Príncipe y Príncipe

Translated/Adapted & Directed by El Chelito
from the play by Perla Szuchmacher
based on the book King & King by Linda De Haan & Stern Nijland
Produced by GALA Hispanic Theater
World Premiere

Featuring: Rodin Alcerro, Delbis Cardona, Sam Fromkin, Luz Nicolas, Cristina Sanchez
Scenic Design: Megan Holden
Props Design: Amy Kellett
Costume Design: Alison Samantha Johnson
Lighting Design: Hailey LaRoe
Sound Design: navi
Choreography: Aldo Ortega
Stage Manager: Justine Morris
Run Crew: Alyssa Hill & Rukiya Henry-Fields
Production Manager: P. Vanessa Losada
Venue: GALA Hispanic Theater

Press & Recognition

“Throughout its 60-minute run, Príncipe is delightfully whimsical in every way. El Chelito’s directorial prowess and experience with children’s theater are on full display as each scene is captivating and filled with fairytale wonder. Under his guidance, Príncipe flourishes beautifully and captures all the best qualities of children’s theater — childlike simplicity and heartwarming storytelling. His direction elevates the play’s otherwise simple story to delightful new heights as Príncipe charms even the adult members of its audience with its infectious energy and character-driven theatrics.” — DC Theater Arts

“…delightfully adapted and directed by El Chelito. I imagine that the creative process’s goal was to make each moment a lot of fun, because the production was endlessly cheerful. El Chelito found brilliant ways to directly engage the young audience, from a silly English lesson with multilingual puns to a whimsical princess matchmaking competition. The comedic style was fantastically executed, with heightened physicality, lusciously colorful expressiveness, and bold, energetic blocking. As a whole, the production was incredibly enjoyable and hilarious, but I also want to acknowledge how moving the piece is. El Chelito was skillfully able to convey mature truth in a youthful presentation.” — UnProfessional Opinion

“Filled with music, dancing, and irreverent humor, Príncipe y Príncipe otherwise engages and amuses by not fitting the narrow standards of typical “Once upon a time” fare. El Chelito calls the show “an homage to the classic fairy tale tropes, but with contemporary twists and touches — the fact that the prince falls in love with another prince being one of them.” And he hopes the show can enlighten not just the kids in the audience but the adults who bring them. “I’ve been thinking a lot about who I was when I was the age of the audience, and what stories might have helped me to accept myself fully at a younger age,” says El Chelito. “What representation in media could have been helpful or beneficial to open up, not necessarily that place of questioning or curiosity, but to open up that place of self-love and acceptance.” — Metro Weekly

“…where I find the heart of the play to be is the scene where the two titular princes meet. In the original script that I received, which was written by Perla Szuchmacher, all it says in that script is “escena entre los príncipes.” That’s it. In starting to adapt the play, I thought to myself, what might love at first sight look like? I immediately went to dance and started to draw from classic fairy tales of my youth: “Beauty and the Beast,” for example, or the Disney canon, and also Old Hollywood-style musicals to create a dream-waltzy quality.” — Hola Cultura

Photos by Shalev “Stan” Weinstein