Queens Theatre is adding four new performances of the award-winning play, “Eight Tales of Pedro,” which will now run from Friday, May 5, through Sunday, May 14.
“Eight Tales of Pedro,” written by Woodside-based playwright Mark-Eugene Garcia and featuring music by Luis D’Elias, is set both in 17th century Mexico, as Pedro and his companions travel from a small Oaxacan port town into the fabled Veracruz, and in present day Mexico, as a van full of immigrants crosses the border. In this adventurous tale, the two storytellers risk everything, as their lives and plots intertwine.
“’Eight Tales’ is a powerful story about the power of storytelling, brought to life by a vibrant and passionate artistic team and cast,” said Queens Theatre Executive Director Taryn Sacramone. “The reading we presented through our NAV reading series was magical — the energy in the room was incredible, and we’ve been looking forward to bringing it back as a full production with a multi-week run.”
“Eight Tales of Pedro” is directed by Rodrigo Ernesto Bolaños and features an all-Latine cast including Laura Aguinaga (“Shades of Blue,” ABC), Richard Calvache, María Renée Lavalle, Federico Mallet, Andy Price and Stephen Santana. The six actors retell eight classic Spanish folktales exploring what it means to be Latine today while also depicting the timelessness of Spanish and Latin American culture.
“The recent socio-political climate in the country played a significant role in the show’s success,” Garcia said. “Pedro is a hero. I believe a hero appears when you need him. We are in a time when pride in our heritage is more important than ever. I believe we need a hero to remind us that in heritage there is honor, family and hope.”
Published and licensed through Theatrical Rights Worldwide, “Eight Tales of Pedro” is the winner of two New York Innovative Theatre Awards and the 2018 UnFringed Festival Best of the Festival Prize. “Eight Tales of Pedro” has been featured at the Secret Theatre (2018) and was part of Queens Theatre’s play developmental series, New American Voices (NAV) in 2022.
Tickets for Eight Tales of Pedro are $20 or four for $75 with code 4FOR75.
The the May 5 performance will have open captioning in Spanish, and the May 7 performance will be audio described.
For more information, visit queenstheatre.org/event/eight-tales-of-pedro.
