VALOR, AGRAVIO Y MUJER Launches Repertorio Espanol's 50th Anniversary Season Tonight

Repertorio Español -- one of Off-Broadway's longest-running, continuous theaters, and the only company that presents Spanish-language/English-translated plays in NYC -- will kick off its 50th season with the U.S. premiere of a 375-old-play by the 17th-century Spanish playwright Ana Caro, VALOR, AGRAVIO Y MUJER (Courage, Betrayal, and a Woman Scorned).

Preview performances began October 27 and will celebrate its press opening tonight, November 1, then will join the company's rotating repertory until May 10. Repertorio Español is located at 138 East 27th Street, and tickets are $30 and can be purchased by visiting repertorio.nyc or by calling 212-225-9999.

Throughout the month of November, Repertorio Espanol will present a series of readings of five plays written by women in 17th-century Spain.

This extremely rare production of Ana Caro's play is remarkable for a number of reasons: Caro (1600-1652) was one of a surprising number of female playwrights during the Spanish Golden Age, at a time when women were forbidden to attend formal institutions of learning. After receiving a private education, she began writing poetry in 1628 and plays, only two of which are known today, including VALOR, AGRAVIO Y MUJER.

A comedy of honor, VALOR, AGRAVIO Y MUJER is a witty critique of the social customs of Caro's era, notably the position of women, in a parody of the erotic myth of Don Juan. The play is considered especially remarkable in its uncommon depiction of its heroine Leonor in a storyline whose happy ending finds a woman having solved her own misfortune without the help of a man.

VALOR, AGRAVIO Y MUJER is directed by Leyma López and designed by Leni Méndez. Cuban born, Ms. López has directed Repertorio's El Loco Per Fuerza, Aire Frío and Hierba Mala Nunca Muere. Cast will be led by Zulema Clares (Luz Roja (Tres veces dos), Nights in Constantinople) and Luis Carlos de La Lombana (Film: Seve the Film, The Red Knot). Repertorio's Aunt Julia and the Writer - ATI Award).

REPERTORIO ESPAÑOL presents 15 different plays, musicals and dance concert in repertory each year, totaling 300 performances annually, to more than 40,000 patrons and 16,000 students each season - the company's 50th anniversary season is announced by Robert Federico, Executive Producer. All dramatic performances at REPERTORIO ESPAÑOL are translated into English as individual simultext (at the patron's seat).

Founded in 1968 by stage director René Buch and the late producer Gilberto Zaldívar, and joined by Robert Weber Federico in 1971, who now serves as Executive Producer, REPERTORIO has presented an unparalleled body of theater that promotes and divulges the rich heritage of Hispanic theater. Spanish masters like Calderón, Lope De Vega and García Lorca, renowned playwrights from Latin America and the growing body of American writers who capture the Latino experience in the U.S.-from Portland, LA, NYC, Washington DC, Texas, Washington Heights, Denver and Chicago-- are all at home in REPERTORIO's programming. As well, the company has presented acclaimed translations of plays by Edward Albee, Shakespeare, Tennessee Williams, Gioncarlo Menotti and Noel Coward.

Mr. Federico notes that many of the company's most popular plays have been written by women: Gloria González (CAFÉ CON LECHE), Dolores Prida's BOTÁNICA, Carmen Rivera's LA GRINGA (now in repertory for 22 years), along with plays by Caridad Svich, He also notes that the first staged reading of Lin-Manuel Miranda's first Tony-winning musical IN THE HEIGHTS was held at REPERTORIO ESPAÑOL.

With more than 250 original productions since the company's inception 50 years ago (averaging 5 new shows per season), the company has toured extensively in the U.S. and overseas, earning a host of awards including the Obie, Drama Desk, ACE, HOLA and ENCORE Awards.

Education is instrumental in REPERTORIO's mission, embodied in its education arm, ¡DIGNIDAD! (dignity and self-esteem) that presents 100 school day performances each year, along with in-school residencies, family workshops and teacher training. Dedicated to the next generation of Latino artists, the company's annual MetLife Nuestras Voces National Playwriting Competition has helped generate new Latino theater since 2000.

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