Tag Archives: el paso playhouse

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Jeffrey Hatcher’s 2008 adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s 19th century novella is the third production of the El Paso Playhouse’s 55^th season and just in time for the Halloween Season. But, this is not your grandfather’s Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

Multiple Hydes are played by members of the cast in this new adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic tale of depravity, lust, love and horror. On the fog-bound streets of Victorian-era London, Henry Jekyll’s experiments with exotic “powders and tinctures” have brought forth his other self-Edward Hyde, a sensualist and villain free to commit the sins Jekyll is too civilized to comprehend.

When Hyde meets a woman who stirs his interest, Jekyll fears for her life and decides to end his experiments. But Hyde has other ideas.

Set to run during a much anticipated Halloween season, especially at the El Paso Playhouse where it’s rumored to be haunted, “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” promises to deliver on the thrills.

Hatcher broadens Stevenson’s pre-Freudian insight into the complexities of human personality by creating not one, but four unique Edward Hydes, each an embodiment of a different facet of evil. The four Hydes in this eight-actor production also appear as butlers, lawyers, physicians and other respectable folks in Dr. Jekyll’s London circle, dramatizing further the message that we all have our internal beasts, capable of emerging suddenly if repressed too tightly beneath starched colors and rigid societal conventions.

“I think our audiences are going to enjoy this version, the cast said they were having nightmares during rehearsals,” said Veronica Frescas, the show’s director. “From the beginning, we knew we had something both scary and fun that we could bring to life in this version and we’re looking forward to sharing it with our audiences,” Frescas said.

Performers are Freddie Nevarez Jr. (Henry Jekyll), Daniel Holguin (Hyde, Utterson), Jeremiah Core (Hyde, Enfield, medical doctor), Ivan Orozco (Hyde, medical student), Genesis Tanner (Hyde, Poole, Maid, prostitute), Tiffani Bradbury (Elizabeth), James Arce (Sir Carew, Sanderson, Inspector), Dale Cole (Dr. Lanyon).

For its 55^th season, there have been a few changes. Performances will run through the first weekend in November. General Admission tickets are $15. Students, military and educators pay only $12 and Children 12 and under pay $9.00.

Tickets are available for the remaining two weekends of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde’s run at the El Paso Playhouse located at 2501 Montana Avenue.

For additional information contact the El Paso Playhouse Box Office at (915) 532-1317 or contact them through e-mail at theelpasoplayouse@gmail.com.

The El Paso Playhouse is set to present its production of Josefina Lopez’s “Real Women Have Curves” as its second production of the 54th season.

The curtain rises on September 8 and runs every weekend through October 1, to coincide with National Hispanic Heritage Month.

Set in a tiny sewing factory in East L.A., this award-winning comedy from acclaimed playwright Josefina López tells the story of five full-figured women racing to meet an impossible deadline to keep their sewing factory from going under.

The basis for the award-winning film of the same name starring America Ferrera, “Real Women Have Curves” celebrates real bodies, life in southern California, and the incredible bond when women work together.

As America remains deeply divided on the subject of immigration, the plight of immigrant laborers is dishearteningly relevant. And despite songs like “All about the Bass” or the popularity of Melissa McCarthy, heavier bodies are still treated with contempt in our culture.

“The fact that Real Women while written and performed in the late 80’s is still so relevant today in 2017, it’s disappointing that we haven’t advanced on the issue of immigration reform or how women, especially Latina women, are treated is both scary and disappointing, ” said Eurydice Saucedo, the show’s director.

“The way the characters fear la migra is the same terror those in hiding from the Gestapo, and this is the United States of America in 2017. When we cast the show, we had absolutely no idea that one of the actors was a DREAMer, which has made this production that much more real and poignant,” Saucedo continues.

“We want the audiences to walk away with a newfound respect for these women and those they are portraying in real life – the undocumented, exploited, Latinas who simply want the American dream,” Saucedo added.

Claudia Yoli Ferla plays the role of “Estela,” a deeply-in-debt, and behind-schedule hopeless romantic that doesn’t have a green card. The only way the women can stave off disaster is to deliver an impossible order in a week — a task that might overwhelm even people who weren’t preoccupied by their own and one another’s body weights.

“Through the role of Estela, I speak out for myself, the immigrant community, and the border,” said Claudia, a DREAMer concerned about the future of the Deferred Action on Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.

Rounding out the cast are our protagonist, Ana Garcia (Abigail Moreno), is a recent high school graduate full of feminist fervor, sass and wants to be a writer. She can’t afford college, so she has been persuaded to help out at the garment factory owned by her older sister, Estela (Claudia Yoli Ferla). Their gossipy mother, Carmen (Lorena Soto), also works there, along with the stolid Pancha (Eurydice Saucedo) and the cheerful Rosali (Cristina Zermeno).

“Real Women Have Curves” will open Friday, September 8, 2017 at 8:00 pm at the El Paso Playhouse at 2501 Montana.

The El Paso Playhouse is set to open its 54th season with its premiere of Tim Firth’s comedy-drama “Calendar Girls.”

This comedic play is set in Yorkshire, England. When Annie’s husband dies of leukemia, she and best friend resolve to raise money for the local hospital by creating and selling a calendar.

They manage to persuade four other friends and fellow WI group members to pose nude for a pinup calendar featuring middle age women; which turns out to be a huge success. But Chris and Annie’s friendship is tested with the resulting media circus and their newfound fame.

“I’m delighted to be working with such a fun and talented cast,” says Frieda Voeks. “There was never a lack of laughter during rehearsals because this cast is just a wonderful group of professionals to work with. I’m so fortunate to have had so much fun creating this with all ofthem and we hope our audiences enjoy it as much as we did creating it for them. It will leave you laughing and crying.”

Voeks continues, “I think there are a good many of us who have unfortunately been touched in one way or another by cancer. To be able to bring this true story to life and to work with a script that doesn’t often call for middle aged actors has been bittersweet.”

Based on an uplifting true story of 11 WI members who posed nude to raise money for the Leukemia Research Fund, this quirky, poignant and hilarious story will touch your heart and funny bone.

‘Calendar Girls’ is directed by Frieda Voeks. The cast includes Alexandra Van Sweringen (Chris), Leslie Leigh Tucker Horvath (Annie), Anita Bromley-Sanchez (Cora), Veronica Frescas (Celia), Jean Ames (Jessie), Kathryn Forest (Ruth), ), Lluvia Almanza (Marie), Cristy Zermeno (Elaine), Ann Cameron (Lady Cravenshire), Stephen Jones (Rod), Nate Hollebeke (Lawrence), Anthony Munoz (Liam), and Alex Garcia (John).

Opening night kicks off with a with free finger food and drinks for ticket holders that night only. “Calendar Girls” will open Friday, July 21, 2017 at 8:00 pm at the El Paso Playhouse.

WHAT: Calendar Girls  by Tim Firth, Directed by Frieda Voeks

WHERE: El Paso Playhouse  |  2501 Montana

PERFORMANCES: Friday, and Saturday evenings at 8:00 pm (July 21, 22, 28, 29 August 4, 5, 11, 12) Sunday matinees at 2:00 pm (July 23, 30 August 6, 13)

TICKETS:  $15 – General admission/$12 seniors (62+)/students & military/group rates available.

BOX OFFICE: 915-532- 1317 /theelpasoplayhouse@gmail.com

The El Paso Playhouse, the longest running community theater in El Paso, presents The Diary of Anne Frank Oct 28-Nov 20.

In addition to the play, organizers have launched a GoFundMe page to help support the show and the educational materials they will be providing during the show’s run.

The information below is taken from their fundraising page:

This powerful dramatization of the beloved book captures the spirit and wit of the amazing 13-year-old girl we met in the diary, while bringing us into the frightening and claustrophobic reality of the life she and her family were forced to endure in that attic in Amsterdam.

We have partnered with the El Paso Holocaust Museum to present this important play, and to use this production to educate our audiences about the most horrific case of genocide in history.  Our lobby will be filled with educational exhibits, and we will have guest speakers prior to the show.

Please help us cover the costs of the production and our educational materials!  Now more than ever, we can’t afford to forget how the hatred and marginalization of one group led to the persecution and murder of over 6 million people.

Now is the time to reflect on the moral questions raised by the Holocaust, and on our values and responsibilities as citizens of a democracy. Any amount helps and no donation is too small;  we greatly appreciate any donation you’re able to make.

“It’s difficult in times like these: ideals, dreams and cherished hopes rise within us, only to be crushed by grim reality.  It’s a wonder I haven’t abandoned all my ideals, they seem so absurd and impractical.  Yet I cling to them because I still believe, in spite of everything, that people are truly good at heart.”  – Anne Frank