WAITING FOR CALLAS TO SING: AWARD-WINNING PLAY

Waiting for Callas to Sing . . . by Homer Barrera

PRESS RELEASE
CONTACT: Hebe Barrera
(818) 368-6770, [email protected]
June 17, 2013
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Waiting for Callas to Sing, by Homer Barrera
Saturdays, June 22 and 29, 9:00 P.M.
Studio C Artists, 6448 Santa Monica Boulevard, Theatre Row, Hollywood
Tickets: $12.00 at www.hollywoodfringe.org/projects/1386 , (323) 455-4585, or at door

Waiting for Callas to Sing, a play by Homer Barrera, was awarded First Prize in the Nosotros New Playwright Competition of 1997. In the Nosotros production, the role of Lucy was created by the late great pioneering actress of stage, television, and film — Lupe Ontiveros.

The current production is presented in memory of Ms.Ontiveros, born Guadalupe Moreno, in Texas, who passed away last year. Family, friends, and the community of fans were deeply saddened by her passing. Lamentably, Ms. Ontiveros’ passing was not noted in the 2013 Academy Awards Presentation remembrances of industry people who had died in 2012, an inadvertently ironic symbol perhaps of how truly she continues to live and resonate in our hearts and lives today.

During her extensive career, Ms. Ontiveros was nominated for an Emmy Award as Best Guest Actress in a Comedy Series for her role as Juanita “Maria” Solis on Desperate Housewives. For her role as Beverly Franco in Chuck and Buck, she was doubly recognized: she won the National Board of Review award for Best Supporting Actress and she was also nominated for an Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture (2000). She also appeared as Nora in the Academy Award winning film, As Good As It Gets, which starred Jack Nicholson. Her performance as a seamstress in Real Women Have Curves won her and co-star America Ferrera a Special Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival. A recurrent guest on the series, Veronica’s Closet, Ms. Ontiveros won an ALMA Award in 1998 for her work on the show.

Another outstanding role was her portrayal of Yolanda Saldivar, the woman convicted of killing Tejano superstar Selena in the 1997 film of the singer’s life, Selena. Ms. Ontiveros played an early pioneering role as Dolores in Luis Valdez’ historic play, Zoot Suit, both in film and on Broadway. Her favorite among her many films was her role as a seamstress/maid who mentors a newly-arrived immigrant girl from Guatemala in the Gregory Nava film, El norte.

Ms. Ontiveros received a Lifetime Impact Achievement Award from the National Hispanic Media Coalition. The Awards recognize outstanding contributions to the positive portrayal of Latinos in media. Ms. Ontiveros advocated tirelessly for many causes, including G.L.A.D. (Greater Los Angeles Agency on Deafness, Inc.), United Farm Workers, AARP, the Latino Commission on Aids, and the Latino Theatre Company in Los Angeles. Other endeavors included promoting higher education for Latinos by promoting scholarships and access to scholarship information and by supporting MALDEF (Mexican-American Legal Defense and Education Fund). Ms. Ontinveros graduated from Texas Women’s University in Denton, Texas, and worked as a social worker in Los Angeles for many years.

Ms. Ontiveros created the role of Lucy in the 1997 production of Waiting for Callas to Sing at Nosotros, under the direction of Mike Gomez, playing opposite Efrain Figueroa (“Tony”). We are proud to dedicate the current production to the memory of a great pioneer, Lupe Ontiveros.

####