PRINZE, THE ONE-MAN SHOW Comes to Sheen Center

Legendary actor and comedian Freddie Prinze comes to life on stage when Frigid New York, in association with Prinze LLC., presents PRINZE: THE ONE-MAN SHOW. Playing a limited 22-performance engagement, PRINZE runs October 25 through November 18 at The Sheen Center for Thought & Culture in the Black Box Theater. Performances are Thursday to Saturday at 7:30PM, with matinees on Sundays at 3PM. Tickets are $35 and available online at SheenCenter.org, by phone at 212-925-2812, or in-person at The Sheen Center box office Mon. - Fri. Noon to 5PM and one hour before performances.

PRINZE is written and performed by Jose Sonera, an actor/writer who, like Prinze, grew up in New York City. Interlacing Prinze's iconic comedy sets of the 70's with gripping original monologues, Sonera offers a dynamically portrayal of Prinze - the half Hungarian, half Puerto Rican who starred on the groundbreaking television comedy "Chico and The Man" and paved the way for Latino entertainers. In PRINZE, Sonera takes us on an unforgettable journey that illuminates the life of the late comedian and boldly addresses the race, culture, and socio-political topics that are still at the forefront of today's social justice conversations.

"I discovered Freddie Prinze over 20 years ago when I was in high school and I've never let him go since," says Jose Sonera. "We share so much in common. We were both born and raised in New York by a loving Latin mama. We both went to the same high school. And we both found our escape in comedy. Freddie, overcoming racism and poverty, managed to make our story universally relatable by making audiences laugh. He achieved the American dream for all of us, yet left us tragically too soon. His story may be more relevant now than ever before. Freddie Prinze is my hero and I could not be more proud to share his story."

PRINZE was developed during a 2017 sold out engagement in New York City at The Kraine Theatre. Earlier this year, Jose Sonera and the PRINZE creative team were invited to participate in the L'Attitude Nahrep convention in San Diego alongside Robert Rodriguez, Zoe Saldana, Alex Rodriguez and Jennifer Lopez.

Frigid New York's continuing mission is to seek out new art, new artists, and new audiences. They do this by creating an accessible community of varied voices that value collaboration, resourcefulness, diversity, and innovation. They provide a home for independent theatre artists, nurture their development, and help to establish their career by promoting their work to local, national and international audiences.

The Sheen Center for Thought & Culture (www.sheencenter.org) is a New York City arts center located in NoHo that presents a vibrant mix of theater, film, music, art and talk events. A project of the Archdiocese of New York, The Sheen Center serves all New Yorkers by presenting performances and artists that reflect the true, the good, and the beautiful. Named for the late Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, best remembered as an inspirational author, radio host and two-time Emmy Award-winning television personality, The Sheen Center reflects his modern-day approach to contemporary topics. The Sheen Center is a state-of-the-art theater complex that includes the 270-seat off-Broadway Loreto Theater, equipped with five-camera high-definition TV and live-stream capability and a multi-track recording studio; the 80-seat off-off-Broadway Black Box Theater; four rehearsal studios; and an art gallery.

JOSE SONERA (Actor/Creator/Writer) was born and raised in the Hell's Kitchen neighborhood of NYC. He is a theatre alumni of LaGuardia High School, Lehman College (B.A.) and Brooklyn College (M.F.A). He has appeared on "Law & Order" (NBC), "Unacceptable Behavior" (SiTV's), and has toured with the National Theatre of Performing Arts in Don Quixote de la Mancha and Dandelion's Much Ado About Nothing. He is thrilled to finally be able to tell the story of this forgotten legend and comedy icon, Freddie Prinze.

MELISSA LINTON (Director/Producer) is a Pittsburgh native and AEA|SAG member who has performed with Off Broadway, regional, and touring companies in shows such as: Working, Jesus Christ Superstar, The Housedress, and Blue Black. She recently played Detective Ramirez opposite Keanu Reeves in the thriller Exposed (Lionsgate). Her love for directing began in college while pursuing a B.F.A at The Boston Conservatory. For the last several years, Melissa served as resident director for the BT Theatre Company and directed and produced over 40 theatrical and musical productions during her time.

Ashley Brown (Production Manager) is a dancer, choreographer and dance teacher at Brooklyn Prospect Charter School. She earned a BA in Child Development with a Technical Theatre Minor from Spelman College and an MFA in Dance Performance and Choreography from Florida State University. She is the resident choreographer for the BT Dance Company and has been for the last six years. Ashley worked alongside Melissa Linton and Jose Sonera on the touring production of No Excuses, which was written by Sonera and directed by Linton. She is excited to work alongside them both on this labor of love.

LISA MONTALVO (Costume Designer) is a Washington State native of Puerto Rican and Irish descent. She began designing clothes at a young age. Her passion for storytelling through costume design intensified in the Theater Department of Humboldt State University. After graduation she moved to NYC to pursue a career in costume design. She now costume coordinates and heads up wardrobe departments for the film and television industry. She is currently working on Investigation Discovery true crime documentary, "A Crime To Remember".

J. JARED JANIS (Wig Designer) Broadway Designs include: Bandstand, Indecent, Sunset Boulevard, The Visit, The Real Thing, Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill, Motown, The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess, All About Me and Next to Normal. Recent Off-Broadway designs include: Pacific Overtures, Bella, Venus, Yours Unfaithfully (Drama Desk Nom.), Dead Poets Society and The Liar. Films include: Angelica and The Night Before. TV includes: "Madame Secretary," "Six by Sondheim," "Scream Queens," "Gotham,", "Mozart in the Jungle" and "Inside Amy Schumer."

Christopher Ketner (General Manager) Tony-nominated producer for the Broadway musical Natasha Pierre and The Great Comet of 1812. 2017 marked his West End producing debut with the play Heisenberg, directed by two -time Tony Award winner Marianne Elliott. Ketner is also co-producing the West End revival of Stephen Sondheim's Company, starring Patti LuPone. Ketner is a graduate of New York University.

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