Tony Plana Stars in 'Havana Bourgeois' August 10

The Hayworth Theater will present Havana Bourgeois, starring Tony Plana ("Ugly Betty") opening August 10th, 2007.  The play was written by Carlos Lacamara and is directed by Jon Lawrence Rivera.

"1958, Havana. Luis Calvo Advertising Agency is a thriving business," state press notes.  "Alberto Valero, a young, talented commercial artist is on the verge of getting the life he always wanted – big promotion, nice house, beautiful wife.  As word of Castro's revolution spreads, Alberto believes in the promises of a better Cuba.  But as Fidel's vision crystallizes, his world begins to crumble, as the life he knew is destroyed along with any hope they might have had for the future.

"With clear-eyed objectivity about a subject that inspires strong passions, Havana Bourgeois explores the impact of Fidel Castro's Revolution on the middle class inhabitants of Havana, Cuba."  About his work, Lacamara says, "Rather than focusing on the machinations of political leaders, my play presents ordinary characters that people can identify with.  My wish is to draw American audiences into the world of the play and, ultimately, ask themselves the question, 'What would I do if this happened here?'"

The play will feature an all-Latino cast including Cuban film and television star Plana, currently on ABC's hit series "Ugly Betty."  Tony was also a regular on the Showtime series, "Resurrection Blvd."  His long list of credits includes "The Lost City," "Lone Star" and "Primal Fear," along with numerous television appearances.

Writer, Lacamara, has been a professional actor for over twenty years, appearing in over one hundred television shows.  He played the father on Nickelodeon's ground-breaking hit series, "The Brothers Garcia" and was a member of the cast of NBC's "Nurses."  In April of 2000, Carlos returned to Cuba for the first time since leaving with his parents at the age of two.

Director, Rivera is the founding artistic director of Playwright's Arena.  He is the recipient of two 2005 Ovation Award nominations for directing the musical Songs For A New World by Jason Robert Brown at Ventura's Rubicon Theatre and the Los Angeles premiere of Dogeaters at SIPA.  Among his numerous directing credits are Nick Salamone's Hillary Agonistes and Jean Colonomous' The Third From The Left (2006 Edinburgh Fringe), Steven Leigh Morris' Beachwood Drive (also at the Lublin Theatre in Poland) and Larry Fineberg's Failure of Nerve, starring Barbara Bain.

Havana Bourgeois opens on Friday, August 10, and plays Fridays and Saturdays at 8PM and Sundays at 7PM through September 16, 2007.  Tickets are $20.  The Hayworth Theatre is located at 2509 Wilshire Blvd. two blocks east of Rampart near downtown Los Angeles.  For reservations, go to www.thehayworth.com or call 800-838-3006.

Photo - Tony Plana.

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