Working Theater to Present LA RUTA Off-Broadway, Beginning 4/10

LA RUTA - a new play by Ed Cardona Jr. commissioned by Working Theater in 2011 -- will debut in an Off-Broadway production by Working Theater with preview performances starting April 10th and an official press opening on April 18th. Tamilla Woodard, known for her innovative site-specific work (HOTEL PROJECT), will direct the production. It has been announced by Mark Plesent, Working Theater's Producing Artistic Director.

LA RUTA, an immersive theatrical experience, follows the journey of several undocumented immigrants as they cross the border into the U.S. to make a better life for themselves and their family. The play is staged inside the trailer and cab of an actual 48' truck with the audience experiencing the journey alongside the characters, surrounded by the harsh reality of their environment and the poignant narrative unfolding within.

The play will be performed in various communities throughout New York City in order to directly realize Working Theater's mission to bring theater to working people. Images from the renowned Magnum Photos archive will be used to illuminate the interior worlds of the characters during the performance as well as to create a post-show photographic installation that will center the play in the broader conversation about immigration reform.

"Through LA RUTA, we, at Working Theater, in partnership with Magnum Foundation, hope to raise awareness about the plight of undocumented immigrants," said Working Theater's Producing Artistic Director Mark Plesent. "Our goal is to challenge our diverse communities to consider the experience of this large, yet too often misrepresented immigrant constituency."

The cast includes Brian D. Coats (MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR, TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA, Public Theater), Zoë Sophia Garcia (THE ELABORATE ENTRANCE OF CHAD DEITY, Actors Theatre of Louisville), Annie Henk (THE PLAY ABOUT DAD, 59E59), Sheila Tapia (CQ/CX, Atlantic Theater Company), Bobby Plasencia (VESUVIUS, South Coast Repertory) and Luis Vega. The production team includes Raul Abrego (scenic design), Emily DeAngelis (costume design), Lucrecia Briceño (lighting design), Dave Tennent, IMA & Kate Freer, IMA (projection design), Sam Kusnetz (sound design), and Production Core (Production Supervision). The production stage manager is Michael AaRon Jones and the assistant stage manager is Sarah Levine.

Community partner venues include, the Bronx United Federation of Teachers (Bronx), St. John the Divine (Manhattan), International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (Queens) and the Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden (Staten Island).

The performance schedule is April 10th through May 12th, Wednesday through Saturday at 6:30 pm and 8:30 pm and Sunday at 3:00 pm and 5:00 pm with additional performances Tuesday, April 16 and Tuesday, April 23 at 6:30 pm and 8:30 pm.

Tickets are $25 (General Admission) and $23 (Students/Seniors/Union Members) and may be purchased in advance at www.brownpapertickets.com or by calling 800-838-3006. For group rates, contact info@theworkingtheater.org. Due to mature content, patrons under the age of 13 will not be admitted. Latecomers will not be admitted. The running time is 70 minutes without intermission.

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