CASA 0101 Theater Presents The World Premiere of REMEMBERING BOYLE HEIGHTS Created and Devised by JOSEFINA LOPEZ, CORKY DOMINGUEZ AND THE ENSEMBLE CAST OF THE SHOW Directed by CORKY DOMINGUEZ WHO & WHAT: The venerable playwright Josefina López is will be tapping into new ground as a writer with her latest collaborative work, the World Premiere of REMEMBERING BOYLE HEIGHTS, an audience participatory, immersive and theatrical celebration, created and devised by Josefina López, Corky Dominguez and the REMEMBERING BOYLE HEIGHTS Ensemble. Contemporary gentrification debates unlock the early history, stories and memories of Boyle Heights revealing the mythical and human dimensions of L.A.’s own Ellis Island of the West. Under the direction Corky Domingue, the Ensemble Cast will include: Michael Berckart, Joe Luis Cedillo, José Alejandro Hernandez Jr., Yvette Karla Herrera, Ángel Michel Juárez, Megumi Kabe, Marcel Licera, Jackie Marriott, Roberta H. Martínez, Allyson Taylor and Raymond Watanga. Concurrently with the run of REMEMBERING BOYLE HEIGHTS, the Boyle Heights Museum will display an exhibit titled, ROYBAL: A Multi-Racial Catalyst for Democracy, November 11, 2018 – February 3, 2019 in the Jean Deleage Gallery, located in the lobby of CASA 0101 Theater. The Boyle Heights Museum was co-founded by Josefina López and Dr. George J. Sanchez, a USC Professor of History and American Studies. Please visit www.BoyleHeightsMuseum.org for more details. This production, in part, is made possible through CASA 0101 Theater sponsors including: Eastside Arts Initiative; Department of Cultural Affairs, City of Los Angeles; The California Endowment; Los Angeles County Arts Commission and The Herb Alpert Foundation. WHERE: The Main Stage at CASA 0101 Theater, 2102 East First Street (at Louis Street) across the street from the Hollenbeck Police Station, Boyle Heights, CA 90033. WHEN & HOW: Discounted Preview Performances for $10.00 per person will be presented on Friday and Saturday, November 2 and 3, 2018 with a Pre-Shows starting at 7:45 p.m. and on Sunday, November 4, 2018 with a Pre-Show starting at 4:45 p.m. The show will be presented for a six-week run from November 9 – December 16, 2018 on Fridays and Saturdays starting with Pre-Shows at 7:45 p.m. and Sundays starting with Pre-Shows at 4:45 p.m. There will be on performance on Friday, November 23, 2018 in observance of Thanksgiving. Panel Discussions to be announced will be held after select performances of the show as well. Tickets during the six-week run are $20 per person for General Admission; $17 per person for Students and Seniors; and $15 per person for Boyle Heights residents. Discounts for Groups of 10 or more will be available at $15 per person. This show is recommended for all audiences. Advance reservations are highly recommended. Free Parking is available on several streets surrounding the theatre. Free Parking is also available on Fridays and Saturdays only at the Boyle Heights City Hall Parking Lot located at 2130 East First Street (at Chicago Street) by entering the lot from Chicago Street; the lot is closed on Sundays. For tickets, please call the CASA 0101 Theater Box Office at 323-263-7684, E-mail tickets@casa0101.org, or buy online at www.casa0101.org. The show runs 90 minutes without intermission. Join the conversation on Facebook @CASA0101Theater; on Twitter @CASA0101 and on YouTUBE at https://www.youtube.com/user/casa0101theater
Remembering Boyle Heights
Reviews
I was educated in learning that the history of Boyle Heights included other ethnic groups besides the expected Latino community, such as the Jewish people, the Filipinos, and Afro Americans for example. And some of the universal problems that the community has had to deal with are still prevalent today.
In addition to sharp writing, Dominguez's direction transports audience members back in time. César Retana-Holguín's simple set, complete with a few purposely askew pieces of art reflecting historical buildings, along with Masha Tatarinsteva's projection design was enough to paint a portrait of a town one may find themselves wishing to have grown up in by the end of the evening.
The actors are committed, infectiously enthusiastic, and a little rough around the edges, just as they should be.
So while, when viewed as purely theatre, there were some minor structural and performance problems, those faded into insignificance when compared to the message and the story that was being told. Los Angeles does have a racist history that must not be forgotten, but it also has a rich and diverse multicultural story to tell — a story of different cultures coming together in communities like Lincoln Heights, Boyle Heights, Watts, Inglewood, Pacoima, Arleta — working class communities where it was hard work that mattered. As an (amateur) LA historian, this show was a pure delight. As someone with a connection to Boyle Heights, … well, it was even better. [...] If you are a lover of Los Angeles, and especially if you love Los Angeles history, this is the show for you.
A surefire conversation starter, Remembering Boyle Heights serves as both a reminder of L.A.'s fascinating if all too forgotten past and a call to keep its many communities alive and thriving.
I was educated in learning that the history of Boyle Heights included other ethnic groups besides the expected Latino community, such as the Jewish people, the Filipinos, and Afro Americans for example. And some of the universal problems that the community has had to deal with are still prevalent today.
In addition to sharp writing, Dominguez's direction transports audience members back in time. César Retana-Holguín's simple set, complete with a few purposely askew pieces of art reflecting historical buildings, along with Masha Tatarinsteva's projection design was enough to paint a portrait of a town one may find themselves wishing to have grown up in by the end of the evening.
The actors are committed, infectiously enthusiastic, and a little rough around the edges, just as they should be.
So while, when viewed as purely theatre, there were some minor structural and performance problems, those faded into insignificance when compared to the message and the story that was being told. Los Angeles does have a racist history that must not be forgotten, but it also has a rich and diverse multicultural story to tell — a story of different cultures coming together in communities like Lincoln Heights, Boyle Heights, Watts, Inglewood, Pacoima, Arleta — working class communities where it was hard work that mattered. As an (amateur) LA historian, this show was a pure delight. As someone with a connection to Boyle Heights, … well, it was even better. [...] If you are a lover of Los Angeles, and especially if you love Los Angeles history, this is the show for you.
A surefire conversation starter, Remembering Boyle Heights serves as both a reminder of L.A.'s fascinating if all too forgotten past and a call to keep its many communities alive and thriving.