Casting was announced today for Tanguera: The Tango Musical (www.tanguera-musical.com) in preparation for their U.S. debut with a special engagement at New York City Center, 131 West 55th Street (between 6th and 7th Avenues), running from October 7-18, 2009.
Argentinian Tango sensation María Nieves stars in the production alongside Esteban Domenichi, Rocío de los Santos, and Oscar Martínez Pey
Tanguera is unique in that it extends the lines between dance and theater, and is in the vein of Movin' Out and Contact. With a cast of over 30 dancers and singers, Tanguera is a musical with original songs and a story told through dance, combining traditional Tango with elements of Modern Dance and Ballet.
Tanguera is choreographEd Mora Goday who herself is a celebrated dancer all over the world with education in ballet at Teatro Colon in Buenos Aires. The show's choreography requires the same preparation of the female protagonists that she received.
Having played to sold-out audiences all over the word, Tanguera had its premiere in Buenos Aires in 2002. Le Figaro in France calls Tanguera "A thrilling show displaying a formation of dancers with adept technical experience and musical talent," La Nacion in Argentina applauds "fabulous stage display and perfect visual resolution," Berliner Zeitung in Germany cheers "A definite must see!" and Le Monde in Paris calls the show "Full of adrenaline!"
Tanguera explodes onto the stage in a tale of unrequited love in turn-of-the-20th-century Buenos Aires through a unique combination of song, music, and dance. In this erotic and sensual musical, a young French girl, deceived by a prostitution ring arrives in Argentina at the port of Buenos Aires, and meets the dockworker Lorenzo, an idealist and dreamer. Life transforms them: she becomes a cabaret star and he must decide to face destiny and conquer his love. Tanguera is performed with a live tango orchestra.
Tanguera is directed by Omar Pacheco and choreographed by Mora Godoy. It has a story by Diego Romay and Dolores Espeja with lyrics by Eladia Blazques. The musical direction and arrangements are by Gerardo Gardelin and the tango arrangements are by Lisandro Adrover. Set design is by Valeria Ambrosio, with costume design by Cecilia Monti and lighting design by Ariel Del Mastro. Tanguera is a Diego Romay Company Production.
Tanguera runs from October 7-18, 2009 and tickets are priced at $95, $75, and $45 with premium seating available. The schedule is as follows: Wednesday 10/7 at 2pm and 7:30pm, Thursday, 10/8 at 8pm (OPENING NIGHT), Friday, 10/9 at 8pm, Saturday 10/10 at 2pm and 8pm, Sunday 10/11 at 2pm and 7pm, Tuesday 10/13 at 7:30pm, Wednesday 10/14 at 8pm, Thursday, 10/15 at 8pm, Friday 10/16 at 8pm, Saturday 10/17 at 2pm and 8pm, and Sunday 10/18 at 2pm and 6pm. Tickets for the international sensation are available through City Tix (212) 581-1212 / 1-877-581-1212 (outside metropolitan area NY, NJ, CT) or order online at www.citycenter.org. For more information on Tanguera, please visit: www.tanguera-musical.com.
MARÍA NIEVES (Madam) is amongst the most esteemed tango dancers on the international scene and, with Juan Carlos Copes, has been part of one of the most well known Argentinean dancing couples for decades. She has danced in the popular Teatro Rex and the renowned Teatro Nacional. She has been seen on television in the most diverse range of shows and has given guest performances with multiple companies on the most esteemed foreign stages. She made an appearance on Broadway as part of the ensemble of Tango Argentino, which was very well received, and used this opportunity to tour around the world for the first time.María Nieves already caused a sensation during the world premiere of Tanguera at the Teatro Nacional and now, at the age of 71, will again be embodying the role of Madam. It is not for nothing that she is referred to as the "beloved of the tango;" she seems to have been born to dedicate her life and work to being a milonguera. A flawless dancer, Mariá Nieves is a part of Argentina just like the Avenida Corrientes and it's not just tango lovers she inspires.As a co-founder of the Asociación de Maestros, Bailarines y Coreógrafos de Tango Argentino, she is a symbol for tango at home and abroad. She was recently named an honorary citizen of the city of Buenos Aires.
ESTEBAN DOMENICHINI (Lorenzo). The native porteño Esteban Domenichini embodies the part of Lorenzo in Tanguera for his seventh year. The role of the young harbor worker led him on prolonged tours through Spain, China, Mexico, Chile, Russia, Japan, and Germany. While still undertaking training,he was engaged in 1996 by the Ballet Arbolada Argentina under the direction of Silvia Ruiz as well as by the Ballet Llavallol under the direction of Cristina Gazzaniga. His celebrated performances led to cooperation with the folk-pop songstress Soledad Pastorutti. Furthermore, Esteban Domenichini was seen alongside the Argentinean songstress in the film La edad del Sol, in which he was not only a performer but was also given the responsibility of artistic assistant. Another great performer in the Argentinean music scene with whom he worked with several times, is the singer Marcela Morelo. Between 1999 and 2000, he joined the leading tour in tango revue, Tangou, through Latin America and the U.S. Furthermore, on two occasions, Esteban Domenichini was invited to be a jury member at the renowned "Festival Buenos Aires Tango" in 2002 together with Mora Godoy and in 2004 with the shooting star of the tango scene, Johana Copes. He was also seen alongside her two years before that in the stirring autobiographical musical of Juan Carlos Copes, Copes Tango Copes. Esteban Domenichini also produced the piece Tango en el fin del mundo in Ushuaia, the most southern town in Argentina.
