Anyone who survived the deadly HIV plague time of the ’80s, when the best and brightest of the arts community was virtually wiped out by the disease, can’t help but be moved by the pathos of playwright Evelina Fernández’s AIDS melodrama. And while the urgency of the play might have diminished somewhat in the intervening years of antiretroviral successes, director José Luis Valenzuela’s re-staging of the Latino Theater Company’s acclaimed, 2002 production has lost none of its rousing panache or theatrical luster. Sal López reprises his tour de force performance as Moises, a flamboyant theater director drifting in and out of consciousness on his deathbed in 1995. He spends his lucid moments planning his final exit scene in a party to be attended by his close associates, which include his lifelong friend, the gay hairdresser, Martin (the excellent Danny de la Paz), and best straight friend/writing partner, Eddie (Geoffrey Rivas), and Eddie’s wife, Alice (Lucy Rodriguez). Moises’ less coherent spells are spent in phantasmagoric dialogues with his conscience and drag-queen alter ego, Lupe (Ralph Cole, Jr. in a show-stopping performance), who belts out disco dance hits in between haranguing Moises about coming clean with his ex-wife, Raquel (Fernández), on the circumstances surrounding their 15-year-old break-up. A first-rate production design, including François-Pierre Couture’s evocative lights, Nikki Delhomme’s Mackie-inspired gowns and Christopher Ash’s expressionist-surrealist set, underscores Fernández’s Eros-trumps-conventional-morality theme with elegance and eloquence. Los Angeles Theatre Center, 514 S. Spring St., downtown; Thurs.-Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat. 3 & 8 p.m.; Sun., 3 p.m.; thru May 30. (213) 489-0994 ext. #107 or http://www.thelatc.org A Latino Theater Company Production (Bill Raden)

via LA Weekly

LATC Theatre 4
General Admission: $30
Students: $20

Freed’s latest endeavor is “The Einstein Plan,” an interactive experience in which the audience is invited to participate in creating their political future. With the show slated to premiere soon at Los Angeles Theatre Center, I interrogated the perpetrator.

Jordan Young: I understand you were on Nixon’s enemies list?

Donald Freed: There were any number of dirty tricks going on, income tax audits and so forth. In the 1930s, Hoover built an FBI dossier on every major writer… it was a paranoid world. Today theatre is so frail, dependent on season ticket holders—we’ve never recovered from the ‘50s. Theatres most noted for their political audacity were afraid of “The Einstein Plan.”

JY: What’s the significance of the title?

DF: Albert Einstein suggested that if 2% of the population refused to pay their taxes to support the war… it would render the bureaucratic system impotent. It forces it to the media, the airwaves, certainly the Internet today; it starts a creative agenda.

JY: I take it “The Einstein Plan” is a call to action? You’re telling us to wake up and take our heads out of the sand?

DF: It’s to appeal to those already historically and politically aware of a given culture. It’s a hope against hope of… a hero coming along to satisfy the pressing needs of the hour, whether it be health care, climate change…

JY: Basically, you’re advocating non-violent civil disobedience?

DF: That is right. This is adapted for the American scene of today—there are no heroes, no Gandhis, no Berrigans. This slow-moving civil disobedience doesn’t take the place of people marching against the war. But with the Internet as a kind of spine… civil disobedience is now possible. That’s the wager of the play.

JY: People may debate whether it’s actually a play.

DF: You’re right. It’s an event, with people being called up on stage to play theatrical games. But it’s not meant to be a simulation. People will have to exchange addresses at the end… the next stage will be how many show up…

JY: To take action?

DF: Only a few people need take the arrest. I will take one of the arrests. The media will be involved… there will be no surprises. Eventually what you want is a real town hall meeting.

JY: Are you afraid of damaging your career?

DF: Euripides was driven out of Athens and killed. “King Lear” was only performed once in Shakespeare’s lifetime. So there’s a long history…

“The Einstein Plan,” starring James Cromwell and Debra De Liso, performs March 27 & March 28 at LATC. Call (213) 489-0994 ext. 107.

[via Examiner, Bitter Lemons]

© Graphic Image: robbieconal.com

A NEW STATE OF
ART, MUSIC, PERFORMANCE, DEBAUCHERY
AT THE DOWNTOWN L.A. ART WALK
THURSDAY, MARCH 11 // 6:30PM TO 10:30PM

+ Art
Projections by Christopher Ash and Francois-Pierre Couture
Art work by GRONK

+ Musical Performances
All musical performances are located at the outdoor stage. Limited seating is first come, first served and the rest, standing room only.
6:30PM // Semyon Kobialka
8:30PM // Ash Riser

+ The Vault (Time TBA)
An original weekly cabaret featuring Los Angeles based writers, actors, directors, musicians, comedians, and dancers.

+ Beer and Wine Bar benefiting The LATC

This event is free and open to the public & all ages. Donations are welcome in any amount and will help to continue this and any other programs at the Los Angeles Theatre Center. To donate, please visit the Info Table located in the patio.

If you’re an artist or musician interested in performing at ESTADO, please e-mail an EPK to Charm Narong at charm@thelatc.org.

March 4

A multi-disciplinary ensemble creating an original weekly cabaret! This 8-week theatrical workshop under the auspices of The LATC aims to write and produce weekly variety shows (30-45 mins) that will be open to the public every Thursday night at 10pm.

+ Beer & Wine at the LATC Bar
+ Pay what you can donation!  No one will be turned away for lack of funds!

March 27 + 28
The Einstein Plan

A new play by Donald Freed
A performance, A teach-in, A town hall meeting
Fun, Provocative, Different every time
Come Join the Revolution!

Starring James Cromwell, Debra De Liso and YOU, the audience.

Saturday, March 27th at 8:00 pm
Sunday, March 28th at 3:00 pm

Regular Priced Tickets: $30.00
Students, Seniors Unemployed: $15.00
Tickets are available for purchase ONLINE or by calling 213-489-0994 ext. 107.

August 2 – 28
The LATC 2010 Youth Summer Conservatory
August 2-28, 2010
Monday – Friday: 10am – 3pm

Scholarships Avaialable!

The LATC Youth Summer Conservatory has been developed under the leadership of Latino Theater Company Artistic Director and UCLA professor, Jose Luis Valenzuela, to create an opportunity for high school students from under-served communities interested in careers in the arts, to experience and train in a conservatory setting, Now in its third year, the program integrates acting classes with rigorous physical training, voice and speech, movement, writing and improvisation. The Conservatory will culminate in a final performance conceived, written and performed by the students on stage at the LATC on Saturday, August 28th.

For Applications/Questions contact:
Chantal Rodriquez, Educational Program Coordinator
chantal@thelatc.org or 213.489.0994 Ext. 108

“We talk to the founder of the acclaimed Latino Theater Company about the details of the organization, their upcoming season (and beyond), and their new L.A. Art Walk events.”

via LX.TV