TASC Brings Invierno to Lansing

Doing Theatre Differently PRESS RELEASE

TASC brings “Invierno” to Lansing

For Immediate Release

May 19, 2015 For more information contact: Tommy Gomez [email protected] 415.336.6989

Lansing, MI – After a successful inaugural production of “Othello” during the summer of 2012, and a series of staged readings, The American Shakespeare Collective (TASC) is pleased to announce its second Shakespeare-inspired production, “Invierno.” Performances will take place at the Dart Auditorium on the campus of Lansing Community College for one week only from Thursday, June 4 through Sunday, June 7.

TASC’s mission is to do theatre differently and reinvest in the local community. TASC is excited to be partnering once again with Lansing Community College to bring this brave new interpretation of Shakespeare’s “The Winter Tale” to the Lansing community.

“ Invierno” by José Cruz González is set in 19th century Alta California, then under Mexican rule. In Pre-Statehood California, the story is told of two half sisters, and the conflict between the native Chumash and conquering Spanish, adventuring Russians, and mercenary Finns, as the struggle for control of the land mirrors the struggle for control of conflicting cultures. Obsession and destruction wrought by jealousy leads to friendships fractured, families torn apart, and an

1 2 imperiled state. In present-day California, two teenagers desperate to escape their lives tumble backward through time and in awakening ghosts of the past they claim their present, face their future and begin a healing course. “Invierno” contains multiple languages including Samala, Spanish, Russian, Finnish and English. The play deals with local California/Mexican history and the clash and fusion of many cultures before California became part of the United States.

Staying true to the goal of synthesizing the work of artist locally, nationally and internationally Invierno’s cast includes: TASC Artistic Director Tommy A. Gomez (Eaton Rapids) as Don Leon. Katie Doyle (Lansing) as Paulina, Sean Sabo (Ann Arbor) as Alejandro, Mark Gmazel (Lansing) as Afilado, Luke Daniels (Holt) as Caspian, Sara Anne Ostrowski (Kalamazoo) as Young Woman, and Travis Stanton Morreno (Lansing) as Young Man, and North Carolina actor Kelly Mizell as Hermonia.

Through a generous partnership with the National Theatre of Finland (NTF), visiting artist Kristo Salminen will play Don Patricio. Salminen, who in addition to working in theatre has starred in a number of Finnish sitcoms and films. Over the past two years, artistic directors Tommy Gomez (TASC) and Mika Myllyaho (NTF) worked together to realize the common goal of reaching out and letting art play it’s role in bringing different cultures closer together.

TASC is a proud recipient of the Michigan Council for the Arts and Cultural Affairs matching grant in support of this production.

LOCATION Dart Auditorium, (LCC campus) 500 North Capital, Lansing, MI 48933.

TICKET INFORMATION http://tickets.americanshakespearecollective.com

ADMISSION $20 General Seating, $15 Senior/Veteran, $12 Students

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE

7pm. Thursday, June 4 (Preview) 8 p.m. Friday, June 5 8 p.m. Saturday, June 6 2 p.m. Sunday, June 7*

*Post Show Discussion with the cast

More information on TASC, its members and their bios is available on our Web site

www.americanshakespearecollective.com