Juan Ramirez Jr.’s Calling Puerto Rico: For the Island and to Hope

Set in both the Bronx NY and Puerto Rico during the events of Hurricane Maria, the new work explores effects of the impacts of Hurricane Maria on the people and communities both on the island and their families in the US before, during and after the storm hit.

WATERBURY, CONNECTICUT — Pa’lante Theater Company (PTC), Connecticut’s first and only Afro-Latine Black Box theater company, presents Juan Ramirez Jr.’s Calling Puerto Rico: For the Island and to Hope. The production, a world premiere in association with and at the historic and award winning Seven Angels Theatre, 1 Plank Road, Waterbury, CT, runs February 17 through February 26 and is described as follows:

In New York City, Joel is an amatuer radio operator who has not been out of his attic apartment for about a year. He gets news about Tropical Storm Maria and the potential it has to harm Puerto Rico. Worried, he decides to reach out over the radio to a man he hasn’t spoken to in a long time, his grandfather, Aníbal.

Juan Ramirez Jr. is an internationally produced, award-winning playwright, monologist, screenwriter, actor, director, filmmaker, producer and poet. Whether writing about larger-than-life characters with relatable problems or relatable characters with larger-than-life problems, his work seeks out truth. If you ever want to learn about yourself, the journey must be as important as the answer. You can find his work on Stage Agent, New Play Exchange and Amazon self publishing. He also has monologues on MonologueBank. As a screenwriter and TV writer, he has scripts in various genres, from drama to horror to half-hour comedies and one hour dramas.

“My play Calling Puerto Rico is meant to do exactly what the title suggests, a calling to my people. And the only way to present this play, is with love. Rafael and Pa'lante Theater act on this same mission, because "Pa'lante" means to go forward and that's exactly where our stories need to go. Meeting Rafael for the first time was like discovering a brother you never knew you had but your heart was always aware of. I am forever in support to anyone that actively chooses to uplift my community, especially by establishing a welcoming home. Hope to see you there. The doors are open.” - said Ramirez, playwright of "Calling Puerto Rico", who will be available for Q&A after shows on the 25th and 26th of February.

CAST & CREATIVE
The cast is comprised of five actors, each of whom are making their respective Pa’lante Theater Company debuts: Rabel Bueno (Hartford, Stage/Theatre Debut, Film Actor,) as Joel, Fior Rodriguez (CT Theater Actor, Miami Native) as Melosa, Jeffrey Rossman (2016 BroadwayWorld.com Nominee for Best Actor in a Play) as Anibal, Betzabeth Gonzalez (CT Based Actor, Singer, and Teaching Artist) as Debra, and Cameron Hudson (Western Mass Film Maker, Stage/Theater Debut) as Rolan.
Calling Puerto Rico is helmed by Rafael Feliciano-Roman, a Waterbury Native grew up in and fell in love with theater at a young age. He is also the Artistic Director and Founder of Pa’lante Theater Company and the Afro Caribbean Cultural Center. This is Rafael's directorial debut, although he has acted and served in the production side of several regional theater productions throughout the city, state and country.
Joining Feliciano-Roman on the creative team are Costume/Scenic Designer Zelest Caraballo, Lighting Designer Jimmy Donohue (of Seven Angels Theatre), Company Manager & Sound Designer Angelica Huertas, Production Support and Expertise Seven Angels Theatre.
COLLABORATION BETWEEN PA’LANTE & SEVEN ANGELS THEATRE
Pa’lante Theater Company is pleased to collaborate with Seven Angels Theatre who is serving as the 2023 Presenting Sponsor. "Theater and arts need to be reflective of the community in which it lives," said Feliciano-Roman. “Seven Angels is allowing us the opportunity to have our stories told by those who are living it.” The season will also include the Afro Latino Film Festival and Viva Broadway - Waterbury, a musical theater review of Afro-Latin Musicals.
GIVING BACK TO PUERTO RICO
A portion of any proceeds from ticket sales from Calling Puerto Rico will be donated to CT Helps Puerto Rico, a Connecticut fund that helps the island of Puerto Rico after hurricanes. Most recently Hurricane Fiona.
Calling Puerto Rico: For the Island and to Hope, runs from February 17, 2023 through February 16, 2023 at Seven Angels Theatre. Tickets are available at taino-nation.org/palantetheater or by calling Seven Angels Theatre Box Office at 203-757-4676.