The producers of the critically acclaimed new musical hit, ARENA: A House MUSIC-al, have announced that the show will be extended for two weeks until July 31, 2022. Conceived and written by Abel Alvarado and directed by Rigo Tejeda , ARENA: A House MUSIC-al is produced by CASA 0101 Theater, TNH Productions, El Centro Del Pueblo and Los Angeles City Councilman Gil Cedillo.
On Friday, July 15, 2022, actor Alex Honorato, understudy for the central role of Lucio Torrez will appear on stage in the role. Actor Giovanni Navarro will join the cast in the starring role of Michael in performances scheduled for July 22-31, 2022.
Performances will be Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. and Sundays at 4:00 p.m. through July 31, 2022 at CASA 0101 Theater, 2102 East 1st Street (at St. Louis Street), Boyle Heights, CA 90033. For tickets, please call CASA 0101 Theater box office at 323-263-7684, email [email protected] or purchase online at www.casa0101.org
ARENA: A House MUSIC-al is based on 1990s house music at the legendary ARENA Nightclub in Hollywood, CA. A coming-of-age story that follows Lucio Torrez, a young music minister in his father’s apostolic church, who seeks to live his truth, find his voice, and a place where he can be free. ARENA: A House MUSIC-al includes adult themes and nudity. The show is recommended for ages 17 and up.
Under the direction of Rigo Tejeda, the cast of 26 actors is led by actor Preston Gonzalez Valle as Lucio Torrez. Other cast members include: Caleb Green as Jerry Rodriguez, father of House Mirage; Matthew Noah as Mrs. Martin Mendez, House of Mirage and Arena Hostess (July 15, 16, 17, 29 and 31, 2022); Luis Ceja as Mrs. Martin Mendez, House of Mirage and Arena Hostess (July 22, 23, 24, and 30, 2022), Krystal Gem as Donna Sanchez/Fly Girl 1/Ensemble; Casey Alcoser as Erik Stellar, founder and program director of the Gay Conversion Group, EXIT; Bryant Melton as EXIT member/reporter/bartender Michael (July 15, 16, and 17, 2022); Giovanni Navarro as EXIT member/reporter/bartender Michael (July 22, 23, 24, 29, 30, and 31, 2022); Milton David as Pastor Adan Torrrez, Lucio’s father; Amy Melendez d’Orfa Torrez, wife of Pastor Torrez and mother of Lucio; Chrissi Erickson as Angelica Torrez, Lucio’s sister/Ensemble; Alejandro Lechuga as Gilbert, a non-binary man and son of a deacon; Christopher Baker as Octavio Tasquez/Kyle/Sex Clubber; Daniela Hernandez as Bambi; Angelica Ornelas as Ensemble; Jenna Small as DJ Irene, resident DJ / Anna of Arena; Giancarlo Garritano as Johnny Lozano, Jerry Rodriguez’s boyfriend; Jocelyn Sanchez as Nancy/House of Mirage Dancer; Bella Bilandzija as Ensemble; Sonny Felis as House of Mirage member Nick Lopez; Obinne Onyeador as Suzen Rivera, best friend and fairy queen; Michael “Berck” Berckart as Gene La Pietra, founder and owner of Arena and Circus Disco; David Reza as Marcos Reyes, bouncer at Arena / Emilio “Ed” Lemes, Rowdy Boy, Go-Go Dancer; Victor Becerra as Joaquin and Gilbert Understudy; Alexander Huntley as Ensemble and Alex Honorato (Lucio Torrez Understudy).
This project is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts. Other production sponsors include: Eastside Arts Initiative, California Arts Council, Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture, FLUX, Kaiser Permanente, Department of Cultural Affairs City of Los Angeles, AIDS Healthcare Foundation, El Centro Del Pueblo and Los Angeles City Councilmember Gil Cédillo, 1st District.
During tickets are $35 per person for general admission; $30 per person for students and seniors; and $25 per person for Boyle Heights residents with ID and $75 for VIP tickets. ARENA: A House MUSIC-al includes adult themes and nudity. The show is recommended for ages 17 and up. The show is in two acts, with 32 musical numbers, and has an approximate duration of 150 minutes, which does not include the intermission. Advance reservations are strongly encouraged.
The ARENA: A House MUSIC-al production team includes: Josefina López (Founding Artistic Director, CASA 0101 Theater); Emmanuel Deleage (Show Producer and General Manager, Théâtre CASA 0101); Rigo Tejeda (Director of Musical, Founding Artistic Director, TNH Productions, Lead Artwork Designer); Abel Alvarado (Musical/Book Creator and Writer, Director of Creative Art Production and Associate Art Director, TNH Productions); Conrado TerrazasCross (show executive producer and CFO of TNH Productions); Felipe Agredano (show executive producer and director of government relations for TNH Productions); El Centro Del Pueblo, Sandra Figueroa-Villa, producer and Kenneth CrossTerrazas (representing El Centro Del Pueblo); Gil Cedillo, Los Angeles City Councilman, District 1 (show executive producer); Edward Padilla (Casting Director and Chairman of the Board, CASA 0101 Theatre); Benjamin Emory Larson (Composer); Daniel Sugimoto (additional songwriter); Gabrielle Maldonado (lyricist and musical director); Tania Possick (choreographer); Jocelyn Sanchez (dance captain); Marco DeLeón (decorator); Alejandro Parra (lighting designer); Jules Bronola (costume designer); Sydney Reyes (wardrobe assistant); Jermaine Alvarado (costume assistant); Omar Gutierrez (makeup and wig designer); Robert Ortiz (fashion show designs for Royal Rubbish); Tony Iniguez (Mrs. Martin Dress Designer); Bad Burro by Jose Huizar (Go-Go DanceWear); Patricia Zamorano (Playwright); Jerry A. Blackburn (assistant director); Daniel Corona (manager); Cassandra Gutierrez (stage manager); Ernesto Lopez (assistant manager); Max Brother (CASA 0101 Theater Technical Director/COVID Compliance Officer); Gregory Parker (assistant technical director);
Rafael Vasquez (master electrician); Itzel Ocampo (Projection Design, CASA 0101 Theater Administrator); Cesar Castro (sound engineer); Kenyada Himes (music track production); Steve Gil Flores (DJ Consultant); Lorenzo Tambriz (Set Builder); Mark Kraus (CASA 0101 Development Director and Webmaster); (George Villanueva (CASA 0101 Theater House Maintenance); Al Aguilar and JP Torres (production assistant); Gabriela López de Dennis, Soap Studio Inc. (program designer); José Miranda (production photographer); Rudy Torres (production assistant) production photography) and Steve Moyer Public Relations (Press Representative).
