by Charles Augustine
Rita Moreno
Oscar/Tony, Award Winner Artist Rita Moreno is performing her latest work, “Life Without Makeup” this week at the Berkeley’s Repertory Theatre.
The storyline for this compelling performance piece is Moreno’s own life where she as the main character emanates from an impoverish background and has to overcome overwhelming, to realize her goal, which seems unreachable –to be an actress.
In the end though, as is indicative by works she starred in, like “Westside Story” and the Tennessee Williams’ “The Glass Menagerie,” she prevails, and, Moreno hopes her show will be an inspiration to so many like people in similar situations.
About the author, Moreno comments, , “I am amazed how Tony Taccone could fit 79 years of living into two hours yet capture the excitement, sadness, humor, surprise, and verve with which it was lived. ”
Toccone states, “Her life story is particularly moving for anyone who was born into difficult circumstances and strives for more.”
Moreno is the recipient of the Oscar, the Tony, the Grammy, and two Emmys.
Tickets go for $29 (for adults) and half that price for seniors. High school students can get in for $10. For times and dates or more information, go to call (510) 647-2949 or toll-free at (888) 4-BRT-Tix – or go to www.berkeleyrep.org.
Documentary draws attention to negative immigration laws
“Undivided, Three Communities, One Struggle” is a 30-minute documentary that draws attention to the negative impact, immigration laws like Arizona’s SB 1070 – “whereby police are prohibited from adopting sanctuary-type polices that limit or restrict enforcement of federal immigration laws” – have upon all of society.
To this avail, filmmaker Sophia Cooper records the daily lives of three youth activists from various backgrounds in three different cities (Tucson, Arizona, Washington, DC and Oakland, California), to show how these laws are being misused in a destructive manner, i.e., “racial profiling,” and the negative effects they have upon all Americans.
Cooper states that through these narratives she strives to bring home “the reality that is ripping communities apart, as well as, the resilience of those working to restore unity.”
Undivided is the mind-child of Recordar Productions, based here in the Bay Area; so there will be a community screening of it at the Eastside Arts Alliance in Oakland on Oct. 1, that will be followed by a facilitated question and answer input from the audience.
Undivided was produced in conjunction with “Center for New Community,” a national civil rights organization based in Chicago that is promotes “empowering communities and promoting justice and equality.”
The suggested donation for this event is $10; but Cooper says, “no one will be turned away for lack of funds.” However those attending should RSVP the number of attendees @ recordarproductions@gmail.com or for more information, call 510.701.4688.
Undivided will be shown at Eastside Arts Alliance at 2277 International Blvd. (near Fruitvale BART), in Oakland on Oct. 1, 7-9 p.m.
Mexican author Elena Poniatows ha recognized for contribution to humanity
The National Hispanic University (NHU) bestowed an honorary doctoral degree upon Mexican author Elena Poniatowska for a recent documentary titled
“Literature that Rises from
the Street” and other endeavors
she has done over the past four decades. In addition she got to witness a scholarship named after her be given out for the first time to Patricia Carolina Ruiz, a NHU senior.
Poniatowska was at NHU presenting her documentary Sept 27, “Literature that Rises from the Street” about Mexico’s upheavals over the past six decades, when the university surprised her with the honorary recognization.
“The literature that rises from the streets responds to a necessity; it reveals and documents the hidden; it writes the story of those who don’t have one.”
Concerning the Liberal Arts Studies student Ruiz who was the recipient of the scholarship, NHU Provost Juan Necochea said Ruiz “exemplifies the spirit of Elena in her tenacity, determination and desire to change the world for the betterment of humanity.”
