Adelina Anthony & D'Lo present JOTALOGUES

Three-Day Run!: Jotalogues with Adelina Anthony & D'Lo

Talking taboo in the LGBTQAI-U! A new performance work written and performed by Adelina Anthony & D'Lo and directed by Mark Valdez. Jotalogues is a National Performance Network (NPN) Creation fund project co-comissioned by La Peña Cultural Center in partnership with allgo (a Texas statewide organization for people of color).


May 27-29, 2011. $10 adv. $15 dr. - 8pm
La Peña, 3105 Shattuck Ave. in Berkeley
http://www.lapena.org


La Peña Cultural Center and the National Performance
Network Presents the World Premiere Workshop Production!


JOTALOGUES

Talking Taboo in the LGBTQAI—U!
Written by ADELINA ANTHONY with D’Lo
Performed by Adelina Anthony & D’Lo
Directed by Mark Valdez


Adelina Anthony and D’Lo are groundbreaking queer artists of color working as multi-disciplinary artists whose theater/performance presentations have garnered numerous awards, nominations, and critical attention. Ms. Anthony was a nominee for a prestigious 2009 Alpert Award in theater, which rewards experimenters who are challenging and transforming art, their respective disciplines and society. Most recently, in 2010, she garnered the Sandra Cisneros’ Del Moral Foundation Award for her solo playwriting, and the National Performance Network (NPN) Creation Fund Award to develop and perform Jotalogues. Adelina has invited fellow collaborator, D’Lo, who has been described as a “jolt of creative energy” to join her in this creative process, turning the original solo concept into a two-person performance piece. In the past, D’Lo has also been awarded the Creation Fund Award and Durfee Foundation Grant for his performance work. They are both national touring artists. The two have collaborated as performers, writers, and directors of each other’s solo works, but this marks the first time they share the stage in a full-length two-person show.



Over the last few months, Adelina and D’Lo have embarked on meeting the challenges of this new work rooted in comedy, but dealing with the most serious matters of our times. But even with its moments of gravitas, these “sacred clowns” are known for taking up taboo and difficult material and stirring up rich performance material.



Steeped in witty language and physical humor, Jotalogues, is a performance piece that tackles our multiple intersections from a pan-Latino, pan-generational, and pan-sexual viewpoint. As our communities continue to face deep crisis, Jotalogues gives voice to the most marginalized—and its not your typical queers. In this show, Adelina and D’Lo, recreate our animal brethren to explore the effects of non-regulated human impact and destruction on our planet. Tackling the familiar tropes of racism, sexism, and homophobia, Anthony and D’Lo’s signature comedic chops and zany characterizations give us fresh insights into what we already think we know about our progressive movements; humor, political critique, and a flair for imagination move the story of “impending doom in a post-2012 world” swiftly through scenes of animal concern and betrayal, monologues of revelation and revolution, and quirky transitions that emphasize the animal nature in all of us.


Jotalogues emerged from different opportunities to workshop characters during the last few years and a desire to examine “isms” from a queer people of color perspective. “I realized I could create another solo show, or I could invite my talented friend, D’Lo, to join me in creating something that spoke to our mutual concerns and showcased both of our talents. It’s not everyday you get to see a Xicana-Indígena lesbian and a queer/trans Sri-Lankin share the stage,” Anthony says as the lead artist on the grant. “I feel our audiences, which already have some overlap, are going to be in for an entertaining and surprising ride together. And that’s the larger point of the piece, we’re all in it together.”



Director Mark Valdez has been directing theater for well over a decade across the nation. He is the National Coordinator for the Network of Ensemble Theaters (NET), he was formerly a Cornerstone Theater Company Associate Director, and currently sits on the Theater Communications Group Board of Directors.


For more information, visit http://www.adelinaanthony.com and http://www.dlocokid.com