Jose Rivera's "Marisol" features Maplewood's Debbie Bernstein at Luna Stage in West Orange

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

April 2, 2014

Jose Rivera's "Marisol" features Maplewood's Debbie Bernstein at Luna Stage in West Orange

Twenty-three year Maplewood resident Debbie Bernstein, who has also appeared on stage in several local theaters, including The Summit Playhouse and Chatham Community Players, has the distinction of being cast as the "Woman with Furs" character in the New Jersey professional premiere of Oscar Nominee José Rivera's "Marisol" which begins preview performances on April 10th with an official opening night of Friday, April 18th at Luna Stage in West Orange, NJ. Set in early 90s New York City,  Rivera's powerful and poetic play plunges audiences into the story of a young Latina woman forced to navigate a world left in disarray when her guardian angel leaves her to fight a battle of biblical proportion.

In the magic realism style of his mentor Gabriel García Márquez, Rivera creates an urban fantasy, filled with humor and pathos, urging society to recover our long-lost compassion and to wrest our world from the brink of destruction.

"To my knowledge, this play has not been revived professionally in the NY area since its premiere", says Luna Artistic Director, Cheryl Katz. "In some ways this makes sense, because up until now, I don't think the time has been quite ripe.  But now, with where we find ourselves spiritually, economically, and globally, the play feels so relevant again.  I really think Rivera was prescient when he wrote this play. The future he depicts is our present."

José Rivera won the Obie Award for best play for "Marisol" in 1993.  He is a prolific writer for the stage and is also the first Puerto Rican screenwriter ever to be nominated for an academy award ("Motorcycle Diaries"). The Luna Stage revival of "Marisol" is directed by Niegel Smith. Smith's theater work has been produced by The Public Theater, Classical Theatre of Harlem, Magic Theatre, HERE Arts Center, Hip Hop Theatre Festival, Summer Play Festival, New York Fringe Festival and the Phoenix Theatre Ensemble.

The production features an ensemble of five actors: Cynthia Fernandez, Nehassaiu deGannes, Christopher Kelly, Emma O'Donnell and Debbie Bernstein. Ms. Fernandez in the title role, grew up in Dumont, NJ and is a graduate of Fairleigh Dickinson University. Ms deGannes returns to Luna after performing in the company's 2011 world premiere "The Tallest Building in the World" by Matt Schatz. Mr Kelly and Ms. O'Donnell each make their Luna Stage debut after performing regionally nationwide. Rounding out the ensemble is Debbie Bernstein, a Maplewood, NJ resident who has performed extensively at some of New Jersey's finest community theaters.

The design team for "Marisol" includes Set Designer Arnulfo Maldonado, Light Designer Jorge Arroyo, Sound Designer Erik T. Lawson and Costume Designer Deborah Caney. The Production Stage Manager is Aubriana Sabino.

The production runs Thursdays at 7:30pm, Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 3pm from April 10th through May 11th.  Opening night is Friday April 18th. Tickets range from $25-$35 and can be purchased at lunastage.org, by calling 973-395-5551 or in person Tues.-Fri. 10am-3pm. Group, student and senior discounts available.

For over two decades, Luna Stage has produced thought-provoking theatre that gives voice to emerging American playwrights and re-examines contemporary and classic plays that speak to our times. As producer, educator and innovator, Luna Stage is committed to collaborating with artists of multiple disciplines and community partners to illuminate the diverse perspectives of society.

Luna Stage is located at 555 Valley Road, West Orange, NJ 07052. The theatre is handicapped accessible and offers assistive listening devices.