ABOUT THE PLAY
The time is October 1976. The place is the IMPROV comedy club in New York City. Freddie is giving one of his last performances, just a few months before his death. Moving back and forth between the stage and the dressing room of the IMPROV, Sonera interlaces Prinze's best comedy sets with original monologues that illuminate the life of the late comedian.
PRINZE is an extraordinary, genre-defining play that delves into the psyche of one of America’s pioneering Latino comedians and TV Stars, Freddie Prinze. PRINZE is written and performed by Jose Sonera, who takes the audience on the roller-coaster ride of emotions during the months leading up to Prinze’s suicide in January of 1977. Set at the Improv Theatre, Sonera blurs the lines between one-man play and stand-up comedy routine.
Prinze, like Sonera, was a Puerto Rican actor/comedian who grew up on the streets of New York and is credited as paving the way for Mr. George Lopez and other prominent Latino comedians and TV Actors today. This gripping 90-minute play takes us on a non-stop journey of a man dealing with depression, drug abuse, the ups and downs of Hollywood, and the cruelty of the tabloid press. PRINZE boldly addresses issues of racism, cultural discord and identity crisis, as well as socio- political issues that are still at the forefront of the American mindset today. Sonera effortlessly weaves a tapestry of Prinze’s comedy sets of the 70s with captivating original monologues that illuminate the soul of this legendary comedian.
PRINZE is an extraordinary, genre-defining play that delves into the psyche of one of America’s pioneering Latino comedians and TV Stars, Freddie Prinze. PRINZE is written and performed by Jose Sonera, who takes the audience on the roller-coaster ride of emotions during the months leading up to Prinze’s suicide in January of 1977. Set at the Improv Theatre, Sonera blurs the lines between one-man play and stand-up comedy routine.
Prinze, like Sonera, was a Puerto Rican actor/comedian who grew up on the streets of New York and is credited as paving the way for Mr. George Lopez and other prominent Latino comedians and TV Actors today. This gripping 90-minute play takes us on a non-stop journey of a man dealing with depression, drug abuse, the ups and downs of Hollywood, and the cruelty of the tabloid press. PRINZE boldly addresses issues of racism, cultural discord and identity crisis, as well as socio- political issues that are still at the forefront of the American mindset today. Sonera effortlessly weaves a tapestry of Prinze’s comedy sets of the 70s with captivating original monologues that illuminate the soul of this legendary comedian.
CREATIVE TEAM
Jose Sonera (Actor/Writer/Producer) - is an actor born and raised in the hell’s kitchen area of NYC. He is a theatre alumni from LaGuardia High School of the Performing Arts, Lehman College (B.A.) and Brooklyn College (M.F.A.). He has appeared on NBC’s Law & Order, SiTV’s Unacceptable Behavior and has toured with the National Theatre of the Performing Arts in Don Quixote de la Mancha and Dandelion’s Much Ado About Nothing. PRINZE is a one man show written & performed by Jose based on the life of late comedic idol Freddie Prinze Sr. It has been his lifelong goal to finally tell the story of this forgotten iconic legend responsible for paving the way for so many Latinos in Hollywood. For information on Jose, please go to – http://josesonera.weebly.com/
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An interview with:
all about SOLO |
Melissa Linton
(Director / Producer) - Is a proud Pittsburgh native who chose to make her home in Brooklyn before it was a thing. She is an AEA /SAG member who has performed with NYC, regional and touring companies in shows like: Working, Jesus Christ Superstar, The Housedress and Blue Black. She recently played opposite Keanu Reeves in the thriller Exposed (LionsGate). Her love for directing began while pursuing a B.F.A at The Boston Conservatory where she was the Assistant Director for David Mamet’s, American Buffalo. The last several years she served as resident director for The BT Theater Company and has directed and produced over forty theatrical and musical producitons during her time there. Lots of love to her three favorite guys (Jaydin, Christian & Honeybear) and her two favorite Moms for their never ending support. To keep up with Melissa follow on Instagram@melissacardellolinton. Jeremiah 29:11
(Director / Producer) - Is a proud Pittsburgh native who chose to make her home in Brooklyn before it was a thing. She is an AEA /SAG member who has performed with NYC, regional and touring companies in shows like: Working, Jesus Christ Superstar, The Housedress and Blue Black. She recently played opposite Keanu Reeves in the thriller Exposed (LionsGate). Her love for directing began while pursuing a B.F.A at The Boston Conservatory where she was the Assistant Director for David Mamet’s, American Buffalo. The last several years she served as resident director for The BT Theater Company and has directed and produced over forty theatrical and musical producitons during her time there. Lots of love to her three favorite guys (Jaydin, Christian & Honeybear) and her two favorite Moms for their never ending support. To keep up with Melissa follow on Instagram@melissacardellolinton. Jeremiah 29:11
Christopher Ketner
(Producer) - Is a Tony Nominated producer for the Broadway musical Natasha, Pierre and The Great Comet of 1812,starring Josh Groban. 2017 marked his West End producing debut with the play Heisenberg, directed by two-time Tony Award winner Marianne Elliot. Ketner is also co- producing the West End Revival of Stephen Sondheim's Company starring Patti Lupone. He is a graduate of New York University.
(Producer) - Is a Tony Nominated producer for the Broadway musical Natasha, Pierre and The Great Comet of 1812,starring Josh Groban. 2017 marked his West End producing debut with the play Heisenberg, directed by two-time Tony Award winner Marianne Elliot. Ketner is also co- producing the West End Revival of Stephen Sondheim's Company starring Patti Lupone. He is a graduate of New York University.
Lisa Montalvo
(Costume Designer) - Is a Washington State native, of Puerto Rican and Irish descent, began designing clothes at a young age, making Halloween costumes with her mother, and destroying bed sheets to make skirts, and dresses she would wear to school. An interest in culture and history blossomed through her study and travels to Morocco, Italy, Spain, Mexico, Brazil, and many other countries, during independent and student exchanges. Her passion for storytelling, through costume design, intensified in the Theater Department of Humboldt State University, and calcified after graduation, while working and attending music and festivals in California and Nevada. Moving to New York City provided an opportunity to turn her passion into a career, as she now costume coordinates and designs in the film and television industry. Currently she is the Assistant Costume Designer for Investigation Discovery’s true crime documentary ‘A Crime to Remember’.
(Costume Designer) - Is a Washington State native, of Puerto Rican and Irish descent, began designing clothes at a young age, making Halloween costumes with her mother, and destroying bed sheets to make skirts, and dresses she would wear to school. An interest in culture and history blossomed through her study and travels to Morocco, Italy, Spain, Mexico, Brazil, and many other countries, during independent and student exchanges. Her passion for storytelling, through costume design, intensified in the Theater Department of Humboldt State University, and calcified after graduation, while working and attending music and festivals in California and Nevada. Moving to New York City provided an opportunity to turn her passion into a career, as she now costume coordinates and designs in the film and television industry. Currently she is the Assistant Costume Designer for Investigation Discovery’s true crime documentary ‘A Crime to Remember’.
J.Jared Janas
(Wig Design) - Broadway Designs include Bandstand, Indecent, Sunset Boulevard, The Visit, The Real Thing, Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill, Motown, The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess, All About Me, and Next to Normal. Recent Off-Broadway designs include Pacific Overtures, Bella, Venus, Yours Unfaithfully (Drama Desk Nomination), Dead Poets Society, and The Liar. Films include Angelicaand The Night Before. TV includes “Madam Secretary,” "Six by Sondheim," "Scream Queens," "Gotham," "Mozart in the Jungle," and "Inside Amy Schumer."
(Wig Design) - Broadway Designs include Bandstand, Indecent, Sunset Boulevard, The Visit, The Real Thing, Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill, Motown, The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess, All About Me, and Next to Normal. Recent Off-Broadway designs include Pacific Overtures, Bella, Venus, Yours Unfaithfully (Drama Desk Nomination), Dead Poets Society, and The Liar. Films include Angelicaand The Night Before. TV includes “Madam Secretary,” "Six by Sondheim," "Scream Queens," "Gotham," "Mozart in the Jungle," and "Inside Amy Schumer."
Weston G. Wetzel
(Lighting Designer) - Regional credits as lighting designer include; Evita (Westport Country Playhouse). Assistant lighting designer; 2013 Tony nominated production of The Nance (Broadway), Annie (Broadway) and Evita (Broadway). Assistant projection designer; 2013 Drama Desk Award of Wild Wippe Public Theater). Other regional credits aassistalighting designer include; Thunder Knocking on the Door, (Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park), Romeo et Juliette , Eugene Onegin, Cosi fon Tutte, (Los Angeles Opera). Assistant lighting designer; A Flowering Tree, Rigoletto, Eugene Onegin, The Magic Flute (Cincinnati Opera), POPESICAL (FringeNYC), King Lear (Titan Theatre Company), Junk: A Rock Opera (The Public Theater), Ashkon, Here in the Dark, Fiorious Live! UC-CCM, MFA and SFASU, BA. Follow @westongwetzel
(Lighting Designer) - Regional credits as lighting designer include; Evita (Westport Country Playhouse). Assistant lighting designer; 2013 Tony nominated production of The Nance (Broadway), Annie (Broadway) and Evita (Broadway). Assistant projection designer; 2013 Drama Desk Award of Wild Wippe Public Theater). Other regional credits aassistalighting designer include; Thunder Knocking on the Door, (Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park), Romeo et Juliette , Eugene Onegin, Cosi fon Tutte, (Los Angeles Opera). Assistant lighting designer; A Flowering Tree, Rigoletto, Eugene Onegin, The Magic Flute (Cincinnati Opera), POPESICAL (FringeNYC), King Lear (Titan Theatre Company), Junk: A Rock Opera (The Public Theater), Ashkon, Here in the Dark, Fiorious Live! UC-CCM, MFA and SFASU, BA. Follow @westongwetzel
Ashley Brown
(Stage Manager) - Is a dancer, choreographer and dance teacher at Brooklyn Prospect Charter School. She earned a BA in Child Development with a Theatre Minor from Spelman College and an MFA in Dance Performance and Choreography from Florida State University. She is the resident choreographer for the Brooklyn Tabernacle Dance Company and has been for the last 6 years. Ashley has worked as a stage manager with the Brooklyn Tabernacle Theatre Company on the production, "No Excuses," in Brooklyn and Bermuda.
(Stage Manager) - Is a dancer, choreographer and dance teacher at Brooklyn Prospect Charter School. She earned a BA in Child Development with a Theatre Minor from Spelman College and an MFA in Dance Performance and Choreography from Florida State University. She is the resident choreographer for the Brooklyn Tabernacle Dance Company and has been for the last 6 years. Ashley has worked as a stage manager with the Brooklyn Tabernacle Theatre Company on the production, "No Excuses," in Brooklyn and Bermuda.
Hannah Comedy
(Social Media Team) - Moved to New York City after graduating with a BFA from Samford University in Musical Theatre. Having performed with many regional and touring productions;(Sherrie in Rock of Ages, Lilly St. Regis in Annie and Ruby in Dames at Sea) she is very excited to be a part of the creative team for PRINZE and hopes to continue to be able to tell stories that the world needs to hear.
(Social Media Team) - Moved to New York City after graduating with a BFA from Samford University in Musical Theatre. Having performed with many regional and touring productions;(Sherrie in Rock of Ages, Lilly St. Regis in Annie and Ruby in Dames at Sea) she is very excited to be a part of the creative team for PRINZE and hopes to continue to be able to tell stories that the world needs to hear.
Kurler Warner
(Props/Assistant Set Designer) - Is a native of the multicultural islands of Trinidad and Tobago. She is the resident set designer for the BT Theater Company and over the past 15 years has designed numerous theatrical and musical productions, including some that have featured the six time Grammy award winning Brooklyn Tabernacle choir. She began her carrer in theater production as a stage mangager,but found that theater design was where her real passion lied. When she is not designing for the stage she can be found walking the runway in NYC and Paris. Kurler is a sought after fashion model and recently walked for NYC fashion week. She was also cast in Seven Seconds,starring Regina King on Netflix. Her other design credtis include; weddings,corporate events and concerts. She is the wife to the amazing Mr. Warner and Mom to three awesome human beings: Kaylin, Calah and Kaleigh. Follow @kurlz
(Props/Assistant Set Designer) - Is a native of the multicultural islands of Trinidad and Tobago. She is the resident set designer for the BT Theater Company and over the past 15 years has designed numerous theatrical and musical productions, including some that have featured the six time Grammy award winning Brooklyn Tabernacle choir. She began her carrer in theater production as a stage mangager,but found that theater design was where her real passion lied. When she is not designing for the stage she can be found walking the runway in NYC and Paris. Kurler is a sought after fashion model and recently walked for NYC fashion week. She was also cast in Seven Seconds,starring Regina King on Netflix. Her other design credtis include; weddings,corporate events and concerts. She is the wife to the amazing Mr. Warner and Mom to three awesome human beings: Kaylin, Calah and Kaleigh. Follow @kurlz
FRIGID (The Horse Trade Theatre) -
New York's continuing mission is to seek out new art, new artists, and new audiences. We do this by creating an accessible community of varied voices that value collaboration, resourcefulness, diversity and innovation. We provide a home for independent theater artists, we nurture their development, and we help to establish their careers by promoting their work to local, national, and international audiences. http://www.horsetrade.info/ |
All for One Theatre Company (SoCo workshop presentation) -
AFO Solo Collective (AFO|SoCo) nurtures the development of mid-career solo artists and their audiences, through cross-disciplinary exchange, peer-driven workshops, and panel discussions. AFO|SoCo was conceived in response to the lack of resources available to solo artists to develop their work in a non-commercial and non-results oriented workspace. It was created to provide a forum where pieces at all different stages of development could be nurtured and then shared publicly with a supportive audience of peers and collaborators. http://www.afo.nyc/afo-soco |