Artes de la Rosa Reels in 11 New Fish in 12 Chairs; Announces Big Fish 12 Chairs Version

Artes de la Rosa is proud to announce principle casting for the Artes de la Rosa production of BIG FISH: 12

Chairs Version receiving its first North Texas staging this March. The cast features 11 Artes de la Rosa stage debuts for this new musical based on the novel by Daniel Wallace and the Columbia Motion Picture directed by Tim Burton. “This is terribly thrilling for our company to have so many new faces on stage as part of the Artes family,” said Artistic Director Adam Adolfo. He and Kristin Spires, who previously collaborated on the North Texas premiere of In the Heights, as well as productions of Into the Woods and Man of La Mancha reunite as Producer/Director and Musical Director, respectively. Serving as Choreographer is Austin Ray Beck whose work was last seen at the Rose Marine Theatre, Artes de la Rosa’s home, in Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet.

Leading the cast is Artes de la Rosa veteran Joshua Sherman in the role of Edward Bloom, a man whose stories spring forth from his imagination and color the lives of his friends and family. You may remember Joshua from his turns on the Rose Marine stage in starring roles in The Fifth Sun (The Colornel), In the Heights (Benny), Into the Woods (The Baker), and Twelfth Night (Sir Toby). Joshua, a former member of The Louis Zapata Resident Acting Company, has been seen throughout North Texas with Casa Manana, Lyric Stage, and Theatre Arlington.

            “The production team and I are so excited to have Joshua back on our stage leading this infectiously joyful score with a cast full of charismatic company debuts. Joshua brings a beautiful and dramatic musical voice and spirit to the stage that has thrilled audiences for years at the Rose Marine Theatre.  His passion, skill, and charm are what will make his Edward Bloom the living breathing larger than life storyteller that has captured audiences hearts on Broadway and film.” offers Artistic Director Adam Adolfo.

Joining Mr. Sherman on the Rose Marine stage are 11 Artes de la Rosa debuts including Lauren Kane as his wife Sandra, Jonathan Hardin as their son, Will, and Emma Leigh Montes as Will’s wife, Josephine. Populating the colorful cast of characters is Emily Warwick as the witch, Domanick Hubbard as Carl the Giant, and Todd Camp as Circus owner Amos. The cast also includes Matthew Smith (Dr. Bennett), Dusty Farmer & Jakeb Lowery (the Price Brothers), Fatima Rodriguez (Jenny Hill), and Tori Hoffmeister (The Girl in the Water).

Production begins March 4th at the Rose Marine Theater in Fort Worth for a strictly limited 3 week engagement. Additional casting for the musical will be forthcoming.

    

ABOUT BIG FISH: TWELVE CHAIRS VERSION

BIG FISH 12 Chairs is the new, intimate version of the Broadway musical featuring music and lyrics by Tony nominee Andrew Lippa (The Addams Family, The Wild Party) and a new book by esteemed screenwriter John August (Big Fish, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory). Based on the celebrated novel by Daniel Wallace and the acclaimed film directed by Tim Burton, BIG FISH centers on Edward Bloom, a traveling salesman who lives life to its fullest… and then some! Edward's incredible, larger-than-life stories thrill everyone around him – most of all, his devoted wife Sandra. But their son Will, about to have a child of his own, is determined to find the truth behind his father’s epic tales. Overflowing with heart, humor and spectacular stagecraft, BIG FISH is an extraordinary new Broadway musical that reminds us why we love going to the theatre – for an experience that's richer, funnier and BIGGER than life itself.

TICKET INFORMATION

BIG FISH runs Friday March 4 and plays Thursdays 7:30 pm, Fridays & Saturdays at 8:00 pm. There will be a single Sunday Matinee on March 20 at 3:00 pm.  General Admission tickets are $16 for adults and $12 for students, teachers, & seniors. Tickets will go on sale on February 4. For tickets or more information, call the Rose Marine Theater Box Office at (817) 624-8333.  Special ticket prices are available for groups of 10 or more. Tickets can be purchased online at www.artesdelarosa.org.   

Joshua Sherman stars as Edward Bloom in the Artes de la Rosa production of
BIG FISH 12 Chairs Version this March at the Rose Marine Theater.

ABOUT ARTES DE LA ROSA CULTURAL CENTER FOR THE ARTS

Artes de la Rosa is dedicated to preserving, promoting, and interpreting the art, lives, and history of Latino culture for all.

Artes de la Rosa tours Latin American Countries with 2015 Season dedicated to the Rhythm of Latin America

Artes de la Rosa

Cultivates the 2015 Season of Cultural Events With

RITMO: Rhythm of the People

 

 

In its ongoing mission to bring Latin art & culture to the North Texas Community, Artes de la Rosa’s Artistic Director Adam Adolfo has designed a season to bring to the Rose Marine Theater for the 2015 calendar a season programs that he calls “RITMO: Rhythm of the People.”

When you stop to consider Latin people on the whole, we are an extremely musical and vibrant community. If you’ve ever talked to a “Spanish Mom” you know we don’t just talk with our voices, we sing! Simple conversation turns into dueling arias, not only with words but our hands, and certainly our hearts. The common denominator amongst the diverse Latin cultures of the world is music!

“Twelfth Night is Shakespeare’s most musical play and I’m anxious to provide it the excitement of the Samba beat,” says Adam Adolfo. Inspired by Baz Lurhman’s film Moulin Rouge and the musical episode of tv’s Grey’s Anatomy, Adolfo notes that he’s venturing into new territory. “It’s exciting to do something new and different. As theatre makers, if we are not ambitiously trying to break new ground, we might as well just give up.” New and different is certainly the Artistic Directors style and he’s promising that with creative reimagining of Man of La Mancha. “I’m not ready to let the cat out of the bag yet on that show, but I will say that I was inspired by Dallas Theatre Center’s production of Les Miserables. It was daring, provocative, and inspiring… it inspired me to look for another musical that should be seen with fresh eyes. So I dug deep into Man of La Mancha’s book and found a new way to look at the material that excites me to no end. It will definitely be like no production you’ve seen before.”

 

TWELFTH NIGHT

A Musical Comedy Carnival
February 13th – March 1st

Adapted from Shakespeare and Directed by Adam Adolfo

Musical Director: Kristin Spires
Choreographer: Maegan Marie Stewart

What do Gloria Estefan, Enrique Iglesias, Shakira, and Shakespeare have in common? Twelfth Night! Amid the costumes, confetti, and chaos of Rio’s carnival, 4 young lovers unlock the secrets of their hearts while donning disguises, exchanging kisses, and surrendering to the rhythm of carnival’s samba beat. Transport yourself to the golden sunlight of Rio’s beaches as you holiday by the sea in this deliriously romantic comedy filled with, sun and sand, melancholy and madness,  comedy and chaos… all over flowing with a feast of songs that will leave your heart lighter and your family closer. Adapted by Artistic Director Adam Adolfo, the combination of Latin flavor and Shakespeare’s words mean that “The Rhythm is gonna get ya!”

PERUVIAN FILM FESTIVAL

In collaboration with the Consulate General of Peru
TENTATIVE: March 20th – 22nd

Artes de la Rosa in collaboration with the Consulate General of Peru in Dallas to bring a three day film festival celebrating contemporary Peruvian Filmmaking. All four films are in Spanish with English subtitles.

DIA DE LOS NINOS

In collaboration with the Artes Academy Parents Guild
April 25th

Artes de la Rosa and Artes Academy Parent’s Guild present this festival to give families a free, bilingual event that join everyone together in a day of learning, interactive activities designed to stimulate creativity while bringing joy. Join us for performances, crafts, face painters, food and so much more at our afternoon event!

MAN OF LA MANCHA

The Musical
May 15th – 31st

Written by Dale Wasserman
Music by Mitch Leigh & Lyrics by Joe Darion

Directed by Adam Adolfo

Musical Director: Kristin Spires
Choreographer: Maegan Marie Stewart

A thrilling new production of one of the best loved musicals, Man of La Mancha vividly imagines Don Quixote through the life of the great Spanish novelist Miguel de Cervantes. The musical moves seamlessly between realities and Cervantes’s own outsized imagination, where his noble idealism finds expression in his great literary creation, Don Quixote.  With a heartfelt score that includes the worldwide hit “The Impossible Dream” – Man of La Mancha is a testament to the triumph of the human spirit. His dream is Everyman’s dream. His tilting at windmills is Everyman’s great adventure. Somehow, the footlights disappear, time is telescoped and the Man of La Mancha speaks for humankind remaining with your soul well after the shows final bow. Dare to dream the impossible!

 
GOLDEN AGE OF MEXICAN CINEMA
In collaboration with the Consulate General of Mexico
September 18th – 20th

Celebrating our roots as a movie house, Artes de la Rosa proudly screens films from the history of the Rose Marine Theater. In conjunction with the Mexican Consulate, Artes de la Rosa screens films from the Mexican Golden Age of Cinema featuring Spanish speaking stars Pedro Infante, Dolores Del Rio, Maria Felix, and Cantinflas! Check out the art gallery while you’re here and experience a piece of the Rose Marine Theater’s fantastic history!

 

DIA DE LOS MUERTOS

October 31st

Celebrate Dia de los Muertos with our annual celebration featuring a drum and puppet procession from Marine Park to the Rose Marine Theater Plaza. Complete with music, dancing, face painting and pan de muerto, this family event is a perfect way to celebrate the rich Mexican culture.

 

MARIACHI CHRISTMAS

Friday December 11th

The traditions continue at Artes de la Rosa with the sounds of the season! Get into the true spirit of the holiday season this year with your family with A MARIACHI CHRISMAST at the Rose Marine Theater on Friday December 11th. With the sounds of traditional mariachis you can ring in Christmas and the New Year with a certain Latin flair.

About Artes de la Rosa

Artes de la Rosa is dedicated to preserving, promoting, and interpreting the art, lives, and history of Latino culture for all.

Nice is Different then Good: A Moment in the Woods with Taylor Wallis

I played Little Red Riding Hood in Into the Woods once before. I was 17-years-old. I remember the director delicately trying to explain to me just exactly WHAT my storyline was really all about. I remember understanding, to a point, but never fully grasping what is REALLY going on here. What 17-year-old me thought was just a story teaching us the importance of not “straying from the path,” has turned into a story that 25-year-old me can really learn from.

 

Little Red Riding Hood starts out with a child-like innocence and naivety that is almost endearing, if not a little annoying. She encounters people and situations that force her to look at herself in a new way and therefore have a new attitude and way of living. Some of the things she experiences (I’ll let you come see the show to find out just what I’m talking about…) she enjoys (perhaps a little too much) and they help her grow positively into the young woman she becomes. But then some things she has to deal with (death, loneliness, fear) she doesn’t enjoy as much.

 

This is where I started to find the story interesting and relatable. A LOT of the things that happen to her and every other character in this musical are awful and unthinkable. But each character comes out at the end pretty scarred, but ok; and has a lot more knowledge than they did before. I have heard people refer to life as a “journey” and every event that happens to you, good or bad, is a piece of your journey. You are ultimately headed to where you are supposed to be. Each piece of the journey is getting you there; and though you may not realize it at the time, sometimes the worst parts get you to the best places. You have to learn to trust your journey. I think that shines though in Into the Woods, and I think the idea of finding your way through what can seem like an impossible journey at times, and coming out at the end stronger than before, is what makes this musical so beautiful and one of my absolute favorites.

Taylor Wallis with Alden Bowers Price & Joshua Sherman
in rehearsal for Into the Woods

 

Little Red is a lot like all of us growing up. She’s skipping nicely along her path and then BOOM one day 'life' messes everything up. She deals with a lot. She learns a lot. But at the end of the story, she is surrounded by people who love her and has a new sense of who she is.

 

I am so excited for the opportunity to take another look at this role and entire show as an adult, especially which such a talented cast around me. This was an intimidating company to step into (I mean, who in DFW DIDN’T hear about In the Heights??), but it was also an exciting new step. As Little Red says, “scary IS exciting!” And I’m very glad for this piece of my journey. 

Pushing the Reset Button on Cinderella: A Fairy Tale Princes gets a make over with Natalie Coca

Today we spend a few minutes with Natalie Coca who is returning to the Rose Marine Theater's stage after last years flawlessly delivered performance of Carla in the regional premiere of In the Heights! This season she takes the stage in a flashy pair of shoes as everyone's favorite princess, Cinderella.

 

 



"Not making a decision *is* making a decision." -?

 

"What good are dreams without action?" -?

I’ve always struggled to find a way to relate to Cinderella, probably because in the Disney version she was a whiney twig who clearly lacked self-worth and needed someone to save her. (First her fairy God mother swoops in, then her prince). It always pains me to see men and women who value themselves so little... but well that’s another story never mind. ;)

Fortunately for me, Sondheim designed this Cinderella to be a tad bit different. Though she struggles to make decisions, and ultimately doesn’t know what she wants, she is driven by an inherent understanding that her life is meant to be so much greater than it is. This Cinderella may not know where she’s going but she knows she’s gotta get the heck out of her stepmother’s house if anything’s going to change! With that being said, once she finally gets her "way out" she is then faced with a series of decisions and consequences she never dreamed she’d face. As the story develops we see that she’s frightened to make decisions, any decisions, for fear of making the wrong ones. In the beginning that drove me nuts! I couldn’t grasp my brain around why someone would just let life pass them by. But then I realized that in not making a decision (i.e. about standing up for herself, about opening up to the prince) she is putting her faith and ultimate decision-making powers in something greater than herself. What a concept. Be that faith in her mother’s guiding spirit, God, the Universe, Cinderella is a good person and knows that life will continue to unravel before her eyes whether or not she takes the lead. It will be liberating at times and painful at others but at least she’s living and it all started with a wish and an action. She could’ve said "I wish to go to the festival", gotten her golden slippers, and then chickened out, but she didn’t; she went. And with that first step she hit the reset button on her life and set it in motion.

 

The funny thing about this Cinderella is that she’s real, she’s scared of making the wrong choices and she’s longing for a life far different from the one she leads… In some ways I think we can all relate, but my question to you is, what are you gonna do about it?

"JUST JACK": A Moment with the youngest cast member, Jeremy Coca

Today we blog with Jeremy Coca. Affectionately deemed 'Baby Coca', Jeremy, as the youngest member of the professional acting company for Into the Woods, plays the dreamer Jack (of Jack and the Beanstalk fame); but this is not Jeremy's first time on the Rose Marine stage. Most people will probably remember him from his wild antics in the youth ensemble of Artes de la Rosa's In The Heights, recently named "Best Show" (Non Equity) in John Garcia's THE COLUMN "Best of Issue."  Spend a moment with Jeremy and find out why Jack is so close to his heart.



Ask anyone who knows me well. I've been asking for a dog ever since I could remember. It started out just wanting a puppy. But then I settled for ANYTHING. My family has never owned any sort of pet. Most of my family is allergic to cats and my parents have always been reluctant to get a dog. I think that's why I've always felt so close to the role of Jack whose cow is his best friend. 

Jeremy backstage at
In the Heights with Pamela
Garcia Langton. The pair are
reunited as Mother & Son in
Into the Woods!

 

Jack has been one of my dream roles to play since I was in 4th grade when my sister, Natalie who plays Cinderella in this production, brought home the DVD from a teacher that had let her borrow it. I remember sitting there, watching the characters and stage come to life, and just seeing it all in amazement. 

 

So you can imagine my excitement when I not only received a callback for the role, but being offered the role! 

 

Words can not amount to the excitement I'm feeling. Even as I write this post! To top it all off? I get to share the stage again with my sister and for the first time in forever my brother, Anthony who plays Rapunzel's Prince, as well. 

 

This really is an incredible show. It says so much and its all so beautiful. Its not just the characters in the show that have their story. This brilliant cast and their backgrounds are just so beautiful and heart warming.

 

And the best part? 

 

THE FACT THAT I'M THE YOUNGEST IN THE SHOW! 

 

Its so great, working with such a talented cast, and absorbing all that his being given. I just recently turned 17 and being cast in this show is the best birthday present I could have ever received. Being a high schooler and having this be a part of my life is just unbelievable. I am so blessed.

Everything I Needed to KNOW ABOUT Life

I Learned From

 

You’ve Got To Clear Out The Negative Energy - Daniela

Aigner Mathis & Joshua Sherman

Even though I should have learned this earlier in my life, this life lesson is one that I experienced and have come to accept because of the In The Heights FAMILIA. The lesson is how to obtain happiness and even though it may sound simple it is a task to do. I've heard this sort of thing all my life but in the reverse "think positively", "good thoughts breed good energies", "chin up buttercup" and other inspirational cliche-y quotes that you can think of. But never have I had it presented to me such as this: "Cut out the negative in your life." For some reason, phrased like that, my mind could wrap its way around it. I started weeding out the few people in my life who tended to bring me down and in return I found a huge family that supported me when I was down and who lift me up to great Heights (see what I did there?). A wise person once told me: "It is unfair to everyone around you if you are not living for yourself 100%. You want to make others happy? Be yourself and they will be ecstatic to be near you." By cutting out the negativity in my life I gained so much! Happiness. -Joshua Sherman “Benny”

 

Don’t Gossip. It’s a Sin! - Carla

Never be embarrassed about who you are and where you came from. Your story is YOUR story, and although many people have similar experiences, no one in this world will ever live the exact same life as you. Be proud of that.  - Natalie Coca “Carla”

Coffee is best served with a little bit of cinnamon. - Usnavi

Austin Beck, Benicka Grant, & Natalie Coca

I have learned for one, not to take myself too seriously! Being around dancers all the time can be stressful. We , as dancers strive for perfection but in the theater world, it's ok to have fun. Theater people are so much more encouraging and supportive than dancers. We people in this cast say they love you, they mean it. I've also learned that YOU CAN be a part of a cast where everyone gets along with one another. It truly feels like a family and there will never be a cast of people who are even remotely as amazing as these guys are.  -Benicka Grant “Dance Diva”

When You Have A Problem, You Go Home! - Camila

Jeremy Coca & Pamela Langton

Being involved in this amazing show has made me realize that you can never push yourself hard enough. You can always get better and there are people out there to help you along the way. It has also given me new hope that my dreams of being on Broadway or in shows here in Dallas aren’t dead! You are never too old to keep your dreams alive and I will continue to take my voice lessons, keep up my dancing and acting and get out there and audition as much as possible. One last thing, I have learned from this cast, these young people are fierce!!! They have a passion and a light that I want to steal and keep in a jar!!! They have taught me that if you try hard enough, work hard enough, love everyone enough, party enough, you can have it all!!! I want it too and I am going to take a little of all of them with me when this show is over. I love each and every cast member, I never thought that a bond like this was possible but it is. I hope they will never forget me, I know I won’t ever forget them.  -Pamela Langton “Camila Rosario”

“DREAMS COME TRUE…” – Karen Olivo, Original Broadway Vanessa

Natalie Coca, Amanda Williams, Sarah Dickerson

ITH slapped me right across my face. This show and its cast have reminded me what true love of theatre and performing is. Together we transcend the notes on the page and the words in the script. We breathe real life and real emotion into every character. We begin with joined hands and end with joined hands, and through each other we send that love and that energy into each and every heart and soul that sits wide-eyed before us. THIS is how it's supposed be. -Amanda Williams “Daniela”

 

With Patience & Faith, there are 96,000 possibilities! – Abuela Claudia

My life lesson...lord...I feel like being in In The Heights has given me everything. It filled so many voids in my heart. It showed me that I CAN love again, and not romantically, but just love PEOPLE. I am in love with not one person, but with about 25 people and I will never not be. I've gained sisters I've never had, I've gained confidence in myself, in my body, in who I am. Before Heights, I felt I wasn't the kind of person that stood out, or that anyone really cared to know or have around...almost like a throwaway convenience friend. With this cast, I have felt everything I never knew I could feel in my heart. Walls have been torn down by these glorious people and I am forever in debt to their love and graciousness on a daily basis. Like Adam told me before, I sparkle...I SPARKLE. I never thought I sparkled even a bit. But he and everyone involved have convinced me that I do indeed have everything I need inside of me to be wonderful, that I can accomplish anything. My fat (fab) 4...I can't even talk about them without tearing up...what we all have is so special and will always be in my heart forever. Heights has given me back what I had lost in years of heartache and pain and doubt...MYSELF. -Sarah Dickerson “Vanessa”

Barcardi is great to soothe your fear of flying! – Kevin



Aigner Mathis & Mark Quach

What I took away from this show is how important community and family really is. My cast mates are my family. From seeing them every day and carpooling home in the Coca car, every moment with them was special. Also, it's so refreshing being in a cast so energetic and sharing the same passion of the show as I do. Abuela Claudia says "Ay mama, what do you do when your dreams come true?" This show is a dream come true. -Mark Quach

When All Else Fails…Just Breathe! - Nina

In the end, I'm left with memories and broadening my familia. Being in this show, I was reminded that I should live in the now. Focus on what's happening at this moment around you. I'm left remembering the love of a family that I gained along the way.   -Jeremy Coca, “Little Coca”

Alabanza means to raise this thing to God’s face and say Praise to this! - Usnavi

Jordan Ghanbari, Rashard Turley, Aigner Mathis, Rashaun Sibley
& Darren McElroy

I'm going to start this by revealing something that I've held on to this entire production...I had no idea what In The Heights was until I did research for the audition, there, I said it. I know other people were in the same boat, but they got to blog about theirs and turn it into a heartwarming story...this brotha was not afforded the same opportunity. I risked being "that guy" who wasn't knowledgeable about the show and personally, I didn't want to take that risk. My theatre education dealt with learning about more non-musical plays, names like Neil Simon, August Wilson, Harold Pinter, and Christopher Durang were ones that I was accustomed to. I knew about musicals, but I wasn't rocking out to show-tunes in my car, because to me, they had been lacking something, that rawness, that grit, something that I appreciate in old school r&b and neo-soul music...In The Heights brought that for me. Someone can sing the life out of a song, do it technically perfect and you can appreciate their talent, but that doesn't mean you want it playing in on your radio constantly. In The Heights broke down a barrier and opened the door to a new set of eyes, ones who looked at chorus lines and laughed, ones where the the bubble-gum pop sounds just wasn't cutting it. I learned because of this show, musicals have changed forever. Whether this was the mindset of Lin or not, it has come to past and more and more people of this generation are becoming interested in the very thing we all love so very much. I am so thankful that I got the chance to be a part of this show that I've come to enjoy to the fullest and being surrounded by all of you made it that much more of a beautiful thing.  -Darren McElroy, “One Hell of a Right Hook-Just ask Benny”

Remember to tell your family’s story.

 

"Value" is defined in the Merriam Webster dictionary as: relative worth, utility, or importance.
That being said, we all, as human beings, just because of our existence, hold value. But how valuable we actually are however, rarely gets defined. What doing this show has taught me is that all of us, every performer, member of the creative and technical team, every note sung, move danced, and line read, is valuable beyond measure. In this industry, it is very easy to get underestimated, unappreciated. This show, these actors, this theatre, is for the most part, an underdog. A long shot. A 26 person show in the relatively small Rose Marine Theatre of Fort Worth, most of them being novice's to the stage without a professional credit on their resume, trying to pull off one of the most difficult modern musicals of our time, AND being the first professional theatre in the region to do so? Were we crazy? Who expected us to not only pull it off, but to truly produce something that the entire world could be proud of? But, we did it. We succeeded, together. There was struggle, there was anger, there was plenty of doubt, but in the end, we surpassed even our own expectations. Why? Because if there is ANYTHING that "In The Heights" can teach you, is that YOU determine how valuable you are. You determine your worth. The way you treat those around you, and the way they treat you, has the power to make whatever it is you come together to create, miraculous. We are worth the countless rave reviews from the critics, we are worth the endless standing ovations, because we believed we are. We established that that was our worth. Every single one of us has a home, a voice, a dream. We are valuable beyond measure. We are infinite, and now, there's absolutely no doubt about it.  -Matt Ransdell Jr. "Usnavi"

People Come, People Go, But There’s No Place Like Home. - Usnavi

The Friends Who Are Your Family – May Not Always Be Your Friends, But They Will Always Be Your Family.  –Adam Adolfo “The Director”

 

 

Albanza … this #InTheHeightsFW experience

YO! Why is everyone so happy? - Deep thoughts with "Vanessa's" SARAH MARIA DICKERSON

Rashaun Sibley (Sonny) & Me

YO! Why is everyone so happy?

BECAUSE WE’RE ABOUT TO OPEN IN THE HEIGHTS OH MY LORD.

 Since I auditioned for this show, my life has completely changed.

I originally heard about auditions for In The Heights late last year, and I knew ABOUT the show , thought it could be fun, but didn’t think I really stood a chance to be in it. I mean, its about Washington Heights...the barrio! I thought nah…I could not fit any role in that show.

Now, I AM ¼ Mexican (which I am very proud of) but I never thought of it as my ethnicity. My mom doesn’t speak Spanish, I barely ever see my grandma and when I do, the only Spanish she speaks is when she’s ordering at a Mexican restaurant. So, when my best friend Michael Sylvester told me I should audition I was like…whaaaaaat. What part could I possibly play? He told me to look up all of the songs for Nina, especially Breathe. I was like, really? He said trust me, it IS you. I went home, listened to Breathe, and sobbed for a good 20 minutes listening to it on repeat. It pretty much summed up what happened to me 6 years prior when I left college in Manhattan and had to come home after a semester…I felt like a complete failure and that I had let everyone down. I quickly became VERY attached to the part. I learned all of Nina’s songs, and had planned to audition for the show.



"Little Coca" and me!

Soon, I became very caught up in other shows I was doing, so Heights moved to the back of my brain. Then, I remember one night after a show of myFootloose, Adam, our Heights director, coming up to me in the greeting line and handing me his card, saying he wanted me to come audition for In The Heights. I was so excited that he had noticed me, so I made plans in my head to set up an audition time. BUT of course, soon I was once again caught up in the NEXT show, Thoroughly Modern Millie. I was TIRED at that point yall. T-I-R-E-D. I knew I needed to take a break. So, in a bold move, I said what the hell and cut my hair into the short bob needed for that character. Then, one night again – Adam is at Millie. I think oh no…I didn’t ever sign up to audition…and I really don’t have any plans to sign up anymore. He basically yelled at me for not signing up, AND for cutting my hair. (OOPS. I definitely regret that now.)We talked a bit, and he let me know that between Millie and Heights there was about a month til rehearsals started – with that little bit of info, I was totally on board again to audition. I signed up the next day, prepared my audition and showed up the day of - - TERRIFED.

Like I said before, I was not very familiar with the show at ALL. I had of course heard 96,000, seen the Tony performance, and knew the lead dude rapped a lot. That was baaaaasically all I knew, aside from all of Nina’s songs. So I showed up, (WITH some extensions in) sweating and shaking to the audition. Went in, sang my song, did some pushing around with Adam on stage while I sang (the whole time I was thinking am I really shoving the director right now?), and left the stage thinking AGH I wish I could do it all over! Went into the lobby and was handed callback packets for…Vanessa and Carla?!? What are THEIR songs and stories?! All I had ever learned was Nina, I had no idea who any of the other female characters were. My first feeling was extreme disappointment. I had really gotten attached to Nina’s character and seeing that I wasn’t called back for her I felt sad, BUT now I had these two new chicas to learn about. I went home, YouTubed and Google’d my face off and saw that both of those girls were AWESOME characters and I fell in love with them as well.

My best friend, Michael Anthony Sylvester - "Graffiti Pete"

So, I went to callbacks again, TERRIFIED. Especially when I walked in – I was a little late coming straight from my full time job, and was called in immediately to sing for Carla. I was flustered and completely botched it. But even from the beginning – I already felt the sense of family as soon as I walked off the stage from my horrid rendition of Carla’s solo in Blackout, embarassed. One girl said ‘I love your shoes’ and another agreed with her and somehow it made me feel so much better. I mean, who compliments other people at auditions? Who smiles and laughs and talks to you when they’re COMPETING with you for a part? Exactly. That’s what I mean when I say this was NOT your typical callback – everyone was SO nice. And everyone was SO FIERCE. Every voice was amazing. I got up to sing for Vanessa, I believe almost last and my nerves were just SHOT. I had just listened to 10 other BEAUTIFUL girls belt to the gods. But I got up there, and gave it all I could.

Dancing wise – I had a blast! The dance was so challenging and fun and I had the best time. And when I say everyone was a SICK dancer – I mean it. I was asked to salsa, alone, to Jay Z rapping at one point while everyone stared at me and I thought "I have no idea what the hell I’m doing. And everyone is staring at me oh my god" At this point, I started to feel pretty un-talented. I was having so much fun, but I was starting to think of it as "Hey, at least you tried!" I left feeling good about my audition on the whole, but felt that there was way too much talent there for me to have gotten any part…until the phone call from Adam came.

I got a text message that night –"You awake?" and I responded "Yes!" Adam called me. He asked "So, are you happy with how your audition went today?" I answered "Well…uh…I…could have done better with my acting while I sang…and I could have danced better. Are you happy with how things went?" He answered "That depends on how you answer my next question – will you be my Vanessa?" I can’t even begin to describe what I felt…WHAT!?!?!?!?!? I immediately started sobbing and DUH said yes. We chatted a little and hung up. I sat on my bed…and then it sank in…oh god. Im Vanessa. And I got really terrified. I had never played a "sexy" character before. Am I sexy enough? Can I dance well enough? What if no one likes me?

"The Fantastic Four" - Just part of the familia!

But from there, I started to get to know Adam, Lorens, Matt and Joshua and fell in LOVE with them. They quickly became my little family. Soon it came the day to have our first cast meet up – and it was like a family REUNION. It was like we had all known and loved eachother for years. When I say this cast is a family, it REALLY is. I could literally talk so easily to ANY of them. I am entirely in love with every single person. Pilar feels like my Abuela. Lorens is like my long lost sister. Each person is like another family member I have added to the tree.

Vanessa is one of the characters that I thought I would never get the chance to play. I remember seeing her in the Tony performance of 96,000, watching Karen Olivo and thinking wow that would be such an awesome part to play. She’s got swag, she’s got sass, I love her. But for some reason, I felt I really was never THAT person. The first time we all sang through 96,000, tears came to my eyes realizing that this was real life, I am doing something I thought I wasn’t capable of and lord almighty I am going to try my BEST to be as good as I possibly can. I want to do this for my family - my mom’s side of the family that comes from Guadalajara. I want to feel like if they saw the show, they would be proud of me. This is the first time I have ever felt like I’m Latina. I mean, I knew I was. But I’d never FELT it. Words have stuck with me that cast member Michael Sylvester told me – "it doesn’t matter HOW much Latin blood you have in you. Its there. You ARE Latina!"

Just call me, VANESSA.

I’ve had t deal with a lot of things on top of trying to keep it together in rehearsal . I’ve gone through major heartache, finding my way into a new job – and through all of this, my Heights cast has been there EVERY SINGLE DAY with hugs, words of encouragement, TACOS, and love. I could not be more BLESSED than I am now in my life. At the beginning of this journey I felt lost, alone, and unsure of who I was. Through finding my home in this cast, I have found myself. I’ve found confidence. I’ve found lifelong friends. I’ve found that I CAN be sexy, I can feel wanted. I would never trade being a part of the Heights familia for the world. I can already picture myself on closing night just sobbing as we sing the Finale. BUT I can’t think of that yet! We’re about to OPEN! I hope everyone is ready and so excited because I cannot WAIT to get out there and BRING IT!! WEPA!!!!!!!!!!!

 

White Boy Can Rap: Looking at Benny in a New Way with one of the show's stars, Joshua Sherman

Let me start off by saying that YES! White boy CAN rap… I think… I hope… And that’s the mantra that has been playing in my head ever since I was officially offered the role of “Benny” in In the Heights.

Let me give you a perspective on how me and rap evolved through the ages! At one time this was my answer when people asked me if I liked rap: “No! Rap is an abomination of sound! One does not perform rap, one commits it! Like any other crime.” And I’m dead serious. I would tell people that all the time. Now don’t bite my head off! This was years ago and I had a reason as to why I didn’t like that type of music. The main reason being because my big brother loved it and he would torture me with rap every day!

You see, we used to share a bedroom when we were growing up and SOMEONE had to go to Football practice every morning at six. “How did he wake up?” You ask? Well, not like a normal human being with a simple alarm clock, oh no! He had a radio. A big one. With subwoofers and all. And every morning around 5:15am it would kick on and rapidly go up in volume until his lazy A$$ got out of bed to turn it off. And what was the obnoxious distortion of sound blaring from the depths of the speakers from hell? Why rap of course.  Eventually my brother went off to college and that raucousness every morning died down. Thus began the cleaning of my musical pallet, if you will.

And then one day I was flipping through the channels and I see an image of a grungy stage setting, interesting lighting, and a man with a microphone. I instantly halted to check it out. And there it was! A patter song! On television! I was like “I’ve gotta see what this musical is! I’ve never heard of it before.” So, I’m watching this musical and in strolls my brother and asks “Isn’t this 8 Mile?” I, of course, had no idea. So I just shrugged it off thinking he’d pass through, but no. He sits down and watches it with me! Which, my brother watching a musical is like seeing Hilary Clinton in anything but a pant suit; just strange. So I asked him “Do you know this musical?” He looked at me as though I had verbally smacked our grandma. “That’s Eminem.” He said. “Wait… the white rapper?” I asked a bit puzzled. He just nodded and continued to watch the movie as my mind went into a maelstrom! What was I doing!? I had betrayed my convictions! My paradigm was crumbling down before my eyes as I continued to watch and enjoy this… dare I say it… rapper. Ever since then I got more and more lenient on my loathing for the style of music. And actually learned to enjoy some of it! Particularly Eminem, Beastie Boys and now Macklemore! After I was cast I watched and researched everything I could on or about rap: it’s origin. It’s evolution. The meaning behind it. The power behind it. And I’ve come to respect it a lot more than I ever thought possible!

So fast forward to March when I got ahold of the soundtrack to In The Heights.  A musical I had heard nothing about but supposedly had a lot of hype behind it. I loved the music. Rap and all! I sat on it for a while wondering if I should even audition… I mean, I didn’t exactly fit the skin tone of the show but, I was urged to audition and me, being THAT theatre kid who NEEDS to be working on a project at all times, decided to audition thinking that I’d maybe get put in the ensemble… but to my surprise I got called back for Benny. I was like “Alright! That’s pretty awesome.” I was handed a packet that had two snippets of songs in it. The next morning (my first free moment to look at the packet) I discovered that I would be rapping 18 bars. “I got this!” I thought as I listened to the music and rapped along. I wish I would have recorded that first time through. It was probably the WHITEST thing in the world. It was completely out of rhythm, no beats were followed, it was a train wreck and panic set it as time drew nearer to the callback time. I worked my butt off getting that 18 bars of rap down. I went over it more than 30 times or more. To the point where the next door neighbor of my apartment knocked on my door to ask me if I could do something else… But I had it! I got to the point where I was on beat, in rhythm, and had actually done it from memory quite excellently for a white boy. I was READY for this callback.

And then I got there. And everything went downhill. I instantly felt out of place. I was the only white boy there. THE ONLY ONE. And worse, we had to audition in front of each other. The first potential Benny went up and he blew it out of the water. It was great. And I was done for. My name was called and I could feel everyone’s eyes on me as I, The White Boy, took the long death march to center stage. They asked me if I was ready and I thought “as ready as I will ever be”. I started the song and before I could even get a third of the way through I screwed it up. Like an idiot I fumbled over my tongue and like an amateur I apologized for my stupidity and asked to restart. I could hear whispers in the corner. Judgment. The lights seemed to get brighter and hotter as each second passed and I just wanted it all to be over. I said maybe one line and just crumpled and shook my head as the music played in the background until it got to the singing portion. “At least I have this!” I thought… well, I thought wrong. I forgot the words! I kinda just hummed/laughed my way through until I remembered something. Which, I did. By god I sang that last word of the callback cut like my life depended on it.



Ensemble Member and "diva" Aigner Mathis
on break with Joshua

I walked back to my seat defeated, angry at myself, and hating my lack of natural ability to rap. Unlike every single guy who went after me displayed. It was a terrible feeling, listening to them all rap. Like a smack in the face with each syllable! They asked us all to stick around for the dance call but due to a really rude woman, an extremely difficult first eight count for a non-dancer, and the stress of my personal life; when a fellow auditionee smirked at me and said “You probably should just go”, that’s exactly what I did. I gathered my things and made a bee-line to my car.  As soon as I got into my car, what else would be playing but In The Heights? It was “Sunrise” one of my favorite songs in the show. One of Benny’s songs. And I knew that I had blown it. I would never have an opportunity to play Benny now. I would never be able to sing that song unless it’s for some showcase or some lame concert that I would have to put together. The deeper I got into the song the more regret I felt. The more hatred I had for myself. The more disappointed I became. The more passionate I became about playing that role! I could do it. I KNEW I COULD DO IT! I rapped before the callback and I could do it now! I switched it to the song that had the callback cut in it and rapped alongside the Benny on the soundtrack. I did it just fine. “INSERT MANY EXPLETIVES HERE”. I was so upset with myself. Then I got the e-mail: “We’re sorry, we cannot use your talent at this time-“ blah, blah, blah! I didn’t even read all of it. Just straight to the trash. “What talent?” I thought as I sulked to a pick-up rehearsal for a different show.

 



As I entered the building for my rehearsal I could hear music playing. Familiar music. Music that haunted my subconscious since the callbacks. They were auditioning more Bennys. I sat on the couch and was forced to listen to the boy sing and rap as I mimicked him under my breath. “I could do this.” I thought. “I could do this so much better than him.” I lay there as I was forced to listen to this boy audition for the part that I suddenly had a burning passion to play. A chance that I had thrown away because of nerves and stupid stress! Then Lorens, the phenomenal young woman playing Nina, came into the room after the audition was over to get me for our rehearsal. “You guys still haven’t found a Benny?” I asked, already knowing the answer. “No” She snipped, obviously annoyed “Even the ones who could maybe do it just don’t look the part! It looks like I would break them!” I laughed as I muttered under my breath. “I could do it.” She gave me “the look” (she heard me during my callback) “oh yeah?” she chided. I nodded and she asked me to prove it. So I did. I rapped the callback cut as I got up to go to the rehearsal. She stood there, mouth agape, and shook her head. “What?” is all I remember her saying as we left for the rehearsal. She told me that I should ask for a second chance; something that I was taught to be a taboo in the industry. But I thought about it all through rehearsal. The night before I watched an episode of Smash, in which one of the characters asked to read for a role that she wasn’t called for. She got the part and she excelled in it. I kept thinking about that episode and my new found passion for Benny.



Joshua with Lorens Portalatin (Nina) and
Music Director Kristin Spires working on
"When You're Home"

After the rehearsal our director (who was also directing In The Heights) and the musical director (who was also in the show we just finished rehearsal for) where talking about their grief about not being able to find a Benny. They were packing up to go as I stood awkwardly by the stage debating on if I should anything. “If I ask for a second audition, would I be able to do it? Would I choke again?” But I just focused on that urge, that pull for Benny… and I raised my hand. Just waiting for one of them to see me and call on me. But they were packing up. “I can’t let them leave” I thought.

“I can do it.”  I said meekly from behind them. They both looked at me eyebrows cocked; no doubt remembering my abortion of a callback. “I was wondering if I could have another go at it.” They looked at me in disbelief but agreed; desperate for something, no doubt. I knew the words. I had done it time after time after the callback. So I did it. I rapped. No music, no beats. Just rapped. After that there was a lot of hustle and hubbub. Speakers were being plugged in. Laptops were being booted up. “Here’s the lyrics, do you need to listen to the track before you do it to the beat?” “Can we get the lights up so he can see?” Librettos were being opened and pushed into my hands. “Ready?” I nodded. The music played and I did my thing. “He was a little bit off beat. A bit too fast” Mark said (the A.M.D.). “No, no. He was fine” Adam (the director) said. “Do you know the other song?”  Kristin (M.D.) asked. “Not really, but I can give it a go.” She walked me through it and then started the music.

The song “When You’re Home” started playing and I sang. After the first line I could hear Adam gasping behind me. Kristin signaled to Lorens to get on stage, readying her for when the duet portion began. We sang the final note and the room was silent. I looked around. Fearful I wasn’t good enough. That I had just wasted everyone’s time. Lorens was giddy, almost doing the pee dance. Kristin was beaming. Mark was expressionless. And Adam was silent (which is a scary thing.) Without a word he stands up and walks over to me and gives me a giant hug! Afterwards he says: “we have been looking for you for all of thi- wait… Will you be my Benny?” I laughed as I nodded my head. “I would love to.” I said almost out of breath. He wrapped his arms around me once more and welcomed me to the cast… It was a surreal moment.



Salon Starlett, Natalie Coca who play's Carla says,
"When he sings, I melt."

The members of the production team apparently were struggling to find the right Benny for a while and there I was. But the struggle wasn’t over for me. Nor would it be. I told my brother that night (who I haven’t spoken to in a long while) that I was cast in a show that I rap in. He was a little dumbfounded but said he couldn’t wait to see it. My mom, when I told her I rap in my next show, said “You mean presents, right?” And that’s the response I get from everyone that knows me…

I am not a rapper. I am not Latino. I am not African-American like the role was originated to be. I am a white ballad singer! Not to mention, EVERYONE who was at that callback was going to see that I, the white boy who messed up his callbacks royally, was going to be playing Benny. One of the principle roles. Cast against type. Cast after a callback like THAT! How on Earth was I going to prove my worth? To prove my place? To find my place… They were all welcoming at the first cast meet and greet. But I could feel it: the wondering of “why him?” Every day since then, in and out of rehearsal, I strive to prove myself to each and every one of them. I work hard every day on my raps with the upmost appreciation for Kristin and Mark for helping me out with them. I try my best to emulate Matt’s (Usnavi’s) “swag” and to learn how to make my raps come to life a third of way that he can. I praise the Persian Prince (Jordan) on him taking the time to teach me some of his dance moves to better fall into my character; I practice them to point where I am sore the next day. I hit the book so hard to bring the role of Benny to life.

I have a lot of pressure in this role. A professional regional premiere! And the people who know the show are going to be expecting an African-American Benny. They’ll be judging me all through the show: “A white Benny? Let’s pick apart his every move! Let’s make him out to be the weakest part of the show because it’s not how it’s supposed to be!” Often, I feel like an outcast within the cast. The odd ball. The token white boy… The mistake.

And it’s THAT feeling; that drive to prove myself, to work harder than anyone to be the best that I can be. THAT is why I know I can do this role because, in a nutshell, THAT is who Benny is; the odd-man out. Like me. The one who is constantly trying to prove his place to everyone around him. Like me! The one struggling to find a home in his community! Like. Me. A home within himself. Like! Me! He has so much love and so much passion. JUST! LIKE! ME!

"The (Fat) Fantastic Four"

He just so happens to speak his heart through song and his soul through rap. And if we have everything else in common, then by god, we will have that in common too! I will sing my heart and I will rap my soul and when this show opens I will leave people saying “Wow. White boy CAN rap!” and I will have, finally, found my home in this production… I know I’ve found my famillia. Each and every one of them, from our “Lavallee” choreographer, Elise, to our youngest member, Addie, have influenced and supported me. I could not have done it without them. The (Fat) Fantastic Four have been a pillar for me.  They’ve been my brother and sisters since I was brought into this cast and I could not have been more blessed to work alongside them…

So there’s your “New (but pretty much the same) way of looking at Benny”. This white boy can rap and you best watch out DFW, because “I’m taking over the Barrio!”