El Apagón

Adapted by
Alvan Colón Lespier, Jorge B. Merced, and Rosalba Rolón for Pregones Theater,
from the story “La noche que volvimos a ser gente” (The Night We Became People Again) by José Luis González.
Music by Ricardo Pons and César Rodríguez.
Directed by Rosalba Rolón.
Arrangements and Musical Direction by Desmar Guevara
Performed in Spanish and English with supertitles

CAST
Jorge B. Merced and Flaco Navaja (actors),
with
Jorge Castro (sax, flute), Desmar Guevara (piano), Gabriel Lugo (percussion) and Benjamin Willis (bass).

TEAM
Set Design Brian Ireland
Lighting Design Lucrecia Briceño
Costume Design Harry Nadal
Sound Design Milton Ruiz
Photography by Marisol Díaz

ABOUT
Hailed by critics as “the quintessential Boricua play,” El Apagón / The Blackout has been performed to standing ovations in more than 30 U.S. cities, as well as in Puerto Rico, Canary Islands, Holland, and Slovakia.

This is Pregones/PRTT’s forever popular stage adaptation of the short story “La noche que volvimos a ser gente” (The Night We Became People Again) by beloved Puerto Rican writer José Luis González. The production premiered in The Bronx in 1990 with Jorge B. Merced in the original cast, when the company resided at historic St. Ann’s Church in Morrisania.

24th Anniversary Run at Puerto Rican Traveling Theater, New York City, Fall 2014.

SYNOPSIS: While riding the New York City subway uptown to El Barrio, eager to witness the birth of his firstborn, a factory worker and his best friend, Trompo Loco, are caught in the first Great Northeastern Blackout. The play captures the innocence, good humor, and courage of its two migrant protagonists, setting their adventure to the classic rhythms of Latin love songs from the 1950s and 60s. .

PRESS for El Apagón:

“Illuminated by miracles and music, EL APAGÓN whips through very funny riffs on assembly-line work, the panicky subway crowd, the miracle of the baby, and the blaze of stars.”– The New York Times

“…truly the quintessential Boricua play. A celebration of life and human compassion amidst adverse social circumstances” – Beatriz Rizk, IHTF Miami

“Beautiful and inspiring! It reminds me that the little things in life show us truth and profound delight. It asks the audience to breathe, see, and remember our common humanity.”– Joseph González, Taller Puertorriqueño, Philadelphia, PA

“Simple in its humanity and beautifully realized.”–
Dudley Cocke, Roadside Theater