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
###

Where are you from?
Lynchburg, Virginia (named for John Lynch – thank you)

What is your history with Salsation?
I started with Salsa-sketch 2009 and followed it with Ctrl.Alt.Deport! I’m very happy to be back for a third show!

What got you started in comedy?
When I was 6, I told a knock knock joke and someone laughed. From then on, I learned every knock knock joke I could and told them all. I even know how to make them up on the spot!

What attracted you to the idea of a gay sketch show?
There’s a lot of struggles the gay community faces these days, I wanted an opportunity to make light of some issues and have fun with stereotypes.

If you could work with any comedian, who would it be?
I’d love to work with Jon Stewart – he’s just a genius. What else can I say?

What do you hope our audience walks away feeling after the show?
I just hope people come away feeling good and realizing that we’re all one…or some sappy thing like that!

What’s your favorite sketch in It Takes A Village People?
I’m partial to the one about a couple of gay guys moving in to a new neighborhood and the panic it causes for their neighbors.

What does the future hold in store for you?
Love, laughter, learning…

What’s your history with Salsation?

I could tell you the looooong story, but really it’s because I like to talk! I grew up in a very colorful home and thanks to my mom and her storytelling, I inherited the gift of gab, which always got me a check mark in grammar school on my report cards. Teachers out there don’t suppress, encourage!

But really I’m lucky…I like to make people laugh, my mom is a great storyteller…I dunno, maybe it’s in the genes.

What got you started in comedy?

I was working on a bit role in an independent movie where all I did was make a silly face…I completed one shot and they asked me to be in another, then another then another. The director told me “don’t ever let anyone tell you that you’re not funny, you’re f*ckin’ funny!”

What does the future hold in store for you?

Reading, writing, video games….maybe a vacation…

If you could be meet any famous person, past or present, who would it be and why?

Pee-Wee Herman…I think some of my quirky habits on stage come from being influenced by his movies and TV shows in the 80′s…and I like to scream real loud!

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!