New York’s award-winning Latino theater company for young audiences, Teatro SEA, is proud to announce the opening of its new home, a 110-seat theater at the Clemente Soto Vélez Cultural and Educational Center in Lower Manhattan.
Teatro SEA, now celebrating its 25th Anniversary, officially opens its brand new facility on May 5th, 2011, Cinco de Mayo, with some of its most beloved productions: Viva Pinocho! A Mexican Pinnochio! (May 5-28), Martina, The Little Roach (May 16-19), The Dropouts (May 23-27), and The Toothache of King Farfán (June 1-3). All shows are bilingual (in English and Spanish simultaneously), suitable for all audiences. Productions will play in repertory, with weekday and weekend performances.
“We are thrilled to celebrate SEA’s 25 years of empowering and educating young audiences, by inaugurating our dream-theater and bringing back those shows that have won everyone’s heart”, said Dr. Manuel A. Morán, the company’s Founder and Artistic Director. “I invite all audiences to join us for this exciting fiesta!”.
Opening Ceremony for the New Latino Children’s Theatre will take place on Thursday, May 5th at 6:30pm (Puppet Red Carpet), 7:00pm (Reception), 8:00 pm (Viva Pinocho! A Mexican Pinocchio! performance). The inauguration marks completion of Phase One in the development of the venue.
“Phase Two will consist of further developing the space into one of the most modern performance venues in Lower Manhattan”, Dr. Morán explained. Scheduled for 2013, Phase Two includes upgrading the facility with the most state-of-the-art sound and light equipment, among other projects.
Press tours of the new theater, videos, photos, and interviews with Dr. Manuel A. Morán are available upon request.
Established in 1985, SEA (Society for the Educational Arts, Inc.), is the premiere Bilingual Arts-in-Education Organization and Latino Children’s Theatre in the United States. It’s internationally celebrated programs include school, outdoor, community and Mainstage performances, workshops, and residencies, among others, reaching over 75,000 children and young adults every year.
The organization first established by Dr. Morán in Puerto Rico, launched operations in New York in 1993. It currently has offices in San Juan, New York, and Florida. Since 1999 the company’s Mainstage has been the 50-seat Los Kabayitos Puppet Theater on the second floor of the Clemente Soto Vélez Cultural and Educational Center.
“Our years at Los Kabayitos have been instrumental”, Dr. Morán added. “But as SEA continues to grow, we needed a new home that could accommodate our increasing audience, and could also provide the size and technical resources for ground-breaking, large-scale productions. The new custom-made theater will allow us to continue and further expand SEA’s work for generations to come”.
The new Teatro SEA is a 2,800 square foot, 110-seat facility on the Center’s first floor. It has direct-street access, Off-Broadway stage-size dimensions, and two large ensemble dressing rooms. Phase One was completed through grants from the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation (LMDC), the City Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA), the New York City Council, and Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, among other funders.
LISTINGS INFORMATION:
WHAT: New York’s Latino Children’s Theater, Teatro SEA, celebrates its 25th Anniversary and opens a brand-new theater with a return engagement of some of its most acclaimed family shows: Viva Pinocho! A Mexican Pinnochio!; Martina, The Little Roach; The Dropouts; and The Toothache of King Farfán.
WHEN: May 5th – June 3rd, 2011
WHERE: New Teatro SEA
Clemente Soto Vélez Cultural and Educational Center
107 Suffolk Street, between Rivington and Delancey
First Floor, New York, NY 10002
DIRECTIONS: F train to Delancey, J, M or Z to Essex Street
TICKETS: $15 Children / $18 Adults (Groups and school rates Avail.)
BOX OFFICE AND INFORMATION: 212-529-1545 / www.teatrosea.org
LANGUAGE: Bilingual (In English and Spanish simultaneously)
DETAILED SHOW AND PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE:
Viva Pinocho! A Mexican Pinnochio! – The heart-warming re-telling of the classic folktale of Pinocchio as lived by a young Mexican immigrant (Pinocchio) on his journey to understanding his sense of self, his heritage, and embracing a new land (the United States). Innovative styles of puppetry that will delight young audiences 8-99 years old.
Weekdays: May 5-6, 10-13 @ 10:30AM
Weekends: May 7-8, 14, 21, 28 @ 3:00PM
Martina, The Little Roach – A bilingual Latin Rock’n Roll Musical based on the Cuban and Puerto Rican children’s classic tale about a little roach (Martina) on her quest to find true love. Recommended: Ages 4-10 years old.
Weekdays: May 16-19 @ 10:30 and 11:45AM
The Dropouts – The critically acclaimed bilingual musical play that portrays the reality of teenagers and their choice of staying in school or dropping out. Recommended: Ages 10-all adults.
Weekdays: May 23-28 @ 10:30 and 11:45AM
The Toothache of King Farfán – The celebrated Zarzuela (Spanish operetta) winner of 8 major awards, including the 2010 UNIMA-USA Citation for Excellence in Puppetry, featuring over 40 life-size puppets and a live orchestra. Don’t miss the delightful story of a stubborn King who when suffering a toothache, gave everyone around him a huge headache. Recommended: Ages 10-18.
Weekdays: June 1-3 @ 10:30 and 11:45AM
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