Theatre Exile presents Roosters,directed by co-artistic director Deborah Block. Roosters runs January 31 through February 24 at ChristChurch Neighborhood House.

The second show of Theatre Exile's 11th season, Roosters tells the story of a Latino family's search for reconciliation in the wake of a father's homecoming. After seven years in jail for manslaughter, Gallo returns to the roost to continue his mission: breeding the "ultimate bird...a high-kicking flyer." As Gallo's daughter defends her home and family from the shadows of her father's past, father and son engage in a blood dance, not only over the ownership of the prized cock-fighting rooster, but also over who is now the cock-of-the-walk. Written in the style of magical realism, Roosters walks the line between fantastical visions and gritty naturalism. The Denver Post declared Roosters, "...at once passionate, violent and magical," while the New York Times said Ms. Sanchez-Scott "aims to unsettle and delight." Roosters explores familial issues through archetypal characters with a distinct Latino voice that utilizes the English and Spanish languages, spiritual and earth-bound imagery, live music, dance-martial arts, and that fierce edge that makes Theatre Exile one of a kind.

Shortly after the premiere of Roosters in 1988 director, Deborah Block, "fell in love" with the play's magical realism style of story telling. Block says, "Over the years, this story became more powerful to me...this play asks, how do you become yourself, how do you become a whole person?" For their entire lives, Angela and Hector have been the children of an absent man, who loves only his prized rooster. While Angela wishes for a return to childhood, Hector tries to become the man his grandfather wished for, the man his father failed to become. Their journeys take place simultaneously, but are vastly different. Hector engages in a ferocious fight against the power of his domineering father. Angela steps out of her safe, whimsical world under the porch in search of the love she never got from a father she hardly ever had. Hector's journey takes place in the harsh, grimy, hot, "shit-encrusted", dry, smelly realm of reality; where vegetation grows violently and bacteria is more productive than human beings. Angela's journey takes place in a world where, instead of pits, peaches contain tiny words with "teenie-weenie white horses," saints have tea parties in a front yard, and paper wings bring young girls closer to heaven. "I learned that, sometimes a person must be broken down in order to put one's self back together," says Block. Sanchez-Scott's use of magical realism pulls the two separate journeys of Gallo's children together. After being torn down by their father, Hector and Angela must find a way to complete their journeys and forge their own identities.

With Roosters, Theatre Exile, is continuing its mission to broaden the cultural experiences of Philadelphians. Theatre Exile explores a theatrical voice rarely heard in Philadelphia by bringing together a cast in which all of the principal actors are Latino or, like the playwright and director, of mixed Latino descent. This imaginative and engaging work explores issues that all families and any individual may face in their lifetimes, through the unique voice of the Latino community. Sanchez-Scott couples the magical realism style with hints of Spanish language to heighten the story telling. This production also incorporates live percussion music and Capoeira, a beautiful form of Brazillian martial arts. After the success of Theatre Exile's first show of the season, Mr. Marmalade, Theatre Exile is looking forward to continuing its tradition of providing "on-the-edge" work for Philadelphia.

Theatre Exile has teamed up with the Norris Square Neighborhood Project and initiated its outreach program called Paper Wings. Paper Wings teaches middle school and high school students of the West Kensington area of Philadelphia (the Norris Square neighborhood) to use dramatic writing and performance to articulate their experiences. Professional actors and artists help guide these students in their writing, using theater techniques to find their own unique voices. Students, along with their families and friends, will be attending performances of Roosters.

Cast
Barrymore Award winner and Philadelphia favorite Joe Guzman heads up the cast as the domineering Gallo. Oscar Dubon comes from Guatemala to make his Theatre Exile debut as Gallo's son, Hector. Colombian actress Anjoli Santiago, who has been an integral part of Theatre Exile's Paper Wings, makes her Theatre Exile debut as Gallo's daughter, Angela. Fulbright-MinCultura Grant recipient Catalina Medina makes her U.S. debut as mother and wife Juana. Local Philadelphia artists Melissa Sabater and Emmanuel Carrera round out the cast. Carrera's live percussion provides music for Chris Devany and Peter M. DiGeronimo, who bring their years of capoeira training to their roles as Roosters.

Director
Theatre Exile's co-artistic director, Deborah Block has been a consistent figure in the Philadelphia arts community for almost 20 years as a director, dramaturg, producer, and educator. She has been involved in the creation of over 50 professional productions with an emphasis on new plays and movement based theatre. She has received much recognition for her professional and educational work, including being a recipient of the Independence Fellowship in the Arts. She is one of the founders of the Philadelphia Live Arts Festival and Philly Fringe and was the program director for nine years. She is currently teaching at TempleUniversity where she received her MFA.

Playwright
In 1955 Milcha Sanchez-Scott was born to a Colombian father who was an agronomist and a mother with Chinese, Indonesian, and Dutch ancestry. She learned English in a convent boarding school near London, and vacationed in San Marta, Colombia; on the ranch owned by her family for four generations. In 1969, she moved with her family to California. Sanchez-Scott attended high school, then the University of San Diego where she received degrees in Literature, Philosophy, and Theatre. While working at an employment agency in Los Angeles, she met immigrants whose experiences inspired many of her early short stories. Latina (1980) was the amalgamation of these stories and a commission from Susan Loewenberg of L.A. Theatre Works. Other works include Dog Lady (1984), The Cuban Swimmer (1984, Le Compte de Nouy Foundation Award winner), Evening Star (1988), Stone Wedding (1989), and El Dorado (1990). The success of her early plays took Sanchez-Scott to New York where she participated in playwright, Irene Fornés theatre workshop. There Sanchez-Scott developed Roosters (1988). Sanchez-Scott is an alumnus of the "New Dramatists" and lives in Southern California working with group artists within the prison system.

SHOWTIMES AND TICKETS
Roosters runs January 31 - February 24, 2008 at Christ Church Neighborhood House, 20 N. American Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Previews: Thr. Jan. 31 - Sat. Feb. 2 at 8pm Sun. Feb. 3 at 3pm Opening Night: Wed. Feb. 6 at 8pm Performances Run: Wed. Feb. 6- Sat. Feb. 9 at 8pm Sun. Feb. 10 at 3pm Wed. Feb. 13- Sat. Feb. 16 at 8pm Sun. Feb. 17 at 3pm Wed. Feb. 20 - Sat. Feb. 23 at 8pm Closing: Sun. Feb. 24 at 3pm. (Post-show discussions: Sun. Feb. 17 & Thur. Feb. 21) Tickets are $15 to $40 and may be purchased by calling the box office weekdays between 10am and 5pm at 215.922.4462 or online at www.theatreexile.org.

ABOUT THEATRE EXILE
Theatre Exile is a nonprofit theater company dedicated to enhancing the cultural experiences of all Philadelphians through the staging of works that engage the imagination. We produce risky and challenging plays that contain a sense of true Philadelphia grit and passion. We are constantly striving to reach out to new theater audiences throughout the community by presenting both new works as well as established plays that are often reinterpreted in original ways and/or held in unique site-specific locations.

We believe in freedom of expression formulated through innovation, exploration and provocation. At the same time, we provide a safe and creative environment in which local artists can grow and experiment and ultimately, find their own voice.

For photos, press information, or to schedule interviews, contact Jenny Jacobs 525 S. 4th Street, Suite #475 Philadelphia, PA 19147 215.922.4462 jenny@theatreexile.org www.theatreexile.org