Monday, December 21, 2009

R.I.P. Michael Philip Del Río

Michael Philip Del Río
(9 December 1956 – 13 December 2009)

I first met Michael when I was just starting out in the industry. He recognized that I was an actor and a writer and not just one or the other. I felt like he "got me," like he understood me. He was also an actor and a writer. In those early days, he was very supportive of me and my endeavors. I would see him sporadically in the following years, but he never changed. He always had this light, this youthful energy, this exuberance that was contagious. Whether he was alone or, as often was the case, with his wife Lori, running into him always became a highlight of my day.

His death is still a shock. I think about his family, his friends and his wife (now widow) Lori. I wished I had spent more time with him, but I cherish every moment I got to spend with him. If I were to see him again, all I would tell Michael is, "Thank you, brother. Thank you. Thank you so much for being there for me in my life." And as the curtain of one existence falls and another curtain rises for the light that was known as Michael Philip Del Río, I wish him good luck on his next adventure and I know that wherever he is now, he will continue to charm everyone he encounters along the way.
--A.B. Lugo.

For more information on the career of Michael Philip Del Río, click here.

Friday, December 4, 2009

HOLA Member Bochinche

Bochinche refers to "gossip." In this sense, we use it to mention HOLA members who are getting acting gigs.

Lucía Armendáriz and Jesús E. Martínez can be heard as voices of characters in the new video game Grand Theft Auto: Episodes from Liberty City (Rock Star Games).

Repertorio Español presented the 2009 MetLife Nuestras Voces National Playwriting Competition Reading Series at their eponymous theater in the Gramercy section of Manhattan. Play readings produced included those by Rob Santana, Lina Gallegos and Marcelo Rodríguez.

Moisés Acevedo e-mailed us to say that he worked on the Allen Coulter-helmed film Remember Me in a scene opposite Martha Plimpton, a role on the HBO television series "How to Make It in America" and work on two plays (River of Tides in a tour with Pace University and No Place Like Home at the Paul Robeson Theater in Brooklyn).

Juan Villarreal
also recently e-mailed to let us know what he is doing. In theater, he performed Los habladores with Teatro Círculo on tour at the University of Rhode Island. In television, he played Raúl the tailor in an episode of "How to Make It in America" (HBO) and a commercial for Klondike ice cream. In addition, he has done various voiceovers and audiobook narrations.

If you are an HOLA member and want to submit a bochinche item, send us an e-mail at holagram@hellohola.org. If you are not an HOLA member, why not join?

Thursday, December 3, 2009

2009 HOLA Awards Report

The Tenth Annual HOLA Awards and Benefit took place on Monday, October 26, 2009 at the nation's oldest theatrical club, The Players, which overlooks Gramercy Park in Manhattan, New York City. Salsa singer Javier Luis opened the ceremony with two songs. Following that, there was a poignant moment when HOLA Advisory Board Member Alex Segura praised his uncle, former HOLA Board Chairman Francisco G. Rivela, who passed away earlier this year. Instead of a moment of a silence, as per HOLA Awards tradition, he asked for applause for the late actor, director and announcer. This resulted in a full standing ovation which lasted several minutes amid voices screaming, "Bravo! Bravo!"

After the auspicious beginning, masters of ceremonies Jorge Ramos, Odalys Molina and Mario Bósquez hosted the awards ceremony. The evening was a series of highlights. Outstanding Solo Performance awardee Marga Gómez thanked HOLA ("or as the kids call it nowadays, 'HOLLA'") for her second HOLA award. Outstanding Featured Female Actor awardee Selenis Leyva won her first solo HOLA Award in 12 years of acting for, in her words, "playing a whore." She then said, "If I play more whores, maybe I'll get more awards. (Editor's note: By sheer coincidence, she is currently, um, playing a prostitute in the musical Pantaleón y las visitadoras).

Outstanding Achievement in Direction awardee José A. Esquea gave his speech in both in English and Spanish before having to run off the stage (he was also stage managing the event). Outstanding Female Actor awardee Carissa Jocétt Toro was sweet when she announced that she was "honored to be in the room with all of [these] people." She added that she would love to work with all of them one day.

Other highlights were the acceptance speeches of Broadway and TV star Sara Ramírez via video (she is currently shooting "Grey's Anatomy" in Los Angeles), star of stage and screen Luis Antonio Ramos (who talked of his love for the Yankees and gave a special message in Spanish to his mother), Tony winner David Álvarez and Spanish TV star Ricardo Gómez ("Cuéntame cómo pasó), as well as appearances by Tony Plana (ABC's "Ugly Betty"), Florencia Lozano (ABC's "One Life to Live") and Carson Kressley (Bravo's "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy"), the evening made for a star-studded event.

Following a performance by Out of Isla, the two lifetime achievement awardees (Silvia Brito and René Sánchez) gave speeches. And like that, it was over. Another amazing HOLA Awards ceremony goes down in the history books. If you would like to see some photos of the HOLA Awards (taken by A Ruiz Photography), click here.

Friday, November 20, 2009

HOLA Member Bochinche

Bochinche refers to "gossip." In this sense, we use it to mention HOLA members who are getting acting gigs.

Gilbert Cruz, shown at right, is set to shoot a role in the film Casual Encounters. He received this gig as the result of an HOLA referral.

Miguel Ángel Juan, shown at left, e-mailed us to let us know that he received two great calls this week from casting directors that saw his profile on the HOLA online directory. The first one was for a bilingual industrial film and the second one for a national Wendy's fast food restaurant commercial. "WOW!!!! When it all comes it comes at once. The HOLA Pages [online directory] have been a great tool for me to help promote myself for television, radio and theater work." [Blogger's note: Unfortunately, he wasn't able to accept these two gigs, because he is currently on tour in Minsk, Belarus with the Belarussian State National Circus as their main clown and feature attraction.]

Gil Ron acted in the Barefoot Theater Company's production 70/70 Horowitz Project, ten short plays (subtitled Mid-East Pieces and Suite Horovitz) by Israel Horovitz. Directed by Eric Nightingale, Michael LoPorto and Pamela Seiderman, the production took place at Theater for the New City in the East Village neighborhood of Manhattan.

Walter Krochmal recently contributed Spanish voiceovers and text, along with a selection of photographs, to a special segment airing on the CNN en Español program “En Familia.” The program's short visual essay features a large-scale exhibit of scarecrows he encountered on a mountain bike ride in Lyndhurst, New York, along the Old Croton Aqueduct Trail. The exhibit, peopled with dozens, perhaps even several hundred extremely life-like creations, fuses the millenarian art of scarecrow-making with a contemporary sensibility and the deep-rooted Halloween traditions that can be found in this area, just a few miles from the town where colonial era writer Washington Irving set The Legend of Sleep Hollow. Click here to see the slideshow of images.

If you are an HOLA member and want to submit a bochinche item, send us an e-mail at holagram@hellohola.org. If you are not an HOLA member, why not join?

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

HOLA Member Bochinche

Bochinche refers to "gossip." In this sense, we use it to mention HOLA members who are getting acting gigs.

Angelina Llongeras, shown at right, e-mailed us to let us know that she nabbed the role of Amá (the lead character) in the film El día de las Martas, produced by Konstant Films and directed by Eric Escobar. She received this gig as the result of an HOLA referral. Also, the actress-playwright-director played the role of Elisa in the solo show As A Witness Sàskia (written by Rosa Victoria Gras and directed by Michael Pulizzano) at the El Aguijón Theater in Chicago.

Inma Heredia acted in the play Taking the Fall. Produced by Around the Block/Al Doblar La Esquina, it was series of six short plays presented at the Epiphany Branch of the New York Public Library in the Gramercy area of Manhattan. She also presented her flamenco show at the Poet's Den Theater in Manhattan's El Barrio neighborhood.

Jean-Marc Berne
booked a national on-camera commercial for Eclipse gum.

Emilio Delgado will be performing with the musical group Pink Martini in December at Town Hall in the theater district in midtown Manhattan.

If you are an HOLA member and want to submit a bochinche item, send us an e-mail at holagram@hellohola.org. If you are not an HOLA member, why not join?

Friday, November 13, 2009

HOLA Member Bochinche

Bochinche refers to "gossip." In this sense, we use it to mention HOLA members who are getting acting gigs.

Christopher James López, shown here, recently returned as an HOLA member and sent us this e-mail: "I just wanted to tell you that in less than a week of joining HOLA, I got 2 calls from an agent and a manager to audition for a commercial. HOLA works. I'm trying to get my broke friends to join. I may have to buy them HOLA memberships for Xmas."

Inma Heredia and Raquel Almazán acted in the film Run It, directed by Evangelos Giovanis and George Giovanis, opposite Louis Zorich and Sam Coppola. The film was presented in New York as part of the New York City Greek Film Festival. In addition, Almazán appeared in a recent episode of "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (NBC).

Marjorie Ocho Kouns was just cast as the voice of a new character named Señora Gigante on "Dora the Explorer" (PBS).

Aldo Marachlian can be seen performing his standup comedy and presenting other comedians at the Laugh Lounge in the Loisaida section of Manhattan. For more information, click on to his website here.

If you are an HOLA member and want to submit a bochinche item, send us an e-mail at holagram@hellohola.org. If you are not an HOLA member, why not join?

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

HOLA Member Bochinche

Bochinche refers to "gossip." In this sense, we use it to mention HOLA members who are getting acting gigs.

Mónica Yudovich, shown at right, auditioned for and was cast in an ABC Diversity Showcase in Los Angeles, due to an HOLA casting announcement she received via e-mail.

Gladys K. Nilsen booked a commercial for Banana Nut Cheerios, which can be seen here (she appears at the end of the commercial).

Jean-Marc Berne recorded a voiceover for an online video game called "The Burger Game." To hear his work as Raoul the Dog Boy, click here.

Blanca Vásquez e-mailed us to let us know that she has booked several voiceovers (including work for MTV, New York State Lottery and Kohl's). On stage, she toured Atlanta, Georgia with the Society of the Educational Arts (SEA) for the National Puppetry Festival with the show La muela de rey Farfán/The Toothache of King Farfán (directed by Manuel Morán).

Romina Sacre and David Arca performed in the Carlos Lacámara play Nowhere on the Border. Produced by Stageworks Hudson and directed by Laura Margolis, the play took place in Hudson, New York. Both actors found out about the audition through an HOLA casting notice. Reviews were excellent for the production. Critics wrote that "Romina Sacre as Pilar borders on brilliant" (Michael Eck, Times Union), "David Arca does clean and capable work" (Charles Kondek, Hudson-Catskill newspapers), and "This is must-see theater at its very finest" (Carol King, Daily Gazette).

If you are an HOLA member and want to submit a bochinche item, send us an e-mail at holagram@hellohola.org. If you are not an HOLA member, why not join?

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

WELCOME NEW AND RETURNING MEMBERS - SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER 2009

Below is a list of new (and returning) HOLA members who joined between September 1, 2009 and October 31, 2009.

(From left to right, top row): Cecilia Arana; Wanda Arriaga; (second row): Elsie Ann Bauduy; Alberto Bonilla; (third row): Jennica Carmona; Zahaira Curiel; (fourth row): DAMARIS; Edmi De Jesús; (fifth row): Venuz Delmar; Martina García; (sixth row): Mary García; Jorge Hoyos; (seventh row): Katerina Katerín; Joel Luna; (eighth row): Aldo Marachlian; Alain Michel Martínez; (ninth row): Melanie Martínez; Gladys Idelis Nieves; (tenth row): María Olivares; Harry Perdón; (eleventh row): Barbie Pérez; Yanillys Pérez; (twelfth row): Mónica Pérez Brandes; Alejandra Piñeiro; (thirteenth row): Alejandro Santoni; Lina Sarrello; (bottom row): Andrea Sosa; Martín Untrojb.

Not pictured: Caterina Di Pierro.

Saturday, October 17, 2009

HOLAfábrica presents SPANISH LANGUAGE VOICEOVER WORKSHOP

HOLAfábrica presents a

SPANISH LANGUAGE VOICEOVER WORKSHOP
with Manuel Herrera

Call to reserve: (212) 253-1015

Only six (6) sessions over three weeks
Tuesdays and Thursdays

November 3 through 19, 2009
from 6:30pm Sharp - 8:30pm!


HOLA members: $200 (HOLA Membership required)

Register early as there is limited enrollment.
Registration confirmed upon payment. VISA, MC & AMEX
Small intimate classes (we promise)

HOLA office
CSV Cultural and Educational Center
107 Suffolk Street, Room 302, NYC
(F to Delancey / J M Z to Essex)

Manuel Herrera, HOLA Special Projects Director, actor , voiceover artist and Director of Rights Acquisition for Recorded Books, LLC will direct an advanced voice-over technique workshop for the experienced actor who wishes to fine-tune his/her technique. The workshop covers: diction and voicing in Spanish; interpretation and rhythm; character voices, and narration; professional audition and quick study techniques. Previous HOLA voice-over workshop students invited. Applicants should supply blank CD to record work progress. Optional production of demo tape available at additional cost. Actual voiceover copy will be used for this series. Small classes.




Workshop held at HOLA using the "WhisperRoom."

Voiceover jobs in Spanish provide the greatest income potential for the Spanish speaking actor. Register early as there is limited enrollment. Registration confirmed upon payment. Call (212) 253-1015 to reserve.

Friday, October 16, 2009

Javier Luis and Out of Isla to perform at 2009 HOLA Awards


Hispanic Organization of Latin Actors (HOLA) Press Release

For immediate release, please
Contact: Manny Alfaro/A.B. Lugo (212) 253-1015 holagram@hellohola.org

JAVIER LUIS AND OUT OF ISLA
TO PERFORM AT TENTH ANNUAL
HOLA AWARDS

Awards to take place on October 26, 2009
at The Players overlooking New York's Gramercy Park

Honorees include Sara Ramírez ("Grey's Anatomy"), Tony winner David Álvarez (Billy Elliot: The Musical), famed choreographer/director Julie Aren
al actors René Sánchez, Silvia Brito, Luis Antonio Ramos, Ricardo Gómez and others

New York, New York – Salsero Javier Luis and performance group Out of Isla will perform at the tenth annual HOLA Awards Gala and Benefit. The HOLA Awards will take place Monday, October 26, 2009 at 6:30pm at The Players, America’s oldest theatrical club, at 16 Gramercy Park South in Manhattan.

Javier Luis, also known as La Sonrisa que Canta (The Smile that Sings), recently won a Premios Sin Límite award in the category Tropical Music Revelation. Known for his original salsa tunes and his romantic ballads, Javier Luis keeps on leaving traces in the contemporary music. Born in Ponce, Puerto Rico and raised in New York City, his songs are described to have nostalgic memories united with pronounced romantic poetry. He co-wrote several of the songs and vocally arranged some of the songs on his new album. A singer-composer-actor-dancer, he grew up listening to American music such as Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey and Brian McKnight, just to name a few. His Latin music influences are legends such as Celia Cruz, Héctor Lavoe, La India, Olga Tañón, Huey Dunbar, Luis Miguel and Christián Castro. He has also sung gospel and jazz music and has performed at New York’s Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center as well as venues in Boston, San José and Tampa. For more information, log on to www.myspace.com/javierluis.

After performing in opera and concerts throughout Europe and in their native Puerto Rico and Cuba, Emmanuelle Bordas and Aviva Cambara met in Hell's Kitchen in Manhattan. Thus, Out of Isla was born. They joined forces to compose music that highlights their respective international and music backgrounds, and that mixes blues, rock, jazz, Latin, world and occasionally a classical sound. At the piano, Cambara’s unique dark color unites with the soul and voice of Bordas. Their music reflects their belief that even with the vast variety and uniqueness of each person, we all still share the same life experiences of loss, love, death, joy, sorrow, and chasing after dreams. Thus in their blending of various musical styles in Out of Isla, Cambara and Bordas reflect their own desires to bring an awareness of both the similarity and uniqueness of each person. For more information check out www.reverbnation.com/outofisla or www.myspace.com/outofisla.

The HOLA Awards honor Latino professionals in the entertainment and media industries, as well as hand out award for outstanding work in New York’s Latino theater during the previous season. This year marks the tenth anniversary of the HOLA Awards.

Some of the awardees at the 2009 HOLA Awards include HOLA Ilka Award recipient Sara Ramírez (TV's "Grey's Anatomy"); Raúl Juliá HOLA Founders Award recipient Julie Arenal (choreographer of the original Broadway production of Hair); José Ferrer HOLA Tespis Award recipient Luis Antonio Ramos (stage and screen actor-- The Ministers, "Early Edition," "Martin"); Special Recognition honorees David Álvarez (star of Broadway’s Billy Elliot: The Musical), Ricardo Gómez (star of TV Española’s “Cuéntame cómo pasó”), Pregones Theater (for their 30th anniversary) and Univisión 41 (for 41 years of service to the community); and actor/producer Silvia Brito and actor René Sánchez for Lifetime Achievement. For a complete list of awardees, click here.

Javier Luis and Out of Isla will perform at the tenth annual HOLA Awards Gala and Benefit on Monday, October 26, 2009 at 6:30pm at The Players, America’s oldest theatrical club, located at 16 Gramercy Park South in Manhattan. Tickets for the 2009 HOLA Awards Gala and Benefit are $95 ($125 if bought at the door) and can be bought through calling HOLA at (212) 253-1015 or online at www.hellohola.org.

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Thursday, October 15, 2009

HOLA Member Bochinche

Bochinche refers to "gossip." In this sense, we use it to mention HOLA members who are getting acting gigs.

Alain Michel Martínez, shown at right, booked a voiceover gig as the voice of an audio tour. He got the gig through an HOLA casting announcement.

Milteri Tucker performed in the world premiere of Momentum Trilage, a dance performance featuring a fusion of African, bomba and modern dance. The show took place at Greenspace in the Long Island City area of Queens. She also is acting in serving as choreographer for Los cracks, a play written by Julio Ortega. Directed by Ramón "Monchi" Herrera, the play took place at the Poet's Den Theater in Manhattan's El Barrio neighborhood and also featured Ortega, Herrera, Basílica Bliachas, Noëlle Mauri, Ruth Haliga and Juan Villarreal in the cast.

Pregones Theater opens their 30th season with Aloha Boricua, a new play with music developed and directed by Jorge B. Merced with music by Merced and Desmar Guevara and additional music and lyrics by Rosalba Rolón. Scheduled for a November run at Pregones' eponymous theater in the Mott Haven section of the South Bronx, the play features Sol Marina Crespo and Omar Pérez in the cast.

If you are an HOLA member and want to submit a bochinche item, send us an e-mail at holagram@hellohola.org. If you are not an HOLA member, why not join?

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

HOLA Member Bochinche

Bochinche refers to "gossip." In this sense, we use it to mention HOLA members who are getting acting gigs.

Ángel Gil Orrios was one of the recipients of the 2009 Mayor's Awards for Arts & Culture. The award was given to him by NYC mayor Michael Bloomberg for his work as producer of Thalía Spanish Theater in Sunnyside, Queens.

Frank Craven continues to do his award-winning public access television program, "What's Ailing/Healing America?" on Manhattan Neighborhood Network. In addition, two of his plays, Quatre Chats et Un Loup (4 Cats and 1 Wolf) and Right vs. Righteous in a multilingual version (the latter play being translated into Spanish and Russian) by BookSurge. Finally, he performed, singing and playing guitar at a celebration for the anniversary of the birth of John Lennon. The performance took place at famed Strawberry Fields in Manhattan's Central Park.

Jean-Marc Berne
continues working on several voiceovers-- most recently, of the canine kind. He played the role of a dog in a Spanish e-learning audiobook and narrated the voice of "Dog Boy" for a Halloween video game. He writes, "Did you know that even dogs bark in different languages? For example, ¡Guau! (in Spanish), Ouaf! (in French) and Woof (English)."

Fragal Communications Press presented four short plays at the IX Candilejas Festival: Los cuernos and Imposible (both by Agustín Cuzzani), Las confesiones de Lola (by Karina Blanco and Joanna Herrera) and Cuando den las tres (by Salvador Enríquez). Produced and directed by Franco Galecio, the plays featured, Galecio, Blanco, Herrera and Guiovan Bolaños in the cast and took place at The Poet's Den Theater in Manhattan's El Barrio neighborhood.


If you are an HOLA member and want to submit a bochinche item, send us an e-mail at holagram@hellohola.org. If you are not an HOLA member, why not join?

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

R.I.P. Gilberto Zaldívar / Q.E.P.D. Gilberto Zaldívar

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: JOSÉ ANTONIO CRUZ, REPERTORIO ESPAÑOL
Tel. 212-225-9955 | jcruz@repertorio.org
Manhattan, New York, USA
Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Gilberto Zaldívar, Founding President and Producer Emeritus of the acclaimed Spanish-language theater company Repertorio Español of New York, passed yesterday Tuesday, October 6, 2009 at 5:30pm at his apartment in the Gramercy neighborhood of Manhattan in New York. He was 75 years old and died due to complications of Lewy Body Disease. Mr. Zaldívar was diagnosed with the disease in 2001. He is survived by his sister Nancy Zaldívar, his life partner Robert Weber Federico and his friend and Repertorio’s co-founder, René Buch.

Gilberto Zaldívar co-founded the theater company Repertorio Español of New York along with René Buch in 1968 and worked as its Executive Producer until 2005 when he retired due to illness. Mr. Zaldívar was a tireless and passionate producer that quickly positioned Repertorio Español as the nation’s pre-eminent Spanish-language theater. Through almost four decades of utmost dedication, Mr. Zaldívar produced hundreds of plays by authors from dozens of Latin American countries; established an ensemble of hundreds of talented actors performing in Spanish; collaborated with directors from Cuba, Puerto Rico, Colombia, Argentina, México, Brazil and Spain; brought Pilar Rioja’s Spanish and flamenco dance to New York audiences; toured throughout Latin America and Spain; raised millions of dollars for the theater he loved and employed hundreds of artists from all all Spanish-speaking countries. Most importantly, Zaldívar is remembered as a generous and charismatic professional by those that worked with him. His efforts still mark the lives of thousands of students and adults that march through Repertorio Español’s doors every year to witness the magic of live Spanish-language theater and of works not produced elsewhere.

René Buch, Artistic Director of Repertorio Español, expressed that “Yesterday the arts world lost one of its greatest impresarios. A man who confronted the challenges and whose vision and passion brought the great wealth of Latin American and Spanish culture to the forefront of American theater. Gilberto was my most demanding critic, a passionate supporter and a friend of unprecedented loyalty. His passing leaves a void in my heart and the hearts of the entire Repertorio family.” There will be a celebration of his life on Friday, October 9, 2009 from 2pm-10pm at Repertorio Español located at 138 East 27th Street in Manhattan, New York, NY 10016 (between Lexington and Third Avenues).

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that a donation be made to the Gilberto Zaldívar Memorial Endowment Fund to support Repertorio Español. Contributions can be made by sending a check to Repertorio Español: 138 East 27th Street, New York, NY 10016 payable to the Gilberto Zaldívar Memorial Endowment Fund.

FULL BIOGRAPHY – GILBERTO ZALDÍVAR:
Gilberto Zaldívar was born in Deleyte, Cuba in 1934. His involvement with theatre began in Cuba as an avocation. While working for Goodrich Industrial Products, Mr. Zaldívar co-founded Teatro Arlequín, a 199-seat theatre in Havana presenting contemporary works. He moved to New York at age 27 in 1961 and began working in the corporate accounting field, rising to Manager of Accounts Payable for Diner's Club before committing himself to full-time work in the theatre. In 1966 he joined Stella Holt and Frances Drucker at the Greenwich Mews Theatre, well known for its pioneering work in black and minority theatre. In 1967, Mr. Zaldívar became co-producer with Ms. Drucker and, jointly, presented works by Langston Hughes, René Marqués and Alice Childress, as well as Spanish language productions of Federico García Lorca’s Yerma and Fernando de Rojas’ La celestina. In 1968, Mr. Zaldívar joined forces with René Buch to form Repertorio Español. As Executive Producer of Repertorio Español, he brought the works of Spanish playwrights such as Federico García Lorca, Tirso de Molina and Calderón de La Barca; and contemporary Hispanic playwrights from the United States and Latin America such as Ernesto Caballero, Emilio Carballido, Isaac Chocrón, Nilo Cruz, Gabriel García Márquez, Jacobo Langsner, Eduardo Machado, Luis Rafael Sánchez and Mario Vargas Llosa to New York's audiences. Mr. Zaldívar produced the world premieres of plays such as Café con leche, La gringa and La cándida Eréndira; the New York premiere of García Lorca’s El público and the Spanish-language premiere of Nilo Cruz’s Pulitzer Prize winning drama Anna in the Tropics. His commitment to Repertorio and its mission led the way for the Company to develop into the finest Spanish-language theatre in the United States, and the only one working in a rotating repertory format.

In 1973, he introduced the renowned Spanish and flamenco dancer, Pilar Rioja, to New York audiences and produced her shows in the United States for over 25 years. In 1980, Mr. Zaldívar brought musical theatre to Repertorio with a Spanish-language production of The Fantasticks which represented the United States on a tour to Latin America for the U.S. Information Agency. This program grew to include productions of zarzuelas (Spanish operettas) and revues of the favorite songs of Puerto Rico, Cuba, México and Spain. He spearheaded Repertorio's extensive touring activities, which have included tours to Cuba, Central and South America and Spain, as well as cities throughout the United States. Mr. Zaldívar's work has been recognized by audiences, critics and peers alike through awards including Obie, Drama Desk, and the New York State Governor's Awards as well as numerous HOLA (Hispanic Organization of Latin Actors) and ACE (Association of Hispanic Theater Critics) Awards. Most recently, Mr. Zaldívar– along with René Buch– received TCG's (Theater Communications Group) 2008 Practitioner Award and an ENCORE Award from the Arts and Business Council of New York for Excellence in Arts Management in 2007.

In addition to his activities at Repertorio Español, Mr. Zaldívar served on advisory panels for the National Endowment for the Arts and the New York State Council on the Arts. He also served as a Board Member of the Alliance of Resident Theatres of New York, the Arts and Business Council, the Association of Hispanic Arts and Theatre Development Fund.

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PARA DIFUSIÓN INMEDIATA
CONTACTO: JOSÉ ANTONIO CRUZ, REPERTORIO ESPAÑOL
Tel. (212) 225-9955 | jcruz@repertorio.org
Manhattan, Nueva York, EE.UU.
Miércoles, 7 de octubre de 2009

Gilberto Zaldívar, Presidente Fundador y Productor Emeritus de la aclamada compañía teatral Repertorio Español de Nueva York, falleció ayer, martes 6 de octubre de 2009 a las 5:30pm en su apartamento en el vecindario de Gramercy en Manhattan, Nueva York. La causa de la muerte fue complicaciones por la Enfermedad de Cuerpos de Lewy (Lewy Body Disease) que padecía desde el 2005. Tenía 75 años de edad y le sobreviven su hermana Nancy Zaldívar, su compañero Robert Weber Federico y su amigo y co-fundador de Repertorio Español, René Buch.

Gilberto Zaldívar co-fundó la compañía teatral Repertorio Español de Nueva York junto a René Buch en el 1968 y fungió como su Productor Ejecutivo hasta el 2005 cuando se vio forzado a retirarse por motivos de salud. Zaldívar fue un incansable y apasionado productor que convirtió a Repertorio Español en la más importante compañía teatral hispana de los Estados Unidos. A través de casi cuatro decadas de una dedicación incondicional, Zaldívar produjo cientos de obras teatrales de decenas de países latinoamericanos; estableció una compañía de cientos de talentosos actores y actrices; colaboró con directores de Cuba, Puerto Rico, Colombia, Argentina, México, Brazil y España; presentó en Nueva York a la bailarina de flamenco y danza española, Pilar Rioja; realizó giras a través de latinoamerica, España y los EE.UU.; recaudó millones de dólares en contribuciones para el teatro y empleó a cientos de artistas de todas las naciones iberoamericanas.

Gilberto Zaldívar es recordado como un generoso y carismástico profesional por todos los que trabajaron con él. Sus esfuerzos aún marcan las vidas de los miles de estudiantes y adultos que visitan Repertorio Español cada año para presenciar la magia del teatro en el idioma español y de obras que no se presentan en ningún otro lugar de los EE.UU.

René Buch, Director Artístico de Repertorio Español expresó que “Ayer, el mundo de las artes perdió a uno de sus más grandes empresarios. Un hombre que enfrentó los retos y cuya visión y pasión posicionaron las grandes riquezas de la cultura iberoamericana a la vanguardia del teatro estadounidense. Gilberto fue mi crítico más exigente, el colega más allegado y que más me ayudó en mi carrera y un amigo de una lealtad infalible. Su partida deja un gran vacío en mi corazón y en los corazones de toda la familia de Repertorio Español.”

Se efectuará un homenaje y celebración de su vida el viernes 9 de octubre de 2009 desde las 2pm hasta las 10pm en Repertorio Español localizado en el 138 Este de la Calle 27 en Manhattan, Nueva York (entre las Avenidas Lexington y Tercera).

Los familiares han solicitado que no se envíen flores y que en vez se haga una donación al Gilberto Zaldívar Memorial Endowment Fund para apoyar la misión de Repertorio Español. Las contribuciones se pueden hacer con un cheque a nombre del Gilberto Zaldívar Memorial Endowment Fund y enviados a Repertorio Español: 138 East 27th Street, New York, NY 10016 USA.

BIOGRAFíA COMPLETA, GILBERTO ZALDÍVAR:
Gilberto Zaldívar nació en Deleyte, Cuba en 1934. Sus padres eran dueños de una bodega en esta ciudad del oriente de la isla. Su pasión por las artes teatrales comenzó como un pasatiempo en su Cuba natal. Zaldívar trabajaba para la compañía Goodrich Industrial Products cuando co-fundó el Teatro Arlequín en La Habana, Cuba, un teatro de 199 butacas que presentaba obras contemporáneas. Zaldívar se trasladó a Nueva York en 1961 cuando tenía 27 años de edad dónde rápidamente se integró al campo de la contabilidad corporativa y fue nombrado Gerente de Cuentas de Diner's Club justo antes de comprometerse a trabajar a tiempo completo en el campo del teatro.

En 1966 se asoció con Stella Holt y Frances Drucker del Teatro Greenwich Mews el cual era reconocido por sus producciones de teatro escrito por autores de la comunidad afroamericana y de grupos minoritarios. En 1967, Zaldívar se convirtió en co-productor con Drucker y juntos presentaron obras de Langston Hughes, René Marqués y Alice Childress al igual que producciones en español de Yerma de Federico García Lorca y La Celestina de Fernando de Rojas. En 1968 Zaldívar co-fundó Repertorio Español junto a René Buch. Como Productor Ejecutivo de Repertorio Español, Zaldívar introdujo al público y la comunidad teatral neoyorquina a obras de dramaturgos españoles, como Calderón de La Barca, Tirso de Molina y Federico García Lorca; autores contemporáneos de los EE.UU. y Latinoamérica como Ernesto Caballero, Emilio Carballido, Isaac Chocrón, Nilo Cruz, Gabriel García Márquez, Jacobo Langsner, Eduardo Machado, Luis Rafael Sánchez y Mario Vargas Llosa. Zaldívar produjo los estrenos mundiales de obras como Café con leche de Gloria González, La gringa de Carmen Rivera y La cándida Eréndira de García Márquez; el estreno en Nueva York de El público de García Lorca y el estreno mundial en español de Ana en el trópico, la obra ganadora del Premio Pulitzer de Drama del cubano-americano Nilo Cruz. Su compromiso con la misión de Repertorio Español le abrió camino a la Compañía a convertirse en el teatro de habla hispana más reconocido y respetado de los EE.UU. y el único en operar en un genuino formato de repertorio.

En 1973, comenzó su colaboración con Pilar Rioja, la reconocida bailarina flameco y danza española y desde entonces produjo todos sus espectáculos en los EE.UU. por más de 25 años consecutivos. En 1980 presentó por primera vez una obra de teatro musical en Repertorio Español con una versión en español de Los fantásticos la cual también representó a los EE.UU. en una gira a través de latinoamérica auspiciada por la Agencia de Información de los EE.UU. El éxito de esta producción trajo consigo la producción de zarzuelas y revistas de las canciones favoritas de Puerto Rico, Cuba, México y España. Zaldívar coordinó numerosas giras a países de Centro y Sudamérica, España y muchísimas ciudades de los EE.UU. Su gran labor ha sido aplaudida por el público, críticos y colegas por igual. Gracias a sus esfuerzos, Repertorio Español ha recibido premios Obie, Drama Desk, un premio del Gobernador del Estado de Nueva York y numerosos premios HOLA (Organización Hispana de Actores Latinos) y ACE (Asociación de Cronistas de Espectáculos). En el 2007 Zaldívar y sus colegas René Buch y Robert Federico recibieron el premio ENCORE por Excelencia en Administración de Artes otorgado por el Concejo de Artes y Negocios de Nueva York (Arts & Business Council) y en el 2008 el premio Theater Practitioner otorgado por la organización TCG (Theater Communications Group) la cual representa a los teatros sin fines de lucro de los EE.UU.

Además de sus labores con Repertorio Español, Zaldívar trabajó como voluntario en los paneles de evaluación del National Endowment for the Arts y el New York State Council on the Arts. Además fungió como miembro de las juntas directivas de la Alianza de Teatros de Nueva York (Alliance of Resident Theatres of New York), el Concilio de Artes y Negocios de Nueva York (New York Arts & Business Council), la Asociación de Artes Hispanas (Association of Hispanic Arts) y el Fondo de Desarrollo Teatral (Theatre Development Fund).

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Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Another loss to the HOLA family

Dear members and friends of HOLA,

It is with great sadness that we must inform you of the passing of Francisco Gutiérrez Rivela, Chairman of the Board of HOLA.

Francisco died suddenly and unexpectedly last Tuesday evening from cardiac arrest. He died as he lived, with intensity and passion.

As you all know, Francisco was an incomparable force in the Spanish language media and arts as an actor, director, writer and announcer. He was hugely influential and dedicated to all aspects of HOLA throughout the years. We hope that his many colleagues continue his efforts to help preserve this great organization.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to HOLA.

Sincerely,
Dr. Alina Segura-Bustamante
Raquel Rivela
Alex Segura

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

HOLA Member Bochinche

Bochinche refers to "gossip." In this sense, we use it to mention HOLA members who are getting acting gigs.

Jean-Marc Berne booked a print ad for Aetna, recorded voiceovers in Spanish, French and Haitian Creole (kréyol), was hired to translate a Spanish audiobook (as well as doing the narrate one of the roles in English and Spanish), and voiced a role in an interactive video game.

Edouard de Soto, shown at left, booked a print job thanks to an HOLA referral.

Gilbert Cruz, shown below, can be seen on bus shelters all over New York in a print ad for Tylenol.

If you are an HOLA member and want to submit a bochinche item, send us an e-mail at holagram@hellohola.org. If you are not an HOLA member, why not join?

Monday, September 21, 2009

HOLA Member Bochinche

Bochinche refers to "gossip." In this sense, we use it to mention HOLA members who are getting acting gigs.

Lina Sarrello's play Life Could Be Un Sueño will have a workshop production at Teatro LA TEA located in the Clemente Soto Vélez Cultural and Educational Center (home to HOLA) in Manhattan's Loisaida neighborhood. Directed by Sarrello, the play is scheduled for an October run features Michelle Concha, Vivian Fusaro Ramos, Mauricio Leyton, Lisette Medina, María Rivera and Melody Rose Vendrell in the cast.

Teatro PinPuppets is scheduled to present Montesco y su Señora by José Martínez Queirolo. Directed by José Ignacio Vivero, the play features Edison Carrera and Cecill Villar and is scheduled for an October run in The Poet's Den Theater in Manhattan's El Barrio neighborhood.

Laura Patalano appears in the short film Mariachi (directed by Elena Greenlee) will screen at the Urbanworld Film Festival in New York City in late September.

Doreen Montalvo is the latest performer to be presented as part of Voices from the Great White Way Series. Currently on Broadway in the hit musical In the Heights, she is presenting her cabaret show I've Just Got To Sing My Song at the famed Laurie Beechman Theater in the theater district of midtown Manhattan for an October engagement.

If you are an HOLA member and want to submit a bochinche item, send us an e-mail at holagram@hellohola.org. If you are not an HOLA member, why not join?

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

HOLA Member Bochinche

Bochinche refers to "gossip." In this sense, we use it to mention HOLA members who are getting acting gigs.

Modesto Lacén, Laura Butler and Jorge Dieppa star in Salsa gorda. Written by José Luis Ramos Escobar and directed by Mario Colón, the play features choreography by Luis Salgado and is to take place at Pregones Theater in the Mott Haven section of the South Bronx.

Teatro Tocando Puertas is presenting José Martínez Queirolo's Cuestión de vida o muerte. Directed by Iván Argudo, the production is taking place to celebrate the life of the author (who recently passed) and as the company's entry in the ninth annual Candilejas Festival. The show will take place at the Poet's Den Theater in Manhattan's El Barrio neighborhood and features Edison Carrera, Franco Galecio and Carla Tacle in the cast.

Also at the ninth annual Candilejas Festival will be Mi mujer es el plomero. A co-production between E3Outlaws Productions and Teatro Las Tablas, the play is written by Hugo Marcos, directed by Enmanuel García, will take place at the Poet's Den Theater in Manhattan's El Barrio neighborhood, and features García, Silvia Tovar and Ydaiber Orozco in the cast.

Glady K. Nilsen
e-mailed us to tell us that she booked a new media industrial project entitled Language Mate with Transcendent International. Filmed in the telenovela style, it will be used to help doctors attend to Latino patients who do not speak English. She played the role of a patient who had suffered a cerebral hemorrhage. In addition, she booked a 1 (800) CANTASO commercial and has sung with the workshop "The Singing Experience" at The Triad Theater in the West Side of Manhattan.

If you are an HOLA member and want to submit a bochinche item, send us an e-mail at holagram@hellohola.org. If you are not an HOLA member, why not join?

Friday, September 11, 2009

HOLA Member Bochinche

Bochinche refers to "gossip." In this sense, we use it to mention HOLA members who are getting acting gigs.

Ydaiber Orozco, at left, sent us an e-mail to tell us that "thanks to HOLA, I received a call from a casting director who saw my photo in the [HOLA online directory]. I then auditioned and booked the job as the Symbicort website spokesperson in Spanish. Thank you, HOLA!"

María Teresa Silva, at right, also e-mailed us to say she booked a role on a telenovela pilot after reading about it on one of our HOLA casting notices. She writes, "It was truly a very nice experience. Everyone demonstrated professionalism. Once again, thank you. Your organization is great!"

Bárbara Bonilla, at left, booked a Bristol-Myers Squibb pamphlet shoot after being spotted on the HOLA online director by a casting director.

Jean-Marc Berne recorded a voiceovers in Spanish for Touchstone Health, National Fair Housing Alliance (which he also got to co-produce) McDonald's and Intermart (the last for the Dominican Republic market); an English medical narration for Cryptom; and a voiceover in Haitian Creole (kreyól) for Western Union.

Bernardo Cubría and Luis Vega headline the cast of José Rivera's Boleros for the Disenchanted. Directed by Bruce Miller, the play is being produced by and at Barksdale Theater in Richmond, Virginia.

Repertorio Español is opening its new season with a musical adpatation of Mario Vargas Llosa's Pantaleón y sus visitadoras. Directed by Jorge Alí Triana, it has a book and lyrics by Triana and Verónica Triana and music by Grammy nominee Andrés Cabas. The cast includes The production counts with a stellar cast that includes 2009 HOLA Award recipients Denise Quiñones, Selenis Leyva, Marcelo Rodríguez, Modesto Lacén, Zulema Clares and Sunilda Caraballo (who is also doing the choreography); Anthony Álvarez, Silvia Sierra, Ricardo Barber, Raúl Durán, Mónica Pérez Brandes, Ricardo Hinoa, Yanko Bakulic, Eric Robledo and Jessica Florí and the production is set to premiere in October 2009 at Repertorio's eponymous theater located in the Rose Hill section of Manhattan.

Emilio Delgado, along with the rest of the cast of the PBS program "Sesame Street," received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Daytime Emmys. He followed this up with a gig singing with the band Pink Martini at the famed Hollywood Bowl in California.

If you are an HOLA member and want to submit a bochinche item, send us an e-mail at holagram@hellohola.org. If you are not an HOLA member, why not join?