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Preview performance tickets at $25. Prices go up for all performances after May 5, 2024.
Starting May 2, 2024
An Original Pregones/PRTT Music Theater Production
Book and Lyrics by Alvan Colón Lespier
Additional texts by Emily Dickinson and F. Scott Fitzgerald
Music by Desmar Guevara
Directed by Leyma López
Featuring: Bryan J. Cortés, Danny Lemache, Anna C. Malavé-Rolón, Jesús E. Martínez, Diana Pou, Jay Romero, Gabriela Saker. Musicians: Desmar Guevara, Frankie Leroux.
Lighting Design Lucrecia Briceño & Emmanuel Delgado, Projections Design Eamonn Farrell, Sound Design Eduardo Reséndiz, Set Design Pedro Guevara, Costume Design Oriana Sophia, Choreography Veraalba Santa, Script Supervisor Alejandra Ramos Riera, Production Manager Jessica Moya, Stage Manager Tala Munsterman, ASM Joyce M. Báez.
The Desire of the Astronaut explores the enduring myth and popular iconography of the astronaut through the fictional story of Esteban Only, the last Boricua in space. Drifting on a dying spacecraft with only intermittent contact with Earth, Esteban undertakes repairs that may facilitate his rescue or accelerate his court martial on grounds of insubordination.
Artwork for The Desire of the Astronaut by Jeison Rivera.
About the new 2024 staging:
This highlight of our 2024 Spring Season also serves as a capstone to Associate Artistic Director Alvan Colón Lespier’s four decade tenure with Pregones. Re-imagined for the stage at The Puerto Rican Traveling Theater, the production boasts an entirely new design, new musical arrangements and a new cast of performers.
Inspired by autobiographical accounts and actual training missions by NASA personnel, and rich with the sights, sounds, and surprises of classic science fiction.
The Desire of the Astronaut conveys longing, fear, despair and love, while in extended periods of isolation in a hostile environment. It probes physical thrills and depths of emotion known only to those who have experienced zero gravity and extreme isolation through space travel.
The Story: Stranded in the U.S. Wanderer, an old space station locked in orbit around the planet Mars, Esteban Only’s only human —via intermittent, static-ridden radio communications— is fellow astronaut Emily Kinson, whom he hopes will help him find his way back home to Earth. When her voice breaks through the noise one last time, does it bring the news he so desires?
Of the 2023 new and re-envisioned staging, Alvan Colón Lespier shares:
“Today more than ever, bringing a formidable idea to the theater stage requires focus, imagination, and good friends. The Desire of the Astronaut has been a true collaborative process just like all the works I have been fortunate to helm at Pregones over the past 40 years. In this case the task would have not been possible without the creative output of composer Desmar Guevara, the skilled vision of director Leyma López, and two formidable allies that have also accompanied me on this journey: Emily Dickinson and Francis Scott Fitzgerald. Above all, I am proud to say this production is grounded on the aesthetics of Pregones Ensemble, influenced by the collective creation process that I first encountered in Latin American and Caribbean theater.”
Performed in English and Spanish with titles.
Duration: 1 hour and 10 minutes, with no intermission.
Special Discounts!
In-person performances at
THE PUERTO RICAN TRAVELING THEATER
304 W 47th St, between 8th & 9th Avenues
in Manhattan
Buy your tickets early online. Link below or at top of page.
GENERAL TICKETS: Starting at $25
Photos from The Desire of the Astronaut archives:
BEST PRICES: BECOME A MEMBER and get deep savings for the entire season! When you buy a one year $45 tax-deductible membership to Pregones/PRTT you obtain 25% discount for up to two (2) tickets per event this season.
New! TICKET BUNDLES: See both of our remaining Mainstage shows and save — available now by phone only 718-585-1202. Previews Bundle $46: 1 (one) Orchestra Ticket for each of 2 (two) Spring Mainstage productions on first week of performances; two (2) tickets total. Premium Bundle $70: 1 (one) Premium Orchestra Ticket for each of 2 (two) Spring Mainstage productions on any other week of performances; two (2) tickets total. Please note: Bundles are not tax deductible. Other offers and discounts do not apply.
GROUPS of 10 or more: $20 per ticket! Phone reservations/purchases only. Some date restrictions may apply. 718-585-1202
OTHER OFFERS AND DISCOUNTS: Zip Tickets—in person purchase and proof of residence required, Seniors, Students
For more details call us at 718-585-1202
ALVAN COLÓN LESPIER, (Book, Lyrics, Direction), is a seasoned stage director, playwright, actor, producer, and educator with over 40 years experience in the performing arts. He plays a key role in the development of Pregones/PRTT’s ensemble, original repertory, presenting season, and two professional facilities. He is the organization’s main curator of music programs and visual art exhibits, with depth of knowledge in all relevant theater production areas. His work as a mentor to younger artists and technicians includes projects with Theatre Communications Group, Alternate ROOTS, Network of Ensemble Theaters, Alliance of Teatros Latinos/New York, and En Foco, the Bronx-based nonprofit for cultural diversity in photography. Merit distinctions include a Ford Foundation Visionaries Fellowship and the LP21 Maestro Award. He is a frequent collaborator with National Performance Network, and past member of the Board of Directors of the Alliance of Resident Theatres/New York.
DESMAR GUEVARA, Resident Composer and Musical Director of Pregones/PRTT, is a recognized champion of new music idioms in Latin jazz, a composer of experimental and non-traditional music for live theater and film, and an in-demand pianist with numerous concert, touring, and recording credits. He has composed, arranged, and music directed dozens of ensemble theater productions of varying scale, from chamber to Off-Broadway. He is founding director of chamber jazz ensemble Taller Sicá, founding member of Afro Puerto Rican ensemble Viento de Agua, and has collaborated with many musical luminaries including Tito Puente, Celia Cruz, Tito Nieves, Xiomara Fortuna, Andy Montañez, Soledad Bravo, and Danny Rivera. Recent premieres include Grados Inefables, which delves into the esoteric symbolism and philosophies of Freemasonry, co-commissioned by arts presenters in New York, Colorado, and California.
PRODUCTION CREDITS:
An original Pregones/PRTT Music Theater Production
Book and Lyrics by Alvan Colón Lespier
Additional texts by Emily Dickinson and F. Scott Fitzgerald
Music by Desmar Guevara
Directed by Leyma López
Featuring: Pregones Theater Ensemble
Musicians: Pregones Musical Ensemble led by Desmar Guevara
Lighting by Lucrecia Briceño
Projections by Eamonn Farrell
Production Manager: Jessica Moya
ACTORS’ EQUITY ASSOCIATION – THE ACTORS AND STAGE MANAGERS EMPLOYED IN THIS PRODUCTION ARE MEMBERS OF ACTORS’ EQUITY ASSOCIATION, THE UNION OF PROFESSIONAL ACTORS AND STAGE MANAGERS IN THE UNITED STATES. THIS THEATER OPERATES UNDER AN ACTORS’ EQUITY ASSOCIATION OFF-BROADWAY NYC-LOA.
Pregones/Puerto Rican Traveling Theater (aka Pregones/PRTT) is a multigenerational performing ensemble, multidiscipline arts presenter, and owner/steward of bilingual arts facilities in The Bronx and Manhattan. Our mission is to champion a Puerto Rican/Latinx cultural legacy of universal value through creation and performance of original plays and musicals, exchange and partnership with other artists of merit, and engagement of diverse audiences.
PLEASE NOTE: Face masks are suggested but not required for this event. By purchasing a ticket or asking for entry to our events, you agree to abide by this rule.
If you have a sore throat, are feeling sick in any other way, or have been recently exposed to COVID-19, we kindly ask that you stay home. We will gladly exchange your tickets to a different date, pending availability.
This production of Pregones/PRTT’s The Desire of the Astronaut is generously funded by the Axe-Houghton Foundation. Our Mainstage is also generously funded by Ford Foundation, Howard Gilman Foundation, Shubert Foundation, and Scherman Foundation. Programs also made possible, in part, with public funds from the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency; New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the City Council; and New York State Council on the Arts, with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature. For a full list of our funders, please visit www.pregonesprtt.org
Puerto Rican Traveling Theater
304 W 47th St (b/w 8th & 9th Avenues)
New York, NY 1036
Trains # 1, C, E to 50th Street
For more information call us at 718-585-1202
GET TICKETS!
Tickets starting at $25!
Event Details
Location
The Puerto Rican Traveling Theater
304 W 47th St, New York, NY 10036Date & Time
Starting May 2, 2024
Thu @ 7:00PM
Fri @ 8:00PM
Sat @ 3:00PM & 8:00PM
Sun @ 3:00PMCollaborators
Book and Lyrics by
Alvan Colón LespierAdditional texts by
Emily Dickinson and F. Scott FitzgeraldMusic by
Desmar GuevaraDirected by
Leyma LópezFeaturing
Bryan J. Cortés
Danny Lemache
Anna C. Malavé-Rolón
Jesús E. Martínez
Diana Pou
Jay Romero
Gabriela SakerMusicians
Desmar Guevara
Frankie T. LerouxLighting by
Lucrecia Briceño &
Emmanuel DelgadoProjections by
Eamonn FarrellSound Design
Eduardo ReséndizCostume Design
Oriana SophiaSet Design
Pedro GuevaraChoreography
Veraalba SantaScript Supervisor
Alejandra Ramos RieraProduction Manager
Jessica MoyaStage Manager
Tala MunstermanASM
Joyce BaezProduction Assistant
Majo FerruchoLighting Programmer
Lee Anne MeeksMaster Electrician
Michael CahillElectricians
Cait Simonton
Jordan Barnett
Brennan Desautelle
Finn Weeks
Erin Harkins
Julia MansurSound A2
Danny HernándezSound A2 sub
Jake VázquezCostume Assistant
Eliana YostWardrobe Maintenance
Yenni SánchezSupertitles
Hector CardonaGraphic Design
Jeison Rivera
ACTORS’ EQUITY ASSOCIATION – The actors and stage managers employed in this production are members of actors’ equity association, the union of professional actors and stage managers in the United States. This Theater operates under an Actors’ Equity Association Off-Broadway NYC-LOA.