UrbanTheater GRIND

Official Jeff Recommended ‘Cuba and His Teddy Bear’...

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 17:50:47 -0500

Official Jeff Recommended ‘Cuba and His Teddy Bear’ Trailer

by Rienaldo Povod
directed by Marilyn Camacho

UrbanTheater Company and PEOPLE*S THEATER of Chicago’s Midwest Premiere

Trailer produced by Joe Caballero (joecaballero.com)

For Info/Tix:

www.bit.ly/cubaandhisteddybear
http://urbantheater.tumblr.com

photos by Anthony Aicardi (www.aicardi.net)

Beyond The Pedway interview by Tim Jahn with Ivan Vega and...

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 16:21:43 -0400

Beyond The Pedway interview by Tim Jahn with Ivan Vega and Marilyn Camacho, both Co-Founders and Artistic Directors of UrbanTheater Company (UTC).

UTC is currently producing ‘Cuba and His Teddy Bear’ in collaboration with the People*s Theater of Chicago directed by Marilyn Camacho and written by Rienaldo Povod.

FROM the STREETS to the STAGE

GET TO KNOW OUR SPONSORS! Today we spotlight: MANAfoodbar -...

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:31:46 -0400

GET TO KNOW OUR SPONSORS!

Today we spotlight: MANAfoodbar - 1742 W. Division, Chgo/773.348.1742

Some fantastic sponsors have come on board with UrbanTheater Company and People*s Theater of Chicago to help bring you the Midwest Premiere of ‘Cuba and His Teddy Bear’ by Rienaldo Povod, directed by Marilyn Camacho. We are truly grateful for their support! We hope that you will support these businesses and organizations that SUPPORT THE ARTS!

MANAfoodbar is a wonderful new addition to Wicker Park’s dining scene. MANAfoodbar is brought to you by Susan Thompson of Sushi Wabi. MANAfoodbar offers a full service bar featuring Sake cocktails and simple, yet savory ‘meatless’ entrees and appetizers. It’s intimate dining environment is rich in ambience and sleek style. MANAfoodbar’s wide array of hot and cold appetizers and entrees are sure to satisfy every palette! To make reservations, review MANAfoodbar’s menu or to learn more about this fantastic and chic dining spot please check out their website: www.MANAfoodbar.com. Let them know you appreciate their support of Chicago Theater!

Don’t forget your tickets for the Midwest Premiere of ‘Cuba and His Teddy Bear!’

CUBA played by Madrid St. Angelo photo by Anthony Aicardi (taken...

Sat, 24 Oct 2009 01:51:00 -0400

CUBA played by Madrid St. Angelo

photo by Anthony Aicardi

(taken during a rehearsal for ‘Cuba and His Teddy Bear’)

‘Beyond The Pedway’ interview by @timjahn about UTC...

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 20:31:07 -0400

‘Beyond The Pedway’ interview by @timjahn about UTC with @ivanvega & @therubyyo.

photo via http://twitpic.com/mlxxe

GET TO KNOW OUR SPONSORS! Some fantastic sponsors have come on...

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 16:40:27 -0400

GET TO KNOW OUR SPONSORS!

Some fantastic sponsors have come on board with UrbanTheater Company and People*s Theater of Chicago to help bring you the Midwest Premiere of “Cuba and His Teddy Bear” by Rienaldo Povod. We are truly grateful for their support! We hope that you will support these businesses and organizations that SUPPORT THE ARTS! Today we spotlight:

INNJOY Wine & Dine: 2051 W. Division Street/Hoyne - (773) 394-2066

A long time staple of Wicker Park Nightlife, INNJOY is one of Chicago’s most popular destinations. Their motto, ‘Eat to the Beat’, says it all! Every night of the week you can find a sampling of fantastic food and drink specials and some of the best and most eclectic music you’re likely to hear anywhere in the city.

Monday Nights - are out of control with 25 cent Wings, $4 Jamo shots and $3 Lite and Hi Life Bottles (and Monday Night Football). - I love the wings!

Friday Nights - Rule with Madrid St. Angelo (playing ‘Joseph Cuba’), Its girl Jen Lungo slinging cocktails and attitude behind the bar and DJ Scratch and Sniff offering up the very best in soul, hip hop, funk dance and Retro! Friday nights are truly unstoppable. Plus those $6 buck Jager shots and the $9.95 All You Can Eat Fish Fry is to be reckoned with.

Saturday Night - are SIMPLY OFF THE CHAIN! If you like 80’s music, then look no further than INNJOY for your one stop Saturday Night Party Destination. Once of Chicago’s Best Kept Secrets….Word is Out! DJ Todd Modd has created one of the most celebrated and talked about 80’s nights in the city. From MJ to the Cutting Crew, from Guns and Roses to Berlin…..Todd plays ‘em all. 80’ music, retro video, killer drink specials ($6 buck Vodka Banzai’s) and the best dance party in the hood….look no further…and best of all…NO COVER!

****SPECIAL OFFER to ‘Cuba and His Teddy Bear’ patrons: make your pre-show dinner reservation at INNJOY and receive a complimentary Glass of Wine or Cocktail or bring in your Program after the show and receive a complimentary ‘shot’ to get your juices flowing for some after show delight!

For tickets to the Midwest Premiere of “Cuba and His Teddy Bear’ go to: www.bit.ly/cubaandhisteddybear

WHO WAS REINALDO POVOD? Reinaldo Povod grew up on the Lower East...

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 16:00:55 -0400

WHO WAS REINALDO POVOD?

Reinaldo Povod grew up on the Lower East Side of New York City, the son of a Puerto Rican mother and a Cuban father of Russian descent. At 17 he was discovered by Bill Hart, the literary manager of the Public Theater, who attended his play “Cries and Shouts” at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe, where Mr. Povod was a protege of the late Miguel Piñero. Mr. Hart brought Mr. Povod to the attention of Joseph Papp, who invited him to become a resident playwright at the Public Theater.

Reinaldo Povod, authored two plays “Cuba and His Teddy Bear” and “La Puta Vida Trilogy.”

Mr. Povod (pronounced puh-VAHD) quickly achieved prominence when his first full-length play, “Cuba and His Teddy Bear,” was produced by Joseph Papp in 1986 at the Public Theater and then on Broadway, with Robert De Niro in the role of Joseph Cuba, a drug dealer, and Ralph Macchio in the role of his sensitive son, Teddy.

Povod’s second work, “La Puta Vida Trilogy/This Bitch of a Life” was presented in 1987. Like “Cuba,” the three one-act plays presented a grim picture of life on the Lower East Side.

Reinaldo Povod died at the age of 34 from AIDS.

Final Cuba and His Teddy Bear Poster design by Cindy Hardy with...

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 20:05:00 -0400

Final Cuba and His Teddy Bear Poster design by Cindy Hardy with our sponsors

Show opens November 6th - November 13th at Batey Urbano, 2620 W. Division, Chgo. This is a limited engagement so please make sure to purchase your tickets before its too late. We already have a few nights sold out! For information/tickets call 773.371.1868 or http://bit.ly/cubaandhisteddybear

-From the Streets to the Stage

Photos by Antony Aicardi

Rehearsal Photos: “Cuba and His Teddy Bear” - Week...

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 16:21:05 -0400

Act 1 - Week 2

Act 1 - Week 2

Act 1 - Week 2

Rehearsal Photos: “Cuba and His Teddy Bear” - Week 2

For Tickets: I want to see the show!

PRESS/MEDIA RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 2, 2009 ...

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 04:39:00 -0400

PRESS/MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 2, 2009

MEDIA CONTACT: Elayne LeTraunik - (773) 404-0198 (cell) – virtualelayne@gmail.com

URBANTHEATER COMPANY AND PEOPLE’S THEATER CHICAGO PRESENT THE MIDWEST PREMIER OF REINALDO POVOD’S “CUBA AND HIS TEDDY BEAR” - OPENING: NOVEMBER 6TH

(Chicago, IL) “Cuba and his Teddy Bear”, Reinaldo Povod’s explosive drama about a
father-son relationship between a “small time” drug dealer and his coming of age son
receives its Midwest premiere in a co-production by UrbanTheater Company and People*s Theater Chicago. This searing family portrait runs November 6th through December 13th with preview performances November 4 and 5 at Batey Urbano Performance Space located 2620 W. Division Street, Chicago.

“Cuba and his Teddy Bear had a sold out world premiere in 1986 at New York’s Public
Theatre, moving thereafter to Broadway. The Joseph Papp-produced drama starred
Robert DeNiro, Ralph Macchio and Burt Young, each making his Broadway debut.

A resident playwright at Papp’s Public Theater, Reinaldo Povod was age 26 when “Cuba
and his Teddy Bear” premiered in New York. During his brief career, Povod garnered the prestigious George Oppenheimer/Newsday Award (“The Oppy”) and was honored by The Sundance Institute for his play “La Puta Vida Trilogy.”

For the Midwest Premier, Marilyn Camacho, a founding member and co-artistic director of UrbanTheater Company, makes her directorial debut with “Cuba and his Teddy Bear”. The production gathers a recognized group of local actors including: Madrid St. Angelo (Jeff Nominee for Best Supporting Actor for “Passage to India”), Ivan Vega (After Dark Award Winner for Best Actor for “Eulogy for a Small Time Thief”), Hank Hilbert, Christian Blackburn, Erynn Mackenzie, Kamal Hans and Julian Martinez.

“Cuba and his Teddy Bear” will be performed Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 P.M. and Sundays at 6:00 P.M. starting Friday November 6 through Sunday December 13. Preview performances are November 4 and 5. There will be no performance on Thanksgiving Day but a performance will be added Wednesday November 25 at 7:30 P.M. The play will be presented at Batey Urbano Performance Space located at 2620 W. Division Street.

Tickets are $20 for General Admission and $10 tickets are available every Thursdays for Industry Professionals and Students. For information on group rates and reservations please call (773) 371-1868. Tickets are available online at http://bit.ly/cubaandhisteddybear

# # #

ABOUT:

UrbanTheater Company (UTC): UTC is an ensemble of ethnically diverse artists and performers with roots in the Latino community. UTC is committed to the creation and exploration of urban-inspired works that convey, illuminate and empathize with the human experience. Its motto is, “From the Streets to the Stage.” For more information about UTC call 312-239-8783 or email urbantheatercompany@gmail.com.

People*s Theater of Chicago (PTC): PTC serves the LGBT community of Chicago by presenting, promoting and preserving the legacies of LGBT playwrights and performers. Its focus is on raising awareness pertaining to LGBT issues, both social and political. For more information about PTC call 773-344-5081 or e.mail PTC@peoplestheaterchicago.org

Cuba and His Teddy Bear: Storage Move/2nd Day of Rehearsal/Table...

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 02:53:00 -0400

Marilyn, Ivan & Madrid - Friends

Waiting on Ivan

Goodbye Simply Storage!

Marilyn & Madrid

Good Times

Salute...we're done...for now...

Day 2 - Table Work

Stop and Go

Madrid, Julian Alex (Stage Manager)

Marilyn, Christian & Alex

Cuba and His Teddy Bear: Storage Move/2nd Day of Rehearsal/Table Work (Humboldt Park)

Today was a LONG day! We (Marilyn, Madrid and Ivan) moved a bunch of platforms, lumber & set pieces in a U-Haul from Rogers Park (where they were in storage) to Humboldt Park. We started at 10am and didn’t get done till almost 7pm. We then jumped right into rehearsal from 7pm-11pm.

UrbanTheater/People*s Theater Co-Pro

Cuba and His Teddy Bear: 1st Day of Rehearsal/Table Work...

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 02:22:00 -0400

Cuba Table Work

Jorge Felix Talking About Set Design

Madrid & Hank w Joe C in back

Julian Martinez Highlighting Lines

Madrid in Action

Quick Chat During Break

Christian & Edgar

Director (Marilyn) & AD (Juan)

Juan, Alex & Madrid Listening

A Beautiful Day in Humboldt Park

Cuba and His Teddy Bear: 1st Day of Rehearsal/Table Work (Humboldt Park)

UrbanTheater/People*s Theater Co-Pro

UTC CALL FOR NEW WRITERS AND SCRIPTS!!

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 15:46:39 -0400

Urban Theater Company (UTC) is committed to the creation and exploration of urban-inspired works that convey, illuminate and empathize with the human experience. “From the streets to the stage and for the future.”

Seeking scripts that align with our mission of creating thought-provoking theater, in the Chicago area.

Send an inquiry to Literary Manager, Wysteria Edwards at wystiematt@hotmail.com

Inquiry must include:

A complete synopsis and cover letter, include all contact information, including email
10 page sample
Production history, if any
Resume

If we wish to read your entire script we will contact you via email. Please allow 4-6 months to hear back from us.

Thank you for your interest in UTC and best of luck in your writing endeavors!

Meet the cast of ‘Cuba and His Teddy Bear’ written...

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 15:18:00 -0400

Cuba and Teddy - Poster Image

Madrid St. Angelo as Cuba

Christian Blackburn as Teddy

Hank Hilbert as Jackie

Ivan Vega as Redlights

Erynn MacKendzie as Lourdes

Julian Martinez at Che

Kamal Hans as Dealer

Meet the cast of ‘Cuba and His Teddy Bear’ written by Rienaldo Povod, directed by Marilyn Camacho

Cuba and His Teddy Bear, Reinaldo Povod’s explosive drama about the relationship between a small time drug dealer and his son, receives its Midwest premiere in a co-production by UrbanTheater Company and PEOPLE*S THEATER of Chicago. Cuba and His Teddy Bear, with its themes of redemption, accountability and forgiveness, had a sold out world premiere in 1986 at New York’s Public Theatre, moving thereafter to Broadway. The Joseph Papp-produced drama starred Robert DeNiro, Ralph Macchio and Burt Young, each making his Broadway debut.

UrbanTheater Company/PEOPLE*S THEATER of Chicago production features: Madrid St. Angelo (Jeff Nominee, Best Supporting Actor, “Passage to India”); Ivan Vega (After Dark Award Winner, Best Actor, “Eulogy for a Small Time Thief”); Hank Hilbert (“Eulogy for a Small Time Thief”); Christian Blackburn; Erynn MacKenzie; Kamal Hans (“Merchant on Venice” “Passagge to India”); and Julian Martinez (Caravaggio,” “Merchant on Venice’)

About UrbanTheater Company: UTC is an ensemble of ethnically diverse artists and performers with roots in the Latino community. UTC is committed to the creation and exploration of urban-inspired works that convey, illuminate and empathize with the human experience. Its motto is, “From the Streets to the Stage.”

About The PEOPLE*S THEATER of Chicago: PTC serves the LGBT community of Chicago by presenting, promoting and preserving the legacies of LGBT playwrights and performers. Its focus is on raising awareness pertaining to LGBT issues, both social and political.

Show opens November 6th! For Tix & Info: http://bit.ly/NN7Rc

Photos by Anthony Aicardi

Cuba and His Teddy Bear - Official Poster UrbanTheater Company...

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 22:22:00 -0400

Cuba and His Teddy Bear - Official Poster

UrbanTheater Company and People*s Theater of Chicago present the official poster for the upcoming collaboration written by Rienaldo Povodo and directed by Marilyn Camacho.

Poster design by Cindy Hardy

Photos by Anthony Aicardi

For tickets & info visit: http://bit.ly/NN7Rc

Proyecto Latina: Ruby Yo! @ 35th St. Cafe Join Proyecto Latina...

Sat, 12 Sep 2009 00:55:33 -0400

Proyecto Latina: Ruby Yo! @ 35th St. Cafe

Join Proyecto Latina on Monday, September 21st @ 7 p.m. as we make our way to McKinley Park to the 35th Street Cafe to host our featured presenter, Marilyn Camacho a.k.a Ruby Yo!, hear your work on the open mic, and see what emerges from the chisme box!

Marilyn Camacho is hip-hop femcee, singer, and songwriter Ruby Yo! Her music is a mix of hip-hop, R&B, and Latin soul that rings familiar to her Puerto Rican roots. As Ruby Yo!, Camacho strives to fill the current void in hip-hop music, and ensure that the woman’s voice is truly heard and represented in a respectable fashion that’s true to the art form and its original purpose. You can catch Ruby Yo! performing at several open mics and events around the city. Check out Ruby Yo’s! online: myspace and facebook. *

35th Street Café
1735 W. 35th Street Chicago, IL 60609

*Marilyn Camacho’s second artistic identity is as an actress, director, writer, co-founder and co-artistic director of UrbanTheater Company (UTC) in Chicago. UTC is a multi-cultural theater company rooted in the Latino community that is committed to the creation and exploration of urban-inspired works that convey, illuminate and empathize with the human experience. In UTC’s 5 year history, she has either acted in or produced a number of UTC’s shows, such as Short Eyes, The Sun Always Shines for the Cool, Runaways, and most recently Broken Thread. She is ecstatic about her current official directorial debut, directing UrbanTheater’s/People’s Theater co-production of Cuba and His Teddy Bear, which will run at the Batey Urbano in Humboldt Park’s Paseo Boricua this upcoming fall.

UrbanTheater Company’s ROOFTOP BLITZ end of the year bash...

Sat, 12 Sep 2009 00:33:33 -0400

UrbanTheater Company’s ROOFTOP BLITZ end of the year bash goes down Saturday, September 12th from 6-11pm, 117 N. Jefferson. Don’t miss the opportunity to take in one of the most dazzling rooftop garden’s in Chicago. Check out the line up! “FROM the STREETS to the STAGE.”

Resident Playwright Signs Contract with Publisher!

Thu, 03 Sep 2009 13:09:00 -0400

Wysteria Edwards, UTC, Resident Playwright signed a contract with Eloquent Publishing this week. Her first children’s book, THE PERFECTION PROBLEM, illustrated by Jason Abbott, will be released later this spring. The duo will continue collaborating on several other titles in the future and be available for book signings at the May 25-27, 2010 BOOK EXPO AMERICA conference in NYC.

Edwards’ playwrighting work was also sought out by Theater Communications Group for their Free Night of Theater 2009. If you are a company interested in new works, she can be contacted via email at wystiematt@hotmail.com. Please send your submission guidelines.

To Magic!

Wysteria Edwards

UTC Resident Playwright

Chicago, IL

Will’s Corner: The Inner Workings of a Well-Oiled...

Thu, 27 Aug 2009 00:21:18 -0400

Will’s Corner: The Inner Workings of a Well-Oiled Machine

Hey all,

I am wondering if we can do this meeting as a conference call on Friday eve. I just got back into Chicago after a major delay and I need to pack my moving truck and head to NYC at 3 in the morning. I am packing the truck by myself and I need all the time I can get. What do we think? Some things to think about: Our benefit is less than a month away, how is casting for Cuba?, UCC (Urban Christmas Carol), Elayne Letraunik and UTC. These are the things that stand out to me, anything else from anybody else? Lets meet at 7pm Chicago time via SKYPE. I am sorry for the inconvenience but this delay could not be helped.

Sincerely,

Nikkieli DeMone
Co-Artistic Director
UrbanTheater Company

—————————————————————————————————————-

What time can we do a conference call where everyone can be on board? My schedule is open. This Friday evening I will be unavailable after 8pm. I could make 7pm, but it will be from my cell, not Skype. Is there someone who could host the call in order for all of us to be on? We have 26 days before Rooftop Blitz. What can we possible do with that amount of time and still make sure that get people there for some end of summer fun and maybe make a little money?

I look forward to us talking and putting our words into action.

Until Soon.

Ivan Vega
Co-Artistic Director
UrbanTheater Company—————————————————————————————————————

I work fri evening, but can probably slip out for a few minutes for the conf call. I can three way someone on the call, but can’t host skype..

Marilyn Camacho
Co-Artistic Director
UrbanTheater Company
Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile
—————————————————————————————————————

Hey guys, don’t sweat it. I had the meeting with myself and I really got a lot done! Some of my new initiatives were spectacular, and the number of old business items closed out were legion.

On the next meeting front, once this meeting ended I was actually able to finish the page and a half of items pending. When I discussed with me the option of delegating some of the stuff out to you guys, I brought up the argument that you folks are already overloaded and I made a motion that I table the item. The motion passed unanimously with no abstentions.

On the round table discussion on the upcoming year I brought up the two performances pending, Cuba and UCC. In discussion I came to the consensus that I am handling both projects well, as far as my duties are concerned. I brought up to me that I am still waiting for my draft of UCC, but I reminded me that Nik would be sending it to me soon. Once I tabled that item, I reminded myself that things are really looking up. I agreed.

Hope these meeting notes have helped keep the few of you who couldn’t attend up to date, but I told me that on occasion one or two members may have things that cannot be put off. I also agreed. It just made sense to me when I mentioned it to me.

So, me, myself and I concluded the gathering and I went my separate ways. I, myself and me look forward to catching up with you all at the next meeting.

Williams Hayashi
Business Relations
UrbanTheater Company

(Photo via Striatic)

Wysteria Edwards is being PUBLISHED!!! Eloquent Publishing will...

Thu, 06 Aug 2009 00:05:41 -0400

Wysteria Edwards is being PUBLISHED!!!

Eloquent Publishing will be publishing my first children’s book: THE PERFECTION PROBLEM. It is the first in a series: DEW DROP SCHOOL, based on my experiences teaching Kindergarten/First Grade at Oasis School, in Richland, WA. Jason Abbott will be illustrating, and he is FANTASTIC!!! We should be published by March, and will head to NYC for their BOOK EXPO AMERICA, where we will rub shoulders with other publishers and book distributers.

To magic,

Wysteria Edwards

UrbanTheater Company Resident Plawright