For Immediate Release

Contact: Rose Guccione*, Salsation Theatre Company, NFP, “comedy with a Latin flavor”
Phone: 312.212.3482
Fax: 888.969.3482
Email: press@salsation.com
Web site: http://www.salsation.com

Salsation Theatre Company presents its first gay-themed production: IT TAKES A VILLAGE, PEOPLE!

It Takes a Village, People!

Chicago, IL – August 23, 2010 – It Takes a Village, People! is the first gay-themed production from Salsation Theatre Company, NFP, Chicago’s home for “comedy with a Latin flavor!” The show explores the intersection between love, family and the Latino experience in the village of gay life. A young man struggles to find love in a germ-filled world. Another finds the military-industrial complex an unlikely ally in his quest to come out to his parents. And speed dating speeds up as the search for love gets serious in this wig-filled sketch comedy revue!

When:

It Takes a Village, People!
Opens/Closes: Saturdays October 2nd thru November 6th, 2010

Saturday, October 2nd at 5:30 p.m.
Saturday, October 9th at 5:30 p.m.
Saturday, October 16th at 5:30 p.m.
Saturday, October 23rd at 5:30 p.m.
Saturday, October 30th at 5:30 p.m.
Saturday, November 6th at 5:30 p.m.

Where:

Gorilla Tango Theatre, 1919 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago

Tickets:

Price: $12.00
Reservations: (773) 598-4549 or http://www.gorillatango.com

Production:

Charles Hall (Director), Patrick Garone* (Co-Producer), Hugo Rosado* (Co-Producer)

Written and Performed by:

Patrick Garone*, Aaron Page, Gabe Pastrana, Hugo Rosado* and Michael Villarreal

Salsation Theatre Company, NFP, “comedy with a Latin flavor” was created in 1998 and became a non-for-profit theatre company in 2002. Its primary purposes are the presentation and creation of comedic and other theatrical works which consider the role of Latinos in American society and related topics; and to inspire and educate Latinos and non-Latinos in the use of theatrical and other performing arts as a medium for self-expression.

Cast Bios:

Patrick Garone*
Patrick is a writer, director, and actor and he has been working with Salsation since 2003. He directed the revues The Fanta Menace and The Devil Wears Chanklas. This show marks his first time going through the process as an actor and he is very excited and grateful for the opportunity. Patrick is also the author of the recently-released novel, City of the Gods: The Legend of Quetzalcoatl. Check out www.patrickgarone.com for more info.

Aaron Page
Aaron is happy to be back with Salsation for another show! He first appeared with Salsation in Salsa-Sketch 2009 and later in Control+Alt+Deport. Originally from Virginia, Aaron has been in Chicago for two years and enjoys honing his skills for all things comedic. His favorite things about Chicago include watching crazy people on the red line, being close to Oprah, and admiring the city’s fantastic architecture. Enjoy the show!

Gabe Pastrana
Gabriel is jubilant to be working on a gay sketch comedy show! Humor and gayness are key traits of his, so it was only a matter of time… He’s been seen on many stages around town, including Trap Door Theatre, Silent Theatre, the American Demigods and others, not to mention the hottest karaoke spots in the Chi. When not stressing about gay life, he’s usually stressing about life as a grad student. Til the day he finds that rich husband to take him traversing around the world…. Love the life you live! Theatre.

Hugo Rosado*
Hugo has been performing with Salsation for over seven years. He has appeared in the revues My Big Fat Quinceañera and The Devil Wears Chanklas to name a few. In addition to writing and performing, Hugo has directed several touring seasons with Salsation as well as a one-act play at Northeastern Illinois University where he graduated with a degree in Communication, Media and Theater. Hugo would like to thank Charles and this funny cast and community for adding fuel to the fire. I love you Bunny-face!

Michael Villarreal
Michael thanks God for blessing him with such wonderful family and friends who support his dreams and continue to influence his journey in life. Michael is currently a Student Services Manager and Program Coordinator for the Cicero-Berwyn Education Network at NEIU-CTC, sharing with teachers, students and parents his loves: theatre and writing. He is also a graduate of Northeastern Illinois University and has studied at The Second City, Victory Gardens, The Annoyance, and Piven Theatre Company. Michael is founder of Hot Mess Productions, a theatre group dedicated to community based productions. Recent writing and directing credits include: Sangre de Atole, A Blank Stare is Better Than an Empty Chair, Flight Change, and El Matador. Thank you to Charles, the cast of this show and Salsation for adding tracks to several of his wigs. Oh yeah, Michael is also in search of his favorite matted wig, it’s black and with a rat tail. Reward if found.

Production Staff Bios

Charles Hall, Director
Charles runs a flower shop by day and rehearses sketch comedy by night. Thanks to Salsation for all of the wonderful support, talent and energy that goes into each and every show! Much love to all, especially Hugo.

Patrick Garone*, Co-Producer
(See biography under Cast Bios)

Hugo Rosado*, Co-Producer
(See biography under Cast Bios)

Rose Guccione*, Public Relations
Rose is a professional opera singer (http://www.roseguccione.com) who is also passionate about comedy. At the Second City Training Center, Rose completed “Comedic Songwriting” with Mike Descoteaux, Improv Intensives with Bina Martin and Writing Intensives with Ed Ferrara. Rose is a graduate of Josephine Forsberg’s Players Workshop Original Improv Program and Acting Academy for Improvisors. As an ensemble member, Rose has composed music, written and performed sketch comedy, performed improv and directed with Salsation Theatre Company. As owner of OperaGram.com® (http://www.operagram.com), Rose was generously featured in the Chicago Tribune, and on NBC5 News Today and the John Landecker Show on WLS 890 AM.

Venue:

Gorilla Tango Theatre
Gorilla Tango Theatre is diversity. GTT is a live theatrical venue where audiences can consistently go each week to see a wide variety of performances by a diverse group of talented artists. GTT exists to provide artists and organizations of all sizes and genres the opportunity to produce their work in a professional environment. GTT offers beginning and continuing professional training for all skill levels.

*Denotes Salsation Ensemble Member
###

Salsation just began rehearsing its new studio show-our first ever gay-themed sketch comedy revue-and we need your help deciding on a title.  Please take a moment to look at the possibilities below and vote on your favorite – or write in your own clever title.  Some past examples of great Salsation show titles include:

Touched By An Anglo
Crouching Wetback, Hidden Migra
My Big Fat Quinceañera
The Pinata Strikes Back
The Fanta Menace
The Devil Wears Chanklas
Control+Alt+Deport

Remember, this new Salsation show should have a definite gay slant to the title.

Upcoming show dates: Saturdays @ 5:30PM, Oct 2nd through November 6th.

PLEASE NOTE: If you’d like to write in a title, please e-mail us at press@salsation.com. If your title is chosen, you will receive one complimentary entrance to the show.

Fresh from a seven week run at Gorilla Tango Theater and Second City’s Donny’s Skybox, Salsation is coming to a campus near you! Ctrl+Alt+DEPORT ponders  material through an unflinchingly Latino lens.   A guy is dumped by his girlfriend and he employs YouTube to win her back. Tune into a video podcast created by a group of ambitious high schoolers, complete with celebrity news live from the cafeteria. A symphony of ringtones underscores the shrinkage of our personal space.   And see what happens when alien technology is pitted against our love affair with personal electronic devices.  It’s a show you don’t want to miss!

Get ready to set those DVRs!  Members of the cast of Ctrl+Alt+Deport taped a segment of sketches from the show to be featured on ENE Chicago Rocks.  Shot at Chicago’s Cobra Lounge, you’ll get a sneak peek at the hilarity featured in the full length show running weekends from now until the end of May.  Tune in and catch it!

ENE Chicago Rocks
featuring the cast of “Ctrl+Alt+Deport”
Wednesday April 14th, 2010 @ 8 PM
Cable Channel 25
Visit http://www.enchufate.com for more information.

Prepare yourself for the full length sketch comedy revue “Ctrl+Alt+Deport”!

The cast from Salsation’s latest revue “Ctrl+Alt+Deport” will be on “The El Show” at iO (Improv Olympic) next week for an interview and to perform a couple of sketches from their show.

El Show with Alex Moffat is a web-based talk show highlighting the best the city has to offer! El Show will host local celebrities, comedians, bands, improv groups, chefs and so much more! With a combination of live, taped and improv bits, this ain’t your daddy’s El Show with Alex Moffat!

Cast of “Ctrl+Alt+Deport” on The El Show
Friday April 2nd, 2010 @ Midnight
iO Chicago
3541 N. Clark (Addison Stop on Red Line)
Chicago, IL
$5 (free for iO students)
Call the Box office at 773.880.0199 or Buy Tickets Online

What’s your history with Salsation?
I joined Salsation in 2005 roughly a year after I started training to be an actor.  I was walking around the Second City Training Center and saw a posting on a board by a Latino sketch comedy group.  Back then I had a lot more creative time on my hands so I was hungry to do everything comedy related.  So, I went out and auditioned cold reading sides with [Salsation co-founder] Ramon Charriez and [Salsation Ensemble Member] Patrick Garone in a room at a recording studio.  When I got there, I felt that Gawd reached out and told me I had this one in the bag because I was blessed to be in my home away from home – an audio recording studio!  Anyway, I got the gig and starred in “The Fanta Menace”.

I’ve been involved in Salsation ever since but mostly behind the scenes as a producer, PR manager, or ensemble member.  This show marks my return to the mainstage since “Fanta”.  I’ve done other shows in some capacity in the meantime but it’s nice to formally get back into the creative side of the group.  I’m ultra excited.

What got you started in comedy?
Well, the true love for it started back in the 2nd grade when I noticed this kid on the playground surrounded by a group of girls while he told knock-knock jokes.  I figured: ME + COMEDY = WOMEN.  So yeah, I got into it for the chicks (laughs).  The point I decided to get serious about it was after I went on a business trip back in 2004 to meet a group of my co-workers for the first time.  We all hit off pretty well and decided to meet up for dinner afterward.  There were probably 30 of us there and I felt pretty loosey-goosey from the Sprite I was drinking (I don’t drink alcohol – FUNNY!) and started riffing jokes on people at the table.  After about a half-hour, I realized I had everyone’s attention captured and effectively was doing stand-up comedy!  So, at that point, I realized I had the ability to do comedy formally.

When I got home, I figured I should probably get some training on “how to be funny” for standup.  So I typed, “Chicago comedy training” into Google and “Second City” came up.  I read that and thought, “Huh. Second City.  I’ve heard about them. SNL, right?” So, I clicked on the link and got to the Training Center site and saw “Improv” in the course descriptions thinking it was like “improv” from “The Improv” comedy clubs.  So, I signed up and showed up to my first day of class.  The instructor said, “We’re going to teach you guys how to become actors”.  I was like, “Uhm, no.  I’m here to be funny”.  Then she said, “Don’t worry, the funny will come.”  So, I stuck it out and many years later, here I am!  Yeah, it all started by accident (laughs).

What’s your favorite sketch in “Ctrl+Alt+Deport”?
Well, like everyone has said, there’s tons of great material in the show.  The show itself is well-balanced as far as who’s material made it in.  My favorite sketches include a scene exploring the double-standards we assert on people when they “experiment” in college, a sketch Jonathan & Horacio wrote about a boy and his toy, and a scene dealing with an “apocalyptic”  first date.

What does the future hold in store for you?
Well, at this point all I’m concerned with is finding more opportunities to allow my fragile ego to grow. (laughs) No, seriously, I’m going to be launching a few more opportunities for Salsation this year for touring and the fall curriculum.  I  have plans to expand my love of music improv and bringing that to the masses once again.  I also have the seeds of a one-man show I need to write and put up sometime late this year.  I’m also doing shows for my Courageous Rue and Static Republic projects while juggling forays into jazz.   Other than that, nothing.

If you could be meet any famous person, past or present, who would it be and why?
Here’s my list of people:

Your favorite “Comedy with a LATIN flavor” group is back with a brand new sketch comedy revue entitled “Ctrl+Alt+DEPORT”!    The show explores the way that technology is reshaping our daily routines and changing the way we relate to one another. Salsation ponders this material through an unflinchingly Latino lens.   A guy is dumped by his girlfriend and he employs YouTube to win her back. Tune into a video podcast created by a group of ambitious high schoolers, complete with celebrity news live from the cafeteria. A symphony of ringtones underscores the shrinkage of our personal space.   And see what happens when alien technology is pitted against our love affair with personal electronic devices.  It’s a show you don’t want to miss!

The show was written and will be performed by Frankie Benavidez, Jonathan Hicks, Gabriel Martinez, Maria Mendoza, Aaron Page,  Horacio Ramirez, Shantel Rodriguez, Nelson Velazquez, and Mary Zemaitis.  Contributing writers include Hugo Rosado and Patrick Garone. The show is directed by Charles Hall.  Stage management provided by Cassie Soliday.

Here are the details:

Ctrl+Alt+Deport

Saturdays: April 3rd – May 15th, 2010 at 7:30PM
(no show April 24th)
The Second City
Donny’s Skybox Theatre
1608 N. Wells Street, 4th Floor – Chicago
Tickets: $12.00 at (312) 337-3992 and https://chitickets.secondcity.com

Fridays:  April 23 – May 28, 2010 at 8:00PM
Gorilla Tango Theatre
1919 N. Milwaukee Avenue – Chicago
Tickets:  $12.00 at (773) 598-4549 and http://www.gorillatango.com

The Ninth Annual Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival – the largest comedy festival in the country – presents Salsation Theatre Company, NFP in The Brown Supremacy!

The Brown Supremacy is a hilarious look at Latino life in the age of Obama. From the joy of the nomination of the first Hispanic Supreme Court Justice, to the difficulties of life in an economic meltdown, from family life to immigration, Salsation Theatre Company’s new touring revue takes a comic look at today’s Latino experience.

The Brown Supremacy
Saturday, January 9, 2010 at 6:00PM

Theatre Building Chicago
1225 West Belmont (North Theater)
Chicago, IL 60657 (map)

Ticket Information: http://chicagosketchfest.net/tickets.shtml
and http://www.ticketmaster.com/Sketchfest-2010-Salsation-tickets/artist/1391077

Salsation Cast:
Ramon Charriez*
Rose Guccione*
Gabriel Martinez
Maria Mendoza
Horacio Ramirez
Shantel Rodriguez
Nelson Velazquez*

Directed by Patrick Garone*

*denotes ensemble member

We’ve got some of many pictures posted here!  Check out the wonderful cast of Salsa-Sketch in action.

THANK YOU to all who came out and supported this year’s Salsa-Sketch!  It was bigger and maybe even funnier than last year’s!  Thanks to all the cast, producers, and crew who made this happen.  Special thanks go to Gorilla Tango Theatre for their generosity in giving us their theatre for an entire day!  And extra special thanks to each of you who came out to see the show!

We’re gearing up to start finishing up our scenes for the night’s show! Check it out!

More pictures from the creative side of the groups we have lined up for tonight!

We’re already working on material for tonight’s show! Check out the first batches of pictures!

What happens when 30+ actors are locked into a theatre and are asked to write, rehearse, and perform original sketch comedy in just one day? You get Salsa-Sketch 2009!

Back for a second year, members spanning Salsation’s illustrious 11+ year career will be gathering to bring a series of all-original sketch shows highlighting the group’s brand of “comedy with a LATIN flavor”.

Here are the details:

Salsa-Sketch 2009
Sunday December 13th, 2009 @ 7 PM
1919 N. Milwaukee Ave
Chicago, IL
$12
Get tickets online or 773.598.4549

If you’d like a chance to be a part of this exciting performance and be considered for fture Saslation productions,  we’ll be holding open auditions!  We’re looking for actors of all styles and experience.  We welcome all ethnic types to audition.  You don’t have to be Latino to perform with us, but having a solid understanding of Latino culture is strongly preferred.  If you’re interested in auditioning, send an email to auditions@salsation.com to reserve your audition slot today!

Ramon Charriez and Nelson Velazquez representing Salsation at the BLACKS, LATINOS, & ASIAN VOICES IN IMPROV panel.

Salsation came out along with many other notable theatre company’s to share their unique history and experience in the improv/sketch community. The panel, entitled BLACKS, LATINOS, & ASIAN VOICES IN IMPROV, also featured current and former Second City Mainstage, e.t.c, Touring, and Outreach and Diversity actors. It was a very informative and collaborative discussion where groups shared their unique missions, visions, and voices in the world of theatre.

We’d like to thank Dionna Griffin-Irons, her staff, and the rest of the panel members for having us come out to speak.

Chase Community Giving is donating $5,000,000 to charities around the USA. Facebook users are voting for the recipients. Vote for Salsation today!

Salsation is honored to be on an exclusive panel discussing our voice in today’s improv world. Various topics will be discussed.  Read more below!  We hope to see you there.

Wednesday, November 18th 6:30PM -8:00PM – One Night Only!

Here’s a few questions that might stir your curiosity about why YOU should come to this one night only event:

Why did the Second City Detroit cast, write a scene about a white couple visiting a downtown Detroit  soul food restaurant to have a discussion about the n-word?

Why did the Chicago e.t.c. cast write a song about reparations due to black folks and make every white audience member give a dollar out of their pockets?

What jumpstarted Second City from looking seriously at what we were saying on stage and more importantly who was saying it? Meet and hear who was behind our mission.

Who are some of Chicago’s most diverse groups doing sketch comedy and what are they saying with the work?

We’ve got some answers, ideas,  and hunches for you on November 18th. Come hear why improvisers and comedians say what they say.

Join us at 6:30pm in the Second City e.t.c. theatre (1608 North Wells, 2nd FL. Pipers Alley)

Speak up, Laugh, and share your voice with us.  Build The Community.

RSVP at outreach@secondcity.com Free Event – Limited Seating..

Salsation Theatre Company, NFP will be holding  auditions for its upcoming one-day sketch comedy show. Auditions will be on:

Monday, November 30th 2009
Between 7PM and 10PM
Second City Training Center
1608 N. Wells Ave
(3rd Floor of Piper’s Alley, Room 303)

The audition will consist of improvising various scenes with multiple people.

If you are interested in securing an audition slot or have more questions about the process or Salsation, please email:  auditions@salsation.com.

If you know of anyone who might be interested in these auditions please share this post with them.  While we don’t require that our auditionees be Latino, a familiarity with Latino culture is preferred.  Improv experience/training is also a plus.

Salsation Theatre Company was founded in 1998 by students at Second City and Improv Olympic to provide a voice for Latino actors and improvisors to speak about their experiences.  We are Chicago’s first and foremost Latino sketch comedy and improv troupe and our mission is to showcase the Latino experience in a way that is fun and educational for all audiences and to reach out to our community and develop the next generation of performers.  Over the past decade we have produced such hit shows as Touched by an Anglo, My Big Fat Quinceanera, and The Devil Wears Chanklas.

Salsation TourCo @ Western illinois University

A couple of weeks ago Salsation visited Western Illinois University and Saint Xavier University, and performed their latest touring sketch show The Brown Supremacy.   Both shows went off splendidly with a short set of improvisation afterwards.  A short video was shot by the staff at WIU of the show featuring both cast and crew from Salsation.  Once available, we’ll have it right here to share with everone!

As we add the finishing touches to our new touring revue, The Brown Supremacy, we are packing our bags and getting ready to take it to a campus near you! Please visit our Touring section for more information on how to bring The Brown Supremacy to your campus or event, and for more information about Salsation!

Salsation Theatre Company, NFP will be holding its yearly auditions for its upcoming touring show. Auditions will be on:

Wednesday, June 10th, 2009
Between 5PM and 7PM
Second City Training Center
1608 N. Wells Ave
(4th Floor of Piper’s Alley, Room 403)

The audition will consist of improvisation and cold-reading from Salsation archival sketches.  The rehearsals will be weekly and will continue over the summer with potential performances starting in the late summer/fall timeframe.

If you are interested in securing an audition slot or have more questions about the process or Salsation, please email:  auditions@salsation.com.

If you know of anyone who might be interested in these auditions please share this post with them.  While we don’t require that our auditioners be Latino, a familiarity with Latino culture is preferred.  Improv experience/training is also a plus.

Salsation Theatre Company was founded in 1998 by students at Second City and Improv Olympic to provide a voice for Latino actors and improvisors to speak about their experiences.  We are Chicago’s first and foremost Latino sketch comedy and improv troupe and our mission is to showcase the Latino experience in a way that is fun and educational for all audiences and to reach out to our community and develop the next generation of performers.  Over the past decade we have produced such hit shows as Touched by an Anglo, My Big Fat Quinceanera, and The Devil Wears Chanklas.

Karaoke and Ticket Raffle 2NITE!

Salsation will be raffling off a couple of comps during Karaoke night at Spyners Pub, 4623 N. Western, Chicago TODAY starting at 9:30p.m.

Salsation Now on Twitter

Follow us on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/salsationco.

Bank of A-mattress-ca: GhettoDog Millionaire

P>Directed by Ed Garza, Bank of A-mattress-ca: GhettoDog Millionaire offers a comedic look into the everyday lives of people who delve into issues such as crime, sexuality, and the challenges found in the workplace while hoping to stay afloat in today’s economy. From BFFs who witness a crime yet offer little assistance to the police, to the lovelorn couple whose love life has plummeted with the economy, to the homage to Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men set in the world of corporate downsizing, Bank of A-matttess-ca: GhettoDog Millionaire takes a unique look at fiscal and emotional survival. Bank of A-matttess-ca: GhettoDog Millionaire is written and performed by Maritza Cabrera, Rainbow
Cooney, Gabe Martinez, Horacio Ramirez and Michael Villarreal. The show runs Saturdays, April 18th thru May 30th at 6PM at:
 

1919 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago

Tickets are $12 and may be purchased by calling 773.598.4549 or through the Gorilla Tango website by clicking one of the following links:

Saturday, May 9th at 6:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 16th at 6:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 23rd at 6:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 30th at 6:00 p.m.

SPECIAL THANKS to our sponsors:

• Chicago Latino Network – http://www.chicagolatinonetwork.com/
• A Moment in Balance Yoga – http://www.rvita.com/
• Playhouse Confidential – http://www.playhouseconfidential.com/
• Spyner’s Pub – http://www.spyners.com/
• Tea Essence – http://www.teaessence.biz/

Click Image to View.

Check it out!  Salsation Theatre Company is featured in the Chicago Sun-Times (see http://www.suntimes.com/entertainment/stage/1522550,SHO-Sunday-improv12.article) and Metromix (see “Comedy for a Cause” at http://chicago.metromix.com/theater/comedy_event/comedy-for-a-cause-river-west/1065755/content and “Bank of A-mattress-ca: Ghetto Dog Millionaire” at http://chicago.metromix.com/theater/comedy_event/bank-of-a-mattress-bucktown-wicker-park/1041201/content).

About Comedy for a Cause

Approximately 400,000 Americans have MS, and every week about 200 people are diagnosed.  MS is a debilitating and life-altering neurological disease that affects those diagnosed and the people who support them.  The Latino comedy community has banded together to raise funds to help in the fight of this disease.  Please join us on Friday, April 17, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. at the Chicago Center for the Performing Arts (777 N. Green – Chicago) as standup comedians Ricky Carmona and Elizardi Castro and sketch comedy groups the ESL Players and Salsation Theater Company, NFP showcase their talents to bring awareness to Multiple Sclerosis.  Tickets are $20 and all proceeds will go directly to MS patients.

Purchase your tickets in advanced by clicking this link: <a href=”http://theaterland.tix.com/Event.asp?Event=182430” target=”_blank”>http://theaterland.tix.com/Event.asp?Event=182430</a>
or <a href=”http://www.theaterland.com” target=”_blank”>http://www.theaterland.com</a>. We appreciate your support and please spread the word!

About Bank of A-Mattress-ca

The cast of Bank of A-Mattress-ca (OPENS APRIL 18TH!) is featured on Playhouse Confidential (http://www.playhouseconfidential.com/channels.php)! The feature is on Public Access the following dates and times:

04/07/2009 at 6:00 pm
04/11/2009 at 6:00 pm
04/18/2009 at 6:00 pm
04/25/2009 at 6:00 pm

Segment online at http://www.playhouseconfidential.com/guests.php.

SYNOPSIS: This sketch comedy revue offers a comedic look into the everyday lives of people who delve into issues such as crime, sexuality, and the challenges found in the workplace while hoping to stay afloat in today’s economy. From BFFs who witness a crime yet off little assistance to the police, to the lovelorn couple whose love life has plummeted with the economy, to the homage to Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men set in the world of corporate downsizing, Bank of A-matttess-ca: GhettoDog Millionaire takes a unique look at fiscal and emotional survival. Bank of A-matttess-ca: GhettoDog Millionaire is written and performed by Maritza Cabrera, Rainbow Cooney, Gabe Martinez, Horacio Ramirez and Michael Villarreal. The revue is directed by Ed Garza, founding member of GayCo and director of several revues for Salsation.

The cast of Bank of A-Mattress-ca (OPENS APRIL 18TH!) is featured on Playhouse Confidential (http://www.playhouseconfidential.com/channels.php)! The feature is on Public Access the following dates and times:

04/07/2009 at 6:00 pm
04/11/2009 at 6:00 pm
04/18/2009 at 6:00 pm
04/25/2009 at 6:00 pm

Watch the segment below:

Approximately 400,000 Americans have MS, and every week about 200 people are diagnosed.  MS is a debilitating and life-altering neurological disease that affects those diagnosed and the people who support them.  The Latino comedy community has banded together to raise funds to help in the fight of this disease.  Please join us on Friday, April 17, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. at the Chicago Center for the Performing Arts (777 N. Green – Chicago) as standup comedians Ricky Carmona and Elizardi Castro and sketch comedy groups the ESL Players and Salsation Theater Company, NFP showcase their talents to bring awareness to Multiple Sclerosis.  Tickets are $20 and all proceeds will go directly to MS patients.

Purchase your tickets in advanced by clicking this link: http://theaterland.tix.com/Event.asp?Event=182430
or http://www.theaterland.com. We appreciate your support and please spread the word!

Saludos!

Click Image to View.

We are writing to tell you about an all new sketch comedy revue by Chicago’s very own Latin-flavored comedy troupe – Salsation Theatre Company, NFP. We are the same company who presented The Devil Wears Chanklas and My Big Fat Quinceañera to sold-out houses. Salsation presents Bank of A-mattress-ca: GhettoDog Millionaire at Gorilla Tango Theatre opening April 18th.

Below is a press release and information regarding the particulars of our show and company. We would appreciate any assistance you can provide in helping us get the word out about our show.

Please feel free to contact us with any questions you may have.

Very Truly Yours,

Alonzo Alcaraz, Managing Director and Co-Public Relations
Rose Guccione, Co-Public Relations
Salsation Theatre Company, NFP
“comedy with a LATIN flavor”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FAQ

PORQUE/WHY

Salsation Theatre Company, NFP is a comedy ensemble founded by Latino actors in the Chicago Improv comedy community to bring you comedy with a Latin flavor. Salsation strives to educate people on Latino issues through laughter.

QUIEN/WHO

Salsation is the original Latino comedy ensemble performing Improv and sketch, founded in the Midwest, and the only Latino ensemble to work in the advanced “long-form” style of Improv.

Ensemble members have appeared on stage, in film, on television and in commercials. Alumni have performed with the Second City Touring Company and on the Tonight Show.

Most come from Chicago’s comedy community: The Second City, Improv Olympic, Players Workshop and the Annoyance Theater. Some have studied at Chicago’s top collegiate theater programs including Columbia College Chicago.

Their families hail from Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Italy, Mexico, Puerto Rico and Venezuela, but most grew up in Metropolitan Chicago.

QUE/WHAT

Salsation performs…

• Sketch Comedy-prepared original comedic scenes ranging from brief standup like pieces to extended theatrical comedy scenarios.
• Improvisational Comedy-spontaneous, unrehearsed comedy, off the cuff, from audience suggestions. They perform both Chicago-style “Long Form Improv” where a single word or phrase from the audience can generate 5 to 40 minutes of stories and scenes. Or the classic “Short Form Improv” games that have more audience involvement.
• Bi-lingual Comedy-English and/or Spanish. (Majority English)
• Customized Shows-Salsation performs adult, “all-ages”, and special event shows.

Production Staff Bios

Ed Garza, Director

Ed Garza is delighted to return to Salsation with this production of Bank of A-mattress-ca: GhettoDog Millionaire. His directing credits includes: DiJo Production’s premier, A Dozen Guns-n-Rosas; CheepBoos’ revue NonTextual Relations; Theatre Building Chicago’s concert reading of Dia de los Muertos; Relatively Functional and Bluetooth Decay for Midtown; Salsation’s (Chicago’s Sketch Comedy with a Latin Flavor) VeraCruz Cirque de Salsation, My Big Fat Quinceañera, Crouching Wetback, Hidden Migra, A Whole Lotta Shakira Goin’ On and Diane Herrera in The Job which premiered at New York’s Manhattan Theatre Resource. Ed wrote and performed in the original production of GayCo’s Whitney Houston, We Have A Problem!, as well as, Everyone’s Coming Out Rosie!” (both revues received the After Dark Award for Best Ensemble Performance), Don’t Ask, Don’t Teletubby The Miseducation of Dr. Laura, When Bush Comes to Shove, 99 Bottles of Queer on the Wall, and Cinco de GayCo performing throughout the U.S. and in Amsterdam. Last summer he recreated his original choreography for GayCo’s remount of Whitney Houston, We Have A Problem! at the Center on Halsted. He has been a faculty member of The Second City Training Center for fifteen years. Ed also teaches theatre at Francis W. Parker School.

Rasa Aliukonyte, Stage Manager

Rasa Aliukonyte is happy to be back in theater production work, both for immersing in various discussions and fun interactions. One day she will be sitting in Lithuania and remembering that not a single minute spent stage-managing, acting, or producing was wasted. Today is one of those days that will make it happen.

Nelson Velazquez*, Co-Producer

Nelson Velazquez is of Puerto Rican and Brazilian decent and grew up in San Antonio, Texas for most of his life. There he participated in many different high school and college music programs as well as serving in the Lonestar Drum and Bugle Corps, at the time Texas’ only competitive drum corps. After emigrating to Chicago in 1998, Nelson began an illustrious career fronting and supporting local Chicago bands. Shortly thereafter, Nelson opened Courageous Studios, an audio and electronic recording studio.

Creatively, Nelson is a by-product of the Second City where he trained heavily in both musical and theatrical improvisation. He’s performed in such shows as “Brazilian Wax Museum”, “Gettin’ Paid:An Improvised Musical”, and “Faceplant: A Musical Revue of the Demented, Twisted, and Wrong”. He’s currently performing with Second City Outreach and Diversity’s “BrownCo” enemble, Second City’s “EdCo” ensemble, understudying with Wavelength, Inc., the all-Latino sketch comedy troupe Salsation Theatre Company, and the musical improvisational team Recapitulation. He has also been busy producing shows for Recapitulation as well as Salsation’s latest sketch revue Bank of A-mattress-ca: GhettoDog Millionaire. In addition, Nelson is handling drumming duties for Static Republic while helming his own musical project Courageous Rue.

Nelson would like to thank all of those who has supported him in pursuing his dreams especially his wife Jill and his son Alexander.

Patrick Garone*, Co-Producer

Patrick Garone has been working with Salsation since 2003 when he was box-office manager for My Big Fat Quinceañera. Since then, he has worked with the company as a stage manager, writer and actor and as the company’s Literary Manager. He appeared in Little Sweatshop of Horrors in 2005 and he co-directed the 2005 edition of Salsation’s touring show That Latino Show. He was the director of Salsation’s 2006 revue The Fanta Menace.

Patrick is a recent graduate of Northeastern Illinois University where he has appeared in such shows as The Real Inspector Hound, Life is a Dream, Boy Gets Girl, as Goldberg in The Birthday Party and as Pablo Picasso in Steve Martin’s Picasso at the Lapin Agile. At NEIU, he also wrote and directed the original sketch show Backwardly Mobile and directed N. F. Simpson’s Was He Anyone? as well as a production of Jose Rivera’s Cloud Tectonics.

Patrick is also a filmmaker and has made a number of short films as well as Salsation’s 10 Year retrospective Salsation X.

Patrick wants to say that he is grateful to have such a wonderful creative family in Salsation and that laughter is Pan American.

Gorilla Tango Theatre, Co-Producer

Gorilla Tango Theatre is diversity. GTT is a live theatrical venue where audiences can consistently go each week to see a wide variety of performances by a diverse group of talented artists. GTT exists to provide artists and organizations of all sizes and genres the opportunity to produce their work in a professional environment. GTT offers beginning and continuing professional training for all skill levels.

Cast bios

Maritza Cabrera

Maritza Cabrera is thrilled to make her Salsation debut. Stage credits include Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding, and things in college…ILL! Most recently the ETC stage in her graduate show from The Second City Conservatory. Recognize her face or her elbow? Fleeting glimpses as an extra on films and TV shows including, The Dark Knight and Leverage. She was also Angelina Jolie’s stand in on WANTED. Maritza also stays busy doing industrials, voiceovers, student films, and internet projects…no…not porn. For resume details, check her out at www.imdb.com. Maritza thanks her husband, family, friends, and teachers for their love and support.

Rainbow Cooney

Rainbow Cooney – Rainbow is my real name. I am 5’5″ with a husky build, brown hair and brown eyes. I’m a Scorpio (not the nutty kind – you know who you are). This is my second show with Salsation, my first show ever writing. I like long walks on the beach. One of my guilty pleasures is tanning. I drink way too much. I love to cook. Another guilty pleasure is Karaoke. I have taken classes at Second City, Annoyance & Piven Theaters. As much as this stuff scares the crap out of me, I love it and I have met some pretty fantastic people doing it. I hope everyone enjoys the show, it was a blast doing it and hopefully I will be fortunate enough to do more in the future.

Gabe Martinez

Gabriel Martinez is of Mexican descent. He was raised in Glendale Heights and Carol Stream. Gabriel has been performing improv/comedy for 9 years. Gabriel has trained at Improv Olympic, The Annoyance Theater and the beautiful C.I.A. Theater in Lincoln Square. He spends most of his time playing guitar and watching America’s Most Wanted. Gabe would like to thank his family, friends and his amazing girlfriend Laura for their love and support. Also his psychiatrist for making him realize the importance of all those things. And of course the wonderful people of Salsation for allowing him to perform with them.

Horacio Ramirez

Horacio Ramirez was born and raised in Chicago. Although there were attempts to deport him he managed to stay in the country. His voice can be heard on many commercials for radio station Power 92.3 and his face on many police sketch drawings. Horacio has previously worked with Salsation as a touring member and contributing writer. His previous acting experience consisted of pretending to work at his day job. He would like to thank his family and friends for doubting him all these years. Horacio is available for weddings, conferences and dates.

Michael Villarreal

Michael Villarreal is a actor, writer, director and a Chicago native. He is delighted to work with Salsation once again, as you may remember seeing him in The Fanta Menace. Michael’s training includes Piven Theatre Company, The Second City, The Annoyance Theatre, Victory Gardens Theatre and life’s precious moments. Writing and directing credits include: They Tell You They Love You, Sangre de Atole, El Matador, Flight Change, A Blank Stare is Better Than an Empty Chair. Currently employed by NEIU-CTC as a Program Coordinator within the Cicero-Berwyn Education Initiative, Michael enjoys sharing with teachers, students and parents his first love: The Theatre. He is also Founder of Hot Mess Productions, a theatre company dedicated to community based writing and presentations. He is grateful for the opportunity to work with Señor Garza and such a gifted cast. Hello.

*Denotes Salsation Ensemble Member.