Latinologues
*Best Debut by a New Acting Company* - The Dallas Observer Best of Dallas 2002
Latinologues
Latinologues™ is a collection of comedic and poignant monologues about the Latino experience in America that has toured the nation to sold-out crowds and received standing ovations. It was created, written, directed and produced for stage by Rick Najera, one of America’s leading comedy writers. Having written for such ground breaking shows as MAD TV and In Living Color, he wanted to create a showcase for Latino talent. The idea was first conceived when Najera discovered a hunger for Latino actors to have a showcase, one where they could be seen in comedy. “So many times we’re seen as serious and dramatic but not funny, and comedy is universal,” said Najera.
Latinologues
Latinologues™ is a collection of comedic and poignant monologues about the Latino experience in America that has toured the nation to sold-out crowds and received standing ovations. It was created, written, directed and produced for stage by Rick Najera, one of America’s leading comedy writers. Having written for such ground breaking shows as MAD TV and In Living Color, he wanted to create a showcase for Latino talent. The idea was first conceived when Najera discovered a hunger for Latino actors to have a showcase, one where they could be seen in comedy. “So many times we’re seen as serious and dramatic but not funny, and comedy is universal,” said Najera.
Latinologues™ has received outstanding reviews such as ‘Top Pick’, ‘Recommended’ and ‘Critics Choice’ from top theater critics and was recently awarded a 2004 Imagen Award for Best Live Theatrical Production. The show has also received numerous accolades and official commendations from City Mayors and U.S. Senators for its production. Each story is meant to educate, inspire and most of all make you laugh. The show is and remains to be a true service to the Latino community
“It’s comedy with a universal appeal with a Latin flavor.” said Najera. From the well-known and most loved character, Buford Gomez, who provides a comprehensive seminar on efficient border patrol tactics, to Miss East L.A. who will do anything to save her crown, to Fidel who outsmarts ‘La Migra’ and heads to Puerto Vallarta for free. Other characters include ‘Alejandro’ the heartthrob bus boy who is mesmerized by a blonde, the unstoppable and radical Mecha members who fight to create justice “I may be radical but don’t call after ten, my mom gets mad” to the Manic Hispanic Hollywood Producer which the Houston Chronicle calls “Charles Nelson Riley dipped in salsa.” These characters will make you laugh and definitely get you thinking. The Los Angeles Reader says “Najera’s work bursts from the barrio to the universal.”
Latinologues™ has provided education and employment to numerous actors and has launched the professional careers for dozens of Latinos. More than seventy different actors have performed in Latinologues™ throughout the years. From the unknown to the famous, Latinologues™ has been home to such stars as Eugenio Derbez, Edward James Olmos, Cynthia Klitbo, Erik Estrada, Geraldo Rivera, Christina, Maria Conchita Alonso, Jacob Vargas, Mario Lopez, Tony Plana, Cristian De La Fuente, Fernando Carrillo, Rene Lavan, Yareli Arizmendi and dozens others.
Latinologues™ has been featured around the country in cities such as San Diego, Los Angeles, Portland, San Antonio, Houston, Las Vegas, Houston, Miami and on Showtime’s Latino Laugh Festival with an all-star cast, HBO’s Aspen Comedy Festival, The Big Stinkin’ Comedy Festival in Austin and the Festival of Independent Theaters in Dallas for which it was named “Most daring production”. There have been productions at two Tony Award winning theaters, South Coast Repertory Theater in Costa Mesa and the Victory Gardens Theater in Chicago. Latinologues has also been performed at numerous fundraisers to benefit non-profit organizations.
The show has been an underground favorite across the nation for years with a rotating cast performing monologues that keep the show fresh.
The Dallas show is a cabaret-style production with two actors. Marco Rodriguez and Otis Gray portray all of the characters, from an overprotective mother who thinks her son is a vampire, to a Mexican Moses who's re-written the commandments to fit Latino needs. Each of the characters deal with issues impacting the Latino community.
Latinologues mixes comedy, singing, and music to make its point: We are all the same. We may not be from the same culture but we share the same human needs.
Martice's LATINOLOGUES performed to sold-out crowds and critical praise during June, 2002. This production won Martice Enterprises a BEST DEBUT BY A NEW ACTING COMPANY award in the Dallas Observer's Best of Dallas edition 2002 and a TOP 5 Productions of 2002 award by The Dallas Voice.
What the Critics Have Said About Latinologues:
Martice's Production:
“Latinologues is back, better than ever.”
-Lawson Taitte, The Dallas Morning News, May 31, 2002
“…it’s smart and trenchant, as well-written as anything John Leguizamo has come up with in his much-praised in-one stage shows.”
-Elaine Liner, The Dallas Observer, June 6, 2002
"Side-splitting humor that will embarrass you a little for laughing."
-Mark Lowry, Fort Worth Star Telegram
"Latinologues boasts a quick succession of bona fide howlers."
-Jimmy Flowler, Dallas Observer
"Rapid-fire comedy; insightful, irreverent and often bawdy take on Hispanic culture."
-Perry Stewart - Fort Worth Star Telegram
"It's mockery of cultural stereotypes carries echoes of real pain."
-Tom Sime, The Dallas Morning News
“Latinologues is the best showcase for Latinos in America”
-Jimmy Smitts, Actor (NYPD Blue, The Price of Glory)
“Latinologues is a clever swipe at stereotypes.”
-Chicago Tribune
"Rick Najera's work and writing are genius."
-Quentin Tarantino
“Najera’s monologues burst from the barrio to the Universe.”
-LA Weekly
“No one escapes Najera’s biting satire.”
-La Opinion
“Najera’s monologue spears deeply into the uncertainties of culture. He never settles for half-truths or clichés. He shows Latinos what they are: complex individuals.”
-Los Angeles Times
“Rick Najera gives the Latino perspective in America”
-Allan Johnson, Chicago Tribune
“Bawdy jokes satirical jabs accent Rick Najera’s well-written portraits of Latinos.”
-LA Times
“Hilarious.”
-QV Magazine
“Critics Choice.”
-Chicago Reader
Some of Latinologues' Past Performers:
Rick Najera*
Cheech Marin, Director - Latinologues on Broadway
Gene Pompa
Rene Lavan
Eugenio Derbez
Jacob Vargas*
Many Sossa
Carlos Gomez*
Alexis Cruz*
Mario Lopez
Raul de Molina (El Gordo)
Cynthia Klitbo
Shana Montanez
Ruddy Moreno
Debi Guiterez
Fernando Carrillo
Elena Sotomayor*
Mike Gomez
Alexis Meneses
Jaime Camil
Dante Garza
Gabriel Iglesias
Lisa Rodriguez
Monica Torrez
Luis Avalos
Kathy Franco
Dalia
Gilbert Esquivel
John Furse
Luchy Garcia
Mark Espinosa
Jennifer Lamar
Emilio Rivera
Rick Garcia
Maria Costa
Janina Gavankar
Sammy A Publes
Tony Plana
Shana Montanez
Ada Maris
Gil Ferales
Esai Morales
Luis Raul
Edward James Olmos
Danny De La Paz
Erick Estrada
Carmen Serano
Maty Munford
Constance Marie
Christina Saralegui
Jim Konobloch
Maria Canales
Jose Solano
Liz Torrez
Yareli Arizmendi
Maria Conchita Alonso
Sergio Arau
Rodney Rincon
Marco Rodriguez
Otis Grey
Chi Chi Navarro
Charo Toledo
“It’s comedy with a universal appeal with a Latin flavor.” said Najera. From the well-known and most loved character, Buford Gomez, who provides a comprehensive seminar on efficient border patrol tactics, to Miss East L.A. who will do anything to save her crown, to Fidel who outsmarts ‘La Migra’ and heads to Puerto Vallarta for free. Other characters include ‘Alejandro’ the heartthrob bus boy who is mesmerized by a blonde, the unstoppable and radical Mecha members who fight to create justice “I may be radical but don’t call after ten, my mom gets mad” to the Manic Hispanic Hollywood Producer which the Houston Chronicle calls “Charles Nelson Riley dipped in salsa.” These characters will make you laugh and definitely get you thinking. The Los Angeles Reader says “Najera’s work bursts from the barrio to the universal.”
Latinologues™ has provided education and employment to numerous actors and has launched the professional careers for dozens of Latinos. More than seventy different actors have performed in Latinologues™ throughout the years. From the unknown to the famous, Latinologues™ has been home to such stars as Eugenio Derbez, Edward James Olmos, Cynthia Klitbo, Erik Estrada, Geraldo Rivera, Christina, Maria Conchita Alonso, Jacob Vargas, Mario Lopez, Tony Plana, Cristian De La Fuente, Fernando Carrillo, Rene Lavan, Yareli Arizmendi and dozens others.
Latinologues™ has been featured around the country in cities such as San Diego, Los Angeles, Portland, San Antonio, Houston, Las Vegas, Houston, Miami and on Showtime’s Latino Laugh Festival with an all-star cast, HBO’s Aspen Comedy Festival, The Big Stinkin’ Comedy Festival in Austin and the Festival of Independent Theaters in Dallas for which it was named “Most daring production”. There have been productions at two Tony Award winning theaters, South Coast Repertory Theater in Costa Mesa and the Victory Gardens Theater in Chicago. Latinologues has also been performed at numerous fundraisers to benefit non-profit organizations.
The show has been an underground favorite across the nation for years with a rotating cast performing monologues that keep the show fresh.
The Dallas show is a cabaret-style production with two actors. Marco Rodriguez and Otis Gray portray all of the characters, from an overprotective mother who thinks her son is a vampire, to a Mexican Moses who's re-written the commandments to fit Latino needs. Each of the characters deal with issues impacting the Latino community.
Latinologues mixes comedy, singing, and music to make its point: We are all the same. We may not be from the same culture but we share the same human needs.
Martice's LATINOLOGUES performed to sold-out crowds and critical praise during June, 2002. This production won Martice Enterprises a BEST DEBUT BY A NEW ACTING COMPANY award in the Dallas Observer's Best of Dallas edition 2002 and a TOP 5 Productions of 2002 award by The Dallas Voice.
What the Critics Have Said About Latinologues:
Martice's Production:
“Latinologues is back, better than ever.”
-Lawson Taitte, The Dallas Morning News, May 31, 2002
“…it’s smart and trenchant, as well-written as anything John Leguizamo has come up with in his much-praised in-one stage shows.”
-Elaine Liner, The Dallas Observer, June 6, 2002
"Side-splitting humor that will embarrass you a little for laughing."
-Mark Lowry, Fort Worth Star Telegram
"Latinologues boasts a quick succession of bona fide howlers."
-Jimmy Flowler, Dallas Observer
"Rapid-fire comedy; insightful, irreverent and often bawdy take on Hispanic culture."
-Perry Stewart - Fort Worth Star Telegram
"It's mockery of cultural stereotypes carries echoes of real pain."
-Tom Sime, The Dallas Morning News
“Latinologues is the best showcase for Latinos in America”
-Jimmy Smitts, Actor (NYPD Blue, The Price of Glory)
“Latinologues is a clever swipe at stereotypes.”
-Chicago Tribune
"Rick Najera's work and writing are genius."
-Quentin Tarantino
“Najera’s monologues burst from the barrio to the Universe.”
-LA Weekly
“No one escapes Najera’s biting satire.”
-La Opinion
“Najera’s monologue spears deeply into the uncertainties of culture. He never settles for half-truths or clichés. He shows Latinos what they are: complex individuals.”
-Los Angeles Times
“Rick Najera gives the Latino perspective in America”
-Allan Johnson, Chicago Tribune
“Bawdy jokes satirical jabs accent Rick Najera’s well-written portraits of Latinos.”
-LA Times
“Hilarious.”
-QV Magazine
“Critics Choice.”
-Chicago Reader
Some of Latinologues' Past Performers:
Rick Najera*
Cheech Marin, Director - Latinologues on Broadway
Gene Pompa
Rene Lavan
Eugenio Derbez
Jacob Vargas*
Many Sossa
Carlos Gomez*
Alexis Cruz*
Mario Lopez
Raul de Molina (El Gordo)
Cynthia Klitbo
Shana Montanez
Ruddy Moreno
Debi Guiterez
Fernando Carrillo
Elena Sotomayor*
Mike Gomez
Alexis Meneses
Jaime Camil
Dante Garza
Gabriel Iglesias
Lisa Rodriguez
Monica Torrez
Luis Avalos
Kathy Franco
Dalia
Gilbert Esquivel
John Furse
Luchy Garcia
Mark Espinosa
Jennifer Lamar
Emilio Rivera
Rick Garcia
Maria Costa
Janina Gavankar
Sammy A Publes
Tony Plana
Shana Montanez
Ada Maris
Gil Ferales
Esai Morales
Luis Raul
Edward James Olmos
Danny De La Paz
Erick Estrada
Carmen Serano
Maty Munford
Constance Marie
Christina Saralegui
Jim Konobloch
Maria Canales
Jose Solano
Liz Torrez
Yareli Arizmendi
Maria Conchita Alonso
Sergio Arau
Rodney Rincon
Marco Rodriguez
Otis Grey
Chi Chi Navarro
Charo Toledo
