of Glendale as Canela's Mother); Mary Mendoza (of Silver Lake as La Calaca Flacca, Cousin, Editor/Gina and Cooking Student #2); Cameron Moir (of Venice as Henry Miles, Psychiatrist and TV Announcer); Juan Parada (of Long Beach as Armando and Chef Renault Sauber); Anne Popolizio (of Larchmont as Marie Helen, Mrs. Bodé, Customer and Doctor); Amber Rivera (of Hollywood as Tía Lucia, Rosemary, Altair and Cooking Student) and Ronni Valentine (of Studio City as Tía Bonifacia, Luna/Ghost and Cooking Student #1).

Director Corky Dominguez said: "This exciting new work by playwright Josefina López will be presented in a stylized multidimensional production incorporating a playful music underscore as well as original music compositions, a fashion forward design concept in costumes, special visual effects with lighting and projected images and an adaptable universal set which will take theatergoers on a delectable journey as the story of the life of the central protagonist of Canela Guerrero unfolds."

Comments From The Playwright Josefina López:
Regarding the abridged adaptation of her novel, "Hungry Woman In Paris" which she has now written as the play, "Hungry Woman,"playwright and novelist, Josefina López has this to say: "It has been a challenge to write the play adaptation of 'Hungry Woman' because my novel 'Hungry Woman in Paris' is written in first person. The character of Canela Guerrero has so many painful and funny experiences as she journeys through her depression, in search for meaning to fulfill her physical and spiritual hunger. What to take and what to leave out was heart wrenching for me as a writer. For me, 'Hungry Woman in Paris' the novel is a seven course meal, while 'Hungry Woman' the play is a delicious appetizing meal with an extravagant desert."

López continues to explain that the inspiration for, and creation of the novel, "Hungry Woman in Paris," which the play "Hungry Woman"is based on, by saying: "Since I was a little girl I wanted to go live in Paris. I think every writer and artist has that fantasy. So when I met my husband, who is French-American, and he asked me if I'd ever consider living in France I told him 'Yeah!' So after 'W' got re-elected my husband and I decided that since we didn't agree with the war and we couldn't stand to see the injustice of 'W' getting re-elected we decided we were going to start a new life in France."

"I also went to Paris to take time off from my very unrewarding writing career in Hollywood and have my second baby. While I was living in Paris I was studying French and I read a very funny book called 'A Year in La Merde' ('A year in sh*t') which was a British journalist's observation about the Parisians and the French. I wanted to write about my observations too. After I had my second child I enrolled in cooking school at Le Cordon Bleu. I told myself I wanted to go through the experience of going to cooking school so I could write about it. I also wanted to write about my experience being an immigrant all over again in France. I wanted to compare life in the U.S. versus France. I also wanted to tell the traditional American in France story with a Latina as a protagonist to bring another perspective to this genre. I wanted to present a delicious female fantasy that would excite Latinas and create a forum for discussion about female sexuality."

This production is made possible in part thanks to the generous support of Casa 0101 sponsors, including The California Endowment, the Los Angeles County Arts Commission, The Herb Alpert Foundation, The Sheri and Les Biller Family Foundation, The Ralph M. Parsons Foundation, The California Foundation for Stronger Communities, The Community Redevelopment Agency/LA - A Designated Local Authority and Metro.

Concurrently with the run of the play there will be an art exhibition entitled, "La Gourmande" (Hungry Woman) which is curated by Margaret Garcia. The Opening Night for the art exhibit, "La Gourmande," which is open to the general public to attend, will be on Thursday, June 6, 2013 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. in The Jean Deleage Art Gallery at Casa 0101 Theater.

Regarding the art exhibit, "La Gourmande," Margaret Garcia said: "These works by women celebrate the appetite and lust for life inherent in their hunger for living." Artists whose works are included in the exhibit are: Margaret Garcia (of Boyle Heights), Bonnie Lambert (of Van Nuys), Pola López (of New Mexico), Susana Urquiza (of Altadena) and Grace Barraza-Vega (of Corpus Christi, Texas).

The play's Production Team includes: Josefina López (of Silver Lake), Artistic Director, Casa 0101 Theater, Playwright, Producer;Emmanuel Deleage (of Silver Lake), Producer, French Coach, Executive Director, Casa 0101 Theater; Kimiko Broder (of South Pasadena), Associate Producer; Corky Dominguez (of Echo Park), Director; Sohail e. Najafi (of Culver City), Lighting Designer, Technical Director; César A. Holguín (of Northridge), Set and Photo Images Designer; Anthony Villarreal (of Los Angeles), Costume Designer; Bill Reyes (of Irvine), Sound Designer; Sherrie Lofton (of Silver Lake), Production Stage Manager; Adriana I. Colon (of Los Angeles), Assistant Director, Estibaliz Giron (of Boyle Heights), Assistant Stage Manager; Matthew Sanchez (of Los Angeles), Props Master; Jorge Villanueva (of Boyle Heights), Light Board Operator; Edward Padilla (of Boyle Heights), Casting Director, President of the Board of Directors; Margaret Garcia (of Boyle Heights), Curator of the Art Exhibition, "La Gourmande;" Dr. Tiffany Ana López (of Riverside), Dramaturge; Mark Kraus (of Los Angeles), Webmaster; Gabriela López de Dennis, Soap Design Co. (of Los Angeles), Graphic Designer; Ed Krieger (of La Crescenta), Production Photographer and Steve Moyer Public Relations (of Los Angeles), Press Representative.

The play will be presented on Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. and Sundays at 5:00 p.m., June 7 - 30, 2013 on the Main Stage at Casa 0101 Theater, 2102 E. First Street (at St. Louis Street), Boyle Heights, CA 90033. Tickets are $20 per person for General Admission; $17 per person for Seniors; and $15 per person for Students/Boyle Heights residents. Discounts for Groups are also available. Advance reservations are highly recommended. Theatre patrons can get a $2 discount by presenting their Metro Bus Cards at the Box Office when buying tickets. Metro bus stations are located on First Street in Boyle Heights at both Soto Street, and at Boyle Street (Mariachi Plaza), within a short walking distance to the theatre. A Question and Answer Talk Back with playwright Josefina López will be held after the performances on Sunday, June 9th and 16th. For tickets, please call the Casa 0101 Theater Box Office at 323-263-7684, E-mail tickets@casa0101.org, or buy online at www.casa0101.org. Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/casa0101theater.

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