The Castillo Theatre Hosts Two Plays About Ernesto 'Che' Guevara 5/7-6/6

The Castillo Theatre brings together two political playwrights, Mario Fratti and Fred Newman, in an evening of two one-acts, both on the subject of Ernesto "Che" Guevara. Opening is Friday, May 7 and runs through June 6 at the Castillo Theatre, 543 West 42nd Street (between 10th & 11th Avenue).

Che, by Mario Fratti, written in 1968, a year after Che's death, is a realist drama set during the final hours of Che's life. Held prisoner in a schoolhouse in Bolivia, he speaks with his guards and a young schoolteacher about the need for revolution as long as there is injustice in the world. In Fred Newman's historical fantasy Risky Revolutionary, Che is reunited with his beloved comrade, Fidel Castro, whom he convinces to create a second revolution in Cuba, bringing human, civil and gay rights to the Cuban people. Che, directed by Madelyn Chapman, will be performed by a young cast from Castillo's youth theatre program. Risky Revolutionary, directed by David Nackman, features actors Arturo Castro, Luca Rodrigues and Chris Triana.

Mario Fratti is a drama critic and an internationally acclaimed playwright. He has written 70 plays, which have received some 600 productions in two dozen countries and have been translated into many languages. Fratti is best known for the musical Nine, which won numerous awards including a Tony, Drama Desk, and an O'Neill Award.

Fred Newman is a playwright, theatre director and philosopher. He has written over 30 plays and musicals produced by the Castillo Theatre over the last 20 years and is Castillo's artistic director emeritus. A collection of his plays, Still on the Corner and other Postmodern Political Plays, was published in 1998. Newman traveled to Cuba in 1986.

The two one-act plays about Che run from May 7 through June 6, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2:00 p.m. (with one Thursday performance at 7:30 p.m. on May 20). The Castillo Theatre is located at 543 West 42nd Street (between 10th and 11th Avenues). Tickets are $30 for adults, $10 for students and seniors. Group rates are available. Tickets can be purchased through the Castillo box office at 212-941-1234 or at www.castillo.org

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