LosFelizToday is Proud to Present “The King of the Desert!”
October 25, 2011 Art, Community, Entertainment
Los Feliz based production company CoActive Content and The American Latino Theater present a new co-production of the critically acclaimed play The King of the Desert at the historic El Portal Theatre. The play is written by Stacey Martino, stars Rene Rivera and directed by award winning director, Sal Romeo all Lifetime Members of The Actors Studio and longtime Los Feliz residents. The set is designed by Danuta Tomzynski, built by Michael Brainard with video art by Mat Hale, all also Los Feliz residents. The production is offering a discount for Los Feliz Today readers in an effort to share the work of local artists with their community.
Originally produced at the El Centro Theatre in Hollywood, CA in 2010 under the direction of Valentino Ferreira, “The King of the Desert” has been hailed by BroadwayWorld.com as “astounding, electric, passionate and luminous.” Hoy, Los Angles wrote, “an inspiring and intense story with one extraordinary actor, and many, many souls.” The Los Feliz Ledger raved René Rivera’s performance is “a tour de force,” while Campus Circle mentioned “the audience is left totally spellbound,” and Latin Heat Magazine commented the production “has legs” and is “New York bound.”
The play is based on actor René Rivera’s true-life story. Rivera grew up in a barrio in Texas and had a very rough beginning. Along the way, one of his schoolteachers noticed he had talent and suggested he audition for the Acting Department at The Juilliard School in New York. Rivera eventually got an audition for The Juilliard School, and not only got it, but he got a full scholarship to study acting there. After graduating from Juilliard Rivera began working as a professional actor including appearing opposite Al Pacino in “Salome” on Broadway. Since then, Rivera has appeared opposite Al Pacino in the movie, “Wilde Salome,” which just debuted at the Venice Film Festival. Rivera is also currently filming a new movie entitled “Smash” directed by James Ponsoldt, starring Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Aaron Paul and Octavia Spencer. Rivera’s life has completely changed from his early days growing up in a barrio in Texas. He is now a successful actor in film, television and theatre.
Concurrently throughout the run of the play an art exhibition celebrating Mexican American culture by the artist Maja will be on display in the lobby of the Forum Theatre at the El Portal Theatre, along with Milagros (artwork created by young Spanish children representing their dreams and aspirations). A portion of the proceeds from performances throughout the run of the show will benefit the National Latino Children’s Institute, The Oscar De La Hoya Foundation and The Youth Policy Institute. A Talk Back Question and Answer Session with members of the play’s cast and crew will be held at the conclusion of each Sunday matinee performance.
Performances will be given on Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. and Sundays at 3:00 p.m., October 28 – December 4, 2011. There will be no performances on Friday and Saturday, November 11th and 12th at 8:00 p.m., or on Sunday, November 13th at 3:00 p.m. Instead, that week there will be performances on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, November 8, 9 and 10, 2011 at 8:00 p.m. After that, the performance schedule of Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. and Sundays at 3:00 p.m. will resume for the rest of the run.
Tickets are $20.00 each for General Admission. Tickets for Students, Seniors, Veterans and Guild Members are $15 each. Tickets for Groups of eight or more are $10. For reservations please call the Box Office at 866-811-4111 or 818-508-4200, or buy online at www.elportaltheatre.com. For Groups of eight of more, please call 323-315-0015.
For more info CLICK HERE
To view some performance footage from the play CLICK HERE
The co-production will be presented in the El Portal Forum Theatre; 5269 Lankershim Boulevard (at Weddington Street), North Hollywood, CA 91601 on Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. and Sundays at 3:00 p.m., October 28 – December 4, 2011. Parking is available in parking lots surrounding the theatre and on the street.
Los Feliz Today readers can MENTION “COACTIVE” WHEN ORDERING AND SAVE $5 ON GENERAL ADMISSION TICKETS.
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Comments (1)
I saw this play in it’s first run about 1 year ago and it is awesome! Very engaging and entertaining, it’s a one-man play which in itself is a very challenging proposition. Rene delivers a tour-de-force powerful passionate performance. You will not be bored I guarantee it, it engages you fully for the whole 2 hours+!!! Highly recommend it for people of all ages! Go see it!