7th Chicago International Latino Theater Festival opens Oct. 11

Subtext Studio Theatre Company’s Que Te Vaya Bien, Part of Destinos: 7th Chicago International Latino Theater Festival Opens October 11th at Greenhouse Theater Center

Subtext Studio Theatre Company (SSTC) announces the first production of Season Two: Generations featuring the world premiere play Que Te Vaya Bienby Artistic Director Omar Vicente Fernandez, as part of Destinos: 7th Chicago International Latino Theater Festival.

Set in Wrigley Field during a Cubs game, Que Te Vaya Bien is a dramedy tells the story of Elias, a young man on a journey toward reconciliation with his father Mario. After learning that his wife is pregnant, Elias is plagued by doubts about his ability to be a good father.

He goes to Wrigley Field to face his fears and finally talk to his father about the childhood experiences that followed him into adulthood. Told with humor and heart, Que Te Vaya Bien is a universal story that illustrates that no matter where you are from, all families share the same discordant expectations and disconnects.

The design team includes Oriol Vélez Marimon, Harrison Ornelas, Zuzel Garcia, Gina Montalvo, Paloma Lozano, Maria Arreola, and Jean Gottlieb. Press opening is on Friday, October 11, at 7:30 p.m. The run time is approximately 90 minutes (about 3 hours) with no intermission. All shows are performed in English with Spanish subtitles.

International Latino Theater Festival 2024

Que Te Vaya Bien runs from October 10-27, 2023, at The Greenhouse Theater Center, located at 2257 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60614-3717, in Studio 44.

The preview is on Thursday, October 10, at 7:30 p.m., with the press opening on Friday, October 11, at 7:30 p.m. Showtimes are Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. Post-show discussions will be held after the October 11, 7:30 p.m. performance for the Destinos Festival opening (including a cast Q&A) and after the October 26, 2:30 p.m. performance, both facilitated by Emmanuel Flores.

General Admission Tickets are $24 for adults and $14 for students, seniors, and military personnel with ID. Tickets are available at the Greenhouse Theater Center Box Office, on https://www.greenhousetheater.org/ or by calling (773) 404-7336. Parking validation is available for the Lincoln Commons Garage at 2316 N Lincoln Ave—just bring your ticket to the Box Office before the show. The Greenhouse Theater Center has partnered with ParkWhiz for easy and affordable parking. See the GTC website for details. Public transportation options include the Red Line or Brown Line El.

The Chicago Latino Theater Alliance (CLATA) advocates for Latine theater in Chicago, supporting emerging and established Latine playwrights, actors, directors, and theater professionals. CLATA’s mission is to foster a vibrant and inclusive theater community that celebrates and promotes the richness of Latinidad. Their signature program, Destinos, the Chicago International Latino Theater Festival, runs from September 30 to November 12, showcasing 22 productions from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, the U.S., and Chicago at theaters citywide. For tickets and more information, visit clata.org, or follow CLATA on Facebook, Instagram, and Threads at @latinotheater.

Omar Vicente Fernandez (he/him/el) (Playwright) is a Mexican American artist born in Chicago and raised in Berwyn, Illinois. As a playwright, Omar focuses on identity and the new generation of art in America. His directing credits include The American Dream by Juan Ramirez, Jr. as part of the 6th Annual Destinos Festival; What Earth Does While You’re Sleeping by Alaric Hinchcliffe; Not A Christmas Carol, which he adapted for the stage; Sex, Alchemy, and Mayan Mischief by William Gregory (2nd Annual Inicios Festival with the Chicago Latino Theatre Alliance); and Qualia (Midwest Premiere) by Ashleigh Ann Gardner.

In 2021, Fernandez, along with fellow UIC students, founded the original Subtext Studio to provide opportunities for emerging BIPOC and LGBTQ+ artists. In December 2022, he created Subtext Studio Theatre Company by merging the resources and missions of Subtext Studio and Dragonfly Theatre Company, which was established in 2020 to provide an artistic outlet during the pandemic.

Octavio Montes De Oca (he/him) (Director) is a multi-hyphenate theatre artist based in Chicago. As a first-generation Mexican- American, he is passionate about Latine stories that draw from ethnography, dance, and devised work. He is a proud company member of the Albany Park Theater Project and an Associate Producer with Subtext Studio Theatre Company. Octavio is a graduate of the BFA Acting Program at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

SSTC is partially supported by the Illinois Arts Council Agency, the National Endowment for the Arts, Paul M Angell Foundation, CLATA, and ComEd Powering the Arts.

SSTC is committed to diversity and inclusion, ensuring no discrimination in participation or employment based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or military and veteran status. SSTC believes that diversity and inclusion are essential for societal success and respects and seeks to empower each individual while supporting diverse cultures, perspectives, skills, and experiences.

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