MUJERES on the Verge

[NoHo Arts District, CA] – Founding Artistic Director Josefina López and Executive Director Emmanuel Deleage proudly announce the 25th anniversary season of CASA 0101 Theater with the world premiere of MUJERES on the Verge (WOMEN ON THE VERGE), four original one-act plays by four bold Chicana playwrights in celebration of Women’s “HER”story Month from February 28 – March 23.

Discover what happens when life’s biggest challenges collide with ambition, humor, and heart. 

MUJERES on the Verge brings together four one-act plays that explore love, friendship, ambition and the unexpected turns in life. From former Pachucas reigniting an old rivalry Pleito to best friends sweating through menopause and tough choices The Fan Club, to a woman whose dreams of writing are sidelined by caregiving La Noche de Anoche, to a holiday gathering that unravels a lifetime of addiction La Mano de Dios.

Pleito (Fight) is written by Lindsey Haley (of Santa Monica) directed by Vilma Villela (of Panorama City) starring Carmelita Maldonaldo (of El Sereno) as Lupita Delgado, Myrna Velasco (of Santa Clarita) as Pauline, Jasia Topete (of Highland Park) as Jasmine, Saul Rodriguez (of Pico Rivera) as Mr. Montes, Alexandra Flores (of Montebello) as Mrs. Sanchez, Tricia Cruz (of Koreatown) as Mrs. Ramirez, Tina D’Marco (of Alhambra) as La Red and Alejandro Bravo (of Culver City) as Mr. DeLeon.  In Pleito former Pachucas and fierce Chicana seniors reunite to settle a decades-old feud over love, loyalty and a saxophonist who stole more than just a heart.  As old wounds resurface, one thing is clear – some rivalries never fade, they just get bolder.  Lindsey Haley said, “While taking playwriting classes at CASA 0101 Theater, Josefina López asked me if I had been a Chola, to which I responded, ‘yes.’  Josefina then gave me an idea about writing a play about Senior Cholas fighting with their walker and cane.  I ran with the idea and set the conflict of the play in 1965 when the two women were 18-years-old Pachucas, a precursor to Cholas.  Decades later, the women are now residents of an Assisted Living Home and are now forced to face the betrayal of the man they fell in love with and how he changed the trajectory of their lives.”

The Fan Club is written by Mariana Herrera (of El Sereno), directed by Karla Ojeda (of East Los Angeles) and stars Gisele Murillo (of Long Beach) as Sonia Gomez, Alejandro Bravo (of Culver City) as Marco, Myrna Velasco (of Santa Clarita) as Anna, Carmelita Maldonaldo (of El Sereno) as Terry, Tricia Cruz (of Koreatown) as Diana and Saul Rodriguez (of Pico Rivera) as Raul. In The Fan Club Sonia’s friends ascertain that the myriad of symptoms Sonia experiences may be signaling the onset of perimenopause.  Sonia must decide if she will grow her business or stay in a relationship. Mariana Herrera said:  “I was inspired to write about menopause when I arrived at a restaurant and noticed that all my friends were all fanning themselves simultaneously and discovered that they were all experiencing hot flashes.  I thought it would be funny to write about their experiences.”

 La Noche de Anoche (Last Night) is written by Maria G. Martinez (of Pico Rivera) directed by Jacquline Guido (of Whittier) starring Carmelita Maldonado (of El Sereno) as Maria, Alejandra Flores (of Montebello) as Luz and Ariana Raygoza (of Highland Park) as Vanessa.  La Noche de Anoche is the story of Maria who retires early to pursue her dreams of becoming a writer.  Maria’s dreams are derailed when she becomes a full-time caregiver for her mother, Luz.  The physical and emotional demands of caregiving come to a head when Vanessa, Maria’s daughter, visits and witnesses the changes in the family dynamics including the isolation of her mother, the absence of her father and the physical and emotional deterioration of her mother.  Maria’s resistance to remedy the situation addresses her overwhelming stress and anxiety that many caregivers experience.”  Maria G. Martinez said, “My personal experience taking care of my mother was my inspiration in writing this play.”

In La Mano De Dios (The Hand of God), a one-person show, written by and starring Raquel Salinas (of the Boyle Heights area of Los Angeles), directed Olivia Chumacero (of Los Angeles), a middle-aged woman attends a Christmas family gathering and finds no one at home.  The play takes the audience along the protagonist’s journey of alcohol addiction, beginning with her experiences as an innocent teenager who takes her first drink, to the continuous and unexpected appearance of miniature tequila bottles that appear through a lifetime.  Raquel Salinas said she began writing the piece in CASA 0101 Theater’s writing workshop for Chicanas, Cholas y Chisme and it is now a one-act play.”

The MUJERES on the Verge Team

Producer – Emmanuel Deleage
Stage Manager/Sound Designer – Angelica Ornelas
Production Coordinator – Lorena M. Ortega
Assistant Stage Manager – Doreen Sanchez
Lighting Designer – Alejandro Parra
Scenic Designer/Prop Master- Audrey Szot
Technical Director – Miguel Delgado
Costume Designer – Mari Mercado
Graphic Designer/Social Media – Itzel Ocampo
Publicist – Steve Moyer Public Relations

Concurrently during the run of the show, MUJERES ON THE VERGE (WOMAN ON THE VERGE), a FREE Art Exhibit entitled, ABSTRACT TO CONCRETE:  BARRIO EXPRESSIONS, examining the relations between abstract and concrete contemporary Barrio art, will be available to be viewed in the Jean Deleage Art Gallery, located in the lobby of CASA 0101 Theater.  Curated by Jimmy Centeno, the exhibit will feature the work of five artists including:  Richard Valdes, Arturo Urista, Carlos Rojas, Fernando Barragan and Jimmy Centeno.  The exhibit will open on Saturday, March 1, 2025 with an Opening Reception from 3:00 – 6:00 p.m.  The exhibit can be viewed prior to performances of MUJERES ON THE VERGE, and during Art Gallery Hours, which are Tuesdays through Fridays from 9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

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To see what shows are playing, check out our theatre guide>>