PRESS RELEASE: Playwright Sandra Rodríguez to Present Reading of Her Play, Evelina’s Heart, About Puerto Rican Activist Evelina Antonetty During Centennial Celebration

September 14, 2022by Amillie Coster0

Bronx, NY, Sept. 8–

Evelina’s Heart, a play by Puerto Rican actor, director, and writer Sandra Nía Rodríguez, returns to the Bronx as a collection of scenes to be stage read at Hostos College Community College (450 Grand Concourse, Bronx) on September 14 at 7PM EST during the week-long Evelina Antonetty Centennial Celebration.

Evelina’s Heart, is a tribute to the iconic Puerto Rican activist who was one of the most effective and impactful leaders of the Puerto Rican diaspora in the twentieth century. Originally produced by LEFT under the leadership of Leticia Rodríguez and directed by Gloria Zelaya, the play premiered in 2001, and was presented at several stages throughout New York City.

“When I was asked if I would perform Evelina’s Heart for the Centennial, I was honored, especially because I didn’t think anyone would remember the play after twenty years,” says Rodríguez. “But Elba Cabrera, Evelina’s sister, even quoted a line from the play in our meeting. I still remember it: ‘God a woman…Of course she had to be a woman!’”

Rodríguez has been selected as one of the writers for the Puerto Rican Literature Project led by Poet Laureate Raquel Salas Rivera. Next December she will be presenting her poetry along with fourteen other Puerto Rican poets at the Whitney Museum as part of the exhibition There is no Post-hurricane World: Puerto Rican Art in the Wake of Hurricane María.

The Centennial reading, directed by Angel Morales, Director of the Hostos Repertory Company, will feature some original music composed by Rodríguez with musical arrangements by Javier (Javo) Grant Bassat.

The performance will be held in the second-floor performance space. Admission is free.

Transportation: IRT 2, 4, 5, Bx1, Bx19 to the Grand Concourse and East 149 St, Bronx. Information: 917-691-7887. Evelina100.org.

###

Over 20 organizations based in The Bronx, Manhattan and Puerto Rico will join forces September 12-19. to celebrate the centennial of Evelina Antonetty, one of the most impactful activists of the Puerto Rican diaspora of the 20th century.

For inquiries please contact:

Nydia R. Edgecombe Ph.D., Chair-Evelina 100: (917) 691-7887 evelina100centennial@gmail.com

Wallace Edgecombe, Vice Chair, Cultural & Arts Evelina 100 (914) 659-7292 wallacee9@gmail.com

Amillie Coster, Chair Communications- Evelina 100 (413) 854-5611 amilliedelphina@gmail.com

Share on:

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *