Southern Rep Presents Carlo Alban's INTRINGULIS

Southern Rep is excited to bring the Regional Premiere of INTRÍNGULIS, written and performed by gifted comic actor Carlo Alban, to New Orleans as part of its 2010-11 season. This solo show was inspired by Carlo's own experiences as an undocumented Ecuadorian immigrant who became a regular cast member on the PBS television program "Sesame Street," as well as the star of major feature films including Whip It, 21 Grams, and Strangers With Candy. Carlo also stars in the upcoming Kenneth Lonergan film Margaret alongside Matt Damon, Mark Ruffalo, and Anna Paquin.

For INTRÍNGULIS, Carlo blends acting and music to tell the story of his family as it fights both personal demons and protracted economic, legal, and social battles. But INTRÍNGULIS is also the story of thousands of immigrants and other outsiders, one that resonates across borders of nationality and culture. It is about America - the dream and the reality - our identity as Americans, and our relationships with each other and the rest of the world.

I've worked on this play with Carlo and director David Anzuelo for a number of years now. Audiences young and old respond to Carlo's beautiful writing, humor, and songs. But what has always moved me the most has been the reaction of those who saw themselves in Carlo's story - especially young people who feel disenfranchised or ignored for reasons of race, nationality, sexual orientation - anything. I remember this young woman from the Bronx standing up in a talkback, struggling to find her voice through her tears. ‘I just never heard anyone say all that out loud before,' she said.
- Marieke Gaboury, Managing Director, Southern Rep

Southern Rep has student matinee dates available on March 21st, 22nd and 23rd, and is able to work with a budget of any size. Interested schools should contact (504) 523 - 9857 or boxoffice@southernrep.com.

The Alban family moved from Ecuador to New Jersey when Carlo was only seven years old. As illegal immigrants, they lived double lives for many years. To outsiders Carlo appeared a normal Americanized teenager, but in truth he was an alien hiding in plain sight - and never so much as when he was featured on the all-American "Sesame Street" - with a secret he couldn't tell his closest friends. The thousands of others like him were all proficient at invisibility and deception, so communion or discourse was impossible. Carlo set his sights on the day when he could tell the story as he saw it.

Fresh music, edgy humor, and surprising insight drive INTRÍNGULIS so that it engages and entertains audiences of all stripes. But Carlo and Southern Rep believe that INTRÍNGULIS is also a story that needs to be heard and understood by everyone - powerful and powerless alike. In this polarized and politically charged season, it has become clearer than ever that we must address the chasm that exists between immigrants and the laws that determine citizenship. New Orleans' Hispanic population has increased exponentially since Hurricane Katrina and the ensuing failures of the federal levee system, and the difficulties surrounding immigration are ever-present here. Our production of INTRÍNGULIS offers the opportunity to ignite a necessary dialogue within our community as we continue to embrace and support all the cultures and individual histories that blend to make New Orleans a place like no other.

First Preview: Friday, March 11; Opening Night, Saturday, March 12; runs through March 23. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 8 p.m.; Sundays at 3:00 p.m. Tickets for the preview are just $20; with regular prices Thursdays and Sundays at $29; Friday and Saturday tickets at $35. Southern Rep also has student rush tickets available for $10 at the door, 15 minutes prior to each performance. Southern Rep is pleased to offer FAMILY DAY on March 13. Parents can enjoy the show while children ages 5-13 play and learn with our experienced theatre arts educator. Reservations are strongly encouraged. Spots are limited so reserve now! Only $10 per child. Visit www.SouthernRep.com or call 504-522-6545.

What's the Opening Night Experience? Give your night out an upgrade! Join us for our not-to-be-missed gala receptions with plentiful food and drink on hand, the chance to mingle with the artists, enjoy live music and get great deals on prix-fixe dinner options.

For more information, or to reserve your tickets, please call 504-522-6545 or go online to www.SouthernRep.com.

Southern Rep enters its 24th season as the region's premiere professional theatre, continuing to produce bold world and regional premieres under the artistic leadership of Aimée Hayes, with Managing Director, Marieke Gaboury and Associate Artistic Director, Mark Routhier. In addition to an exciting Mainstage season that takes us on a journey from the dining room table to a 19th Century doctor's examining table to a magical realm inhabited by mythical creatures, Southern Rep at Le Chat Noir offers a Second Stage season of eclectic, smart, silly and audacious theatrical fare. Southern Rep continues to offer educational programs such as free student matinees, $10 student rush tickets and Academy SRT; as well as providing an artistic home to new works in development in the annual New Play Bacchanal.

Southern Rep continues to show that it is staging the most important, challenging, and downright mesmerizing pieces of theater New Orleans audiences are graced to experience. - Theodore P. Mahne, The Times-Picayune Lagniappe