39 DEFAULTS World Premiere at TeatroStageFest

A tale of political activism on both sides of the Atlantic is a highlight of the Latino International Theater Festival of New York (June 1-25)

New York, NY - June 5, 2012: 39 Defaults by Spain's Mar Gomez-Glez will have its official World Premiere at TeatroStageFest 2012: Celebrate New York Latino Scene, the sixth edition of the Latino International Theater Festival of New York. The New York based Fifth Wall Theater will present four performances of the play over the course of three days: Sunday, June 17 at 4pm and 7pm, and on Tuesday, June 19 and Wednesday, June 20 at 7pm. Casa Mezcal, the trendy restaurant and burgeoning center for Latino culture that features music, theatre and dance in Downtown Manhattan will provide the apartment-like setting for 39 Defaults to ensure that audiences sitting in close proximity of the play's action will have a near voyeuristic experience.     About 39 Defaults In 39 Defaults, a Catalan political activist on the run from the law is invited by an American woman into her New York apartment. In this intimate living room shared by audiences and actors, attraction battles suspicion, and the fractured encounter between the characters prompts the question: is trust really possible in an era when hospitality meets surveillance? The play is based on the real-life Enric Durán, also known as Robin Bank, a Catalan activist that announced he "robbed" dozens of Spanish banks, from which he took nearly 500.000 euros in loans, as part of a political action. 39 Defaults was developed by the company through a series of work-in-progress performances that were held in actual private apartments throughout NYC.   About Fifth Wall Theater Fifth Wall Theater, an international company based in New York, with members from 3 different countries: Spain, Argentina and the United States, that is dedicated to creating innovative and unique theater experiences. The play was written by the award-winning playwright Mar Gomez Glez, whose last work, Wearing Lorca's Bowtie, premiered Off-Broadway at The Duke Theater and was described as "sincere, impressionistic... powerful" by Backstage. The piece is directed by Argentinian/American director Julian Mesri, a Van Lier Fellow at Repertorio Español (ACE Nominee, Best Director) as well as a current Emerging Artist of Color Fellow at New York Theatre Workshop. The cast includes: Pep Muñoz, a Spanish actor who has worked with renowned theater companies in Spain, and is currently a featured actor at Repertorio Español. Kelly McGrath began her career in Chicago and Las Vegas with The Second City, and in NY, has trained and performed at T. Schreiber Studio and improvised at The Magnet and The P.I.T. The Production is by Laura Madera, an independent arts manager with La MaMa ETC and the Consulate of Spain in New York. Feli Lamenca is the set designer and María Ladero, the stage manager. About TeatroStageFest TeatroStageFest continues with its sixth annual celebration of Latino Arts and Culture under the slogan "Celebrate the NY Latino Scene." Upcoming shows include: 39 Defaults by Fifth Wall Theater, as well as Sudden Death by Bridge Playhouse. For children: The Golden Cacao Bean by FELT and Alita the Show by Solo2 Company. Concerts will showcase Spain's Javier Moreno Trio and Limón Dance Company. Bird from Mexico will be performed in Clown style, and the festival will also feature a staged reading and master classes by Argentina's most successful playwrights/directors. The Huffington Post recently recognized TeatroStageFest as "one of nine can't-miss arts and culture events happening ... across the country this summer" (Summer Arts Preview: 9 Great Latino Exhibits And Performances Across America - May 27, 2012

When: ●      Sunday 17  at 4pm and 7pm ●      Tuesday 19 at 7pm ●      Wednesday 20 at 7pm   Where: Casa Mezcal  www.casamezcalny.com A: 86 Orchard Street, New York T: (212) 777-2600                                                  How much: ●      Regular Ticket: $20; ●      Students Ticket: $15; Box office: http://39-defaults.eventbrite.com   Publicity photos by: Ke-Shan Hsu More information about the play and company: http://fifthwalltheater.wordpress.com/ Further questions: Laura Madera - fifthwalltheater@gmail.com