Photo Flash: Miracle Theatre Group Opens RAIZ – A Celebration of the Day of the Dead, 10/19

Miracle Theatre Group's world premiere of Raíz, a bilingual celebration of Día de los muertos (Day of the Dead), plays onstage tonight, Oct. 19-Nov. 11, 2012 at Milagro Theatre (525 SE Stark St., Portland). Get a first look at the production below!

Every year, the dead have been commemorated in Portland's longest-running Día de los muertos celebration. This season, a cabal of Aztec gods, having fallen out of favor in the modern world, seek to revive their relevance by reuniting a young clown with his departed partner, Augustina. Time turns backward as we unearth the interwoven roots of pre-Hispanic customs and traditions found at the juncture of life and death. Are we but dreaming and awake only when we die? Through music, dance and legend, we explore that thin veil that separates our world from the realm of our indigenous ancestors.

ENSEMBLE (in alphabetical order): Enrique E. Andrade, Sara Fay Goldman, Nurys Herrera, Ed Lyons, Juan Antonio Martinez, Alberto Romero, Zoe Rudman and Maria Sanchez.

PRODUCTION TEAM: Arturo Martinini … Director; Mark Haack … Scenic Designer; Katelan Braymer … Lighting Designer; Carolyn Baker … Costume Designer; Gerardo Calderón … Composer; Kelly Carlos … Choreographer; Nicki D'Amico … Prop Master; Adrienne Shelnutt … Assistant Director/Stage Manager; Collin Lawson … Master Carpenter; Julie Rosequist … Sound Board Operator; Estela Robinson … Production Manager; Jesus Kobe … Artcard Artist
Russell J. Young … Photographer; Olga Sanchez … Artistic Director, Miracle MainStage; José E. González … Executive Director.

Arturo Martinini (director) began his career at a very young age as actor, director and filmmaker. He has directed and toured with several theatre companies (performing works from Lorca, Pasolini, Shakespeare and Barry), and has worked as an independent filmmaker for notable organizations in Europe. Most recently he acted in Romeo Castellucci's latest work, Attore, il tuo nome non è esatto. The writings of Antonin Artaud are lately his strongest influence regarding the relationship between the public and the reality of the play. This is Arturo's first production with Miracle Theatre Group, and his U.S. debut.

For more than 28 years, the Miracle Theatre Group has been dedicated to bringing the vibrancy of Latino theatre to the Northwest community. In addition to its national tours, Miracle provides a home for Spanish and Latin American arts and culture at El Centro Milagro, where it enriches the local community with a variety of community outreach projects and educational programs designed to share the diversity of Latino culture.

Admission is $15 - $30; discounts for students, seniors, groups of 15+ and advance purchases. Tickets can be purchased from www.milagro.org or by calling 503-236-7253.

Photo Credit: Russell J. Young

RAÃ?Z â€" A Celebration of the Day of the Dead

RAÃ?Z â€" A Celebration of the Day of the Dead

RAÃ?Z â€" A Celebration of the Day of the Dead