Written by: Boni B. Alvarez
Directed by: Jon Lawrence Rivera
Producers: Gary Grossman, Tony Abatemarco
Associate Producer: Giselle Töngi Walters
You'll laugh while your heart is breaking.
-- THE STORY: In pursuit of the American Dream, six pregnant Filipina women risk everything. Confined to a one-bedroom, one-bath unit in Hollywood the women do their best to overcome fears of jail and deportation so that their children can have a better life. Playwright Boni B. Alvarez examines the promise of U.S. Citizenship and ask, “How far would you go to give your child a future?”
Skylight Theatre; Feb 9 – March 24
Opening Night Feb 16
AGE RECOMMENDATION: 14+
Enhance your experience.
We hope to bring more to the conversation begun by the play AMERICA ADJACENT. Informal chats with invited guests last 20-25 minutes and begin immediately after the performance.
Sun. Feb 24 - "TNT OR IN HIDING - The Mental Health Impact of being Undocumented
Sun. March 3 - ANCHOR BABIES: A Mother's Justification
Sun. March 10 - ASSIMILATION IN AMERICA
Sun. March 17 - FILIPINAS FOR EXPORT: Factors of Forced Migration
Sun. March 24 - TRAUMA AND THE FILIPINA
A Los Angeles-based actor-playwright, his plays include America Adjacent, Bloodletting, Fixed, Nicky, Dallas Non-Stop, Dusty de los Santos, Driven, Refuge for a Purple Heart, and Ruby, Tragically Rotund. Boni's plays have been produced at Center Theatre Group - Kirk Douglas Theatre, Echo Theater Company, Coeurage Theatre Company, Skylight Theatre Company, Theatre Rhinoceros, and Playwrights’ Arena. He is an alum of the CTG Writers’ Workshop, Echo Writer’s Lab, Humanitas Play LA, Moving Arts’ MADlab, the CBS Writers Mentoring Program and the Geffen Playhouse Writers’ Room. He is currently in Skylight Theatre’s SkyLab and a Resident Playwright of New Dramatists.
The recipient of the first Career Achievement Award from Stage Raw, his directing credits include the following world premieres for Playwrights’ Arena: March: A Parking Lot Play (co-produced with the Los Angeles LGBT Center), Southernmost by Mary Lyon Kamitaki, Baby Eyes by Donald Jolly, I Go Somewhere Else by Inda Craig-Galván, Bloodletting by Boni B. Alvarez (also at Kirk Douglas Theatre), The End Times by Jesse Mu-En Shao, Little Women by Velina Hasu Houston, The Hotel Play written by Paula Cizmar, Velina Hasu Houston, Jennifer Maisel, Nahal Navidar, Julie Oni, Janine Salinas Schoenberg and Laurie Woolery (performed in an actual hotel), @TheSpeedofJake by Jennifer Maisel, Circus Ugly by Gabriel Rivas Gomez, Painting In Red by Luis Alfaro, Cinnamon Girl by Velina Hasu Houston and Nathan Wang (also at the 2nd Beijing University International Musical Theater Festival 2014), Dallas Non-Stop by Boni B. Alvarez, The Anatomy of Gazellas by Janine Salinas Schoenberg, Girl Most Likely To by Michael Premrirat, Bonded by Donald Jolly and Euripides’ Helen by Nick Salamone (at the Getty Villa). Other recent work includes: Anna In The Tropics by Nilo Cruz at Open Fist Theater, America Adjacent by Boni B. Alvarez, and Obama-ology by Aurin Squire at Skylight Theatre; The Joy Luck Club by Susan Kim, The Last Five Years by Jason Robert Brown, and Criers for Hire by Giovanni Ortega at East West Players; Honeymoon in Vegas by Jason Robert Brown and A Class Act by Ed Kleban for Musical Theatre Guild; Bingo Hall by Dillon Chitto, Fairly Traceable by Mary Kathryn Nagle, and Stand-Off At HWY #37 by Vickie Ramirez for Native Voices at the Autry (also at the University of South Dakota) and the landmark Los Angeles Premiere of Dogeaters by Jessica Hagedorn at SIPA and Kirk Douglas Theatre. Rivera is the recipient of a NY Fringe Festival Award for directing Hillary Agonistes, an LA Weekly Award for directing Sea Change, and 5 Ovation Award nominations.
( WOMAN #1) Evie Abat is thrilled to be returning to her Skylight Theatre home, where she enjoyed a successful run earlier this year as Janelle Mae in the all-Filipina cast of AMERICA ADJACENT. She was most recently seen on the Broadwater Main Stage during the Fringe Festival, playing the musical-loving Dr. Krupke in COME BACK, and in front of the camera in the upcoming, SAG-AFTRA web series, CRAZY. She thanks Tony, Gary, Raul, and Wendy for having her on this wonderful stage again, and send much love to Greg and Sissy for putting up with her frequent requests for line runs. Representation: Luxe Talent Agency.
(Roshelyn) ANGELA T. BAESA's acting background is in theatre, but she is also pursuing a film and TV career. She finished a feature, 8 DAYS CARLO, filmed in Mexico. Starred as the lead in MY HAUNTED HOUSE on Lifetime (LMN), and several short films, ANITO and BICULTURAL, that have been circling the festival circuits in the US and abroad. She trained with Stan Kirsch Studios, The Second City, iO West, BGB. She loves camping, skiing and hiking with the bears of the Sequoias.
(Paz) TONI KATANO is proud to be a Filipino-American, Southern California native who became enamored with acting at a young age performing in school plays. She studied at the Strasberg Theater Institute. Toni has produced plays with Sixty-Six Theater and can be seen in the upcoming films THE FLORIST AND NANAY KO alongside Cinderella’s Paolo Motalban. Toni is thrilled to join the cast of AMERICA ADJACENT and wishes to thank her parents and the entire production team.
(Administrator) HAZEL LOZANO is a 1.5-generation Fil-Am theater artist. Nagdakulo iya sa Bicol, tapos lumipat siya sa Washington State (UW PATP 2017). Since moving to LA a year ago, Hazel has played Iago in OTHELLO (Griot Theatre), an Australian misfit in GOT YOU (Exit Strategies/Raze the Space), and a wannabe mermaid in OF GOVERNMENT (Son of Semele). She is honored to help bring this baby into the world! Thank you for supporting unheard voices! @atypicalhaze
(Sampaguita) SAMANTHA VALDELLON is a proud NY native, actress and violinist. Other theatre credits include TWELFTH NIGHT, FAILURE: A LOVE STORY (Coeurage Theatre), FLUFFY BUNNIES IN A FIELD OF DAISIES (The Infinite Monkey Project) and THE BRAHMIN AND THE TIGER (here&now theatre company). Recent film credits include LOVE IS ALL YOU NEED? (Genius Pictures) and BIRTH PANGS (Stink Films USA). Maraming salamat po to the America Adjacent family for this amazing experience. Love and gratitude to family, friends, and Danny.
(Aimee) SANDY VELASCO is an actor, writer and comedian. She’s the proud creator of the award-winning comedy webseries, “MISS GUIDANCE” and has performed as an improviser at UCB and Improvcity. She can also be seen performing stand up comedy at the famous Ice House Comedy Club. Theatre credits include: Coeurage Theatre Company, Artists At Play, Playwrights' Arena, East West Players and Company of Angels. “Blessed to be back on stage representing another Fil-Am story, thanks to Boni!” @thesandyvelasco
(Divina) ARIANNE VILLAREAL is thrilled to be making her LA theatre debut with these amazing Fil-Am women! A daughter of immigrants, she grew up in the Cincinnati area. Regional credits include: THE 25TH…SPELLING BEE (Actors Theatre Indiana); THE PILL, BLOODY BLOODY ANDREW JACKSON, 4000 MILES (Phoenix Theatre); SOUTH PACIFIC (Beef & Boards); 4000 MILES (JET Theatre). BA Theatre/Music, U. Indianapolis. Thanks to the creative team and Raul Staggs Casting, and to her friends, family, and mentor for their unending support. More at: ariannevillareal.com @villareally
DESIGNERS
SCENIC DESIGN: Christopher Scott Murillo
LIGHTING DESIGN: Mathew Richter
COSTUME DESIGN: Mylette Nora
SOUND DESIGN: Austin Quan
PROPERTIES: Lily Bartenstein
PRODUCTION STAFF
PRODUCTION STAGE MANAGER: Christopher Hoffman
REHEARSAL STAGE MANAGER: Garrett Crouch
CASTING DIRECTOR: Raul Clayton Staggs
PUBLICIST: Judith Borne
MARKETING ART AND PROGRAM DESIGN: Guillermo Perez
PRODUCTION PHOTOGRAPHER: Ed Kreiger
VIDEO PRODUCTION: MM Studios, Maxwell Morro
Skylight Theatre Company is supported, in part, by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors through the Los Angeles County Arts Commission.
Skylight Theatre; Feb 9 – March 24
Opening Night Feb 16
AGE RECOMMENDATION: 14+
HUMOROUS and COMPASSIONATE, America Adjacent is NOT TO BE MISSED. America Adjacent not only serves as an eye-opening look at how many people in the world view America — it is also an ode to strong women. - RECOMMENDED, TOP TEN - Stage Raw
One to CELEBRATE AND REMEMBER. Captivating and compelling hot-button-issue dramedy. PITCH-PERFECT performances… seven gifted comediennes every bit as capable of eliciting tears as they are adept at inspiring laughs. WOW! - StageSceneLA
With America Adjacent, A SPECIAL BONUS AWAITS THE AUDIENCE. - Asian Journal
SOULFULLY DIRECTED… Proves that this Filipino-American playwright's POWERFUL VOICE must exist in the American theatre. Alvarez LOVINGLY, HEARTBREAKINGLY and HUMOROUSLY illuminates - Annenberg Media
REFRESHING... This ensemble is TERRIFIC, playing off each other with seamless, boundless energy, filling the stage with PATHOS and JOY. I loved them. - Theatre Notes
ADDRESSES THE QUESTION HEAD-ON No matter which side of the immigration debate you are on, America Adjacent is a sympathetic look at the reasons behind why some women are willing to do whatever is necessary to give birth in America. - BroadwayWorld.
FINE ACTING. The play tells Human Stories, URGING US TO FEEL COMPASSION for our fellows. We recognize them as people we know. Sometimes as ourselves” – Zahir Blue/Night-Tinted Glasses
Slice of life that ILLUMINATES, WITHOUT JUDGMENT... explores high cost of American Dream. IMPRESSIVE... - People's World
Enhance your experience.
We hope to bring more to the conversation begun by the play AMERICA ADJACENT. Informal chats with invited guests last 20-25 minutes and begin immediately after the performance.
Sun. Feb 24 - "TNT OR IN HIDING - The Mental Health Impact of being Undocumented
Sun. March 3 - ANCHOR BABIES: A Mother's Justification
Sun. March 10 - ASSIMILATION IN AMERICA
Sun. March 17 - FILIPINAS FOR EXPORT: Factors of Forced Migration
Sun. March 24 - TRAUMA AND THE FILIPINA
A Los Angeles-based actor-playwright, his plays include America Adjacent, Bloodletting, Fixed, Nicky, Dallas Non-Stop, Dusty de los Santos, Driven, Refuge for a Purple Heart, and Ruby, Tragically Rotund. Boni's plays have been produced at Center Theatre Group - Kirk Douglas Theatre, Echo Theater Company, Coeurage Theatre Company, Skylight Theatre Company, Theatre Rhinoceros, and Playwrights’ Arena. He is an alum of the CTG Writers’ Workshop, Echo Writer’s Lab, Humanitas Play LA, Moving Arts’ MADlab, the CBS Writers Mentoring Program and the Geffen Playhouse Writers’ Room. He is currently in Skylight Theatre’s SkyLab and a Resident Playwright of New Dramatists.
The recipient of the first Career Achievement Award from Stage Raw, his directing credits include the following world premieres for Playwrights’ Arena: March: A Parking Lot Play (co-produced with the Los Angeles LGBT Center), Southernmost by Mary Lyon Kamitaki, Baby Eyes by Donald Jolly, I Go Somewhere Else by Inda Craig-Galván, Bloodletting by Boni B. Alvarez (also at Kirk Douglas Theatre), The End Times by Jesse Mu-En Shao, Little Women by Velina Hasu Houston, The Hotel Play written by Paula Cizmar, Velina Hasu Houston, Jennifer Maisel, Nahal Navidar, Julie Oni, Janine Salinas Schoenberg and Laurie Woolery (performed in an actual hotel), @TheSpeedofJake by Jennifer Maisel, Circus Ugly by Gabriel Rivas Gomez, Painting In Red by Luis Alfaro, Cinnamon Girl by Velina Hasu Houston and Nathan Wang (also at the 2nd Beijing University International Musical Theater Festival 2014), Dallas Non-Stop by Boni B. Alvarez, The Anatomy of Gazellas by Janine Salinas Schoenberg, Girl Most Likely To by Michael Premrirat, Bonded by Donald Jolly and Euripides’ Helen by Nick Salamone (at the Getty Villa). Other recent work includes: Anna In The Tropics by Nilo Cruz at Open Fist Theater, America Adjacent by Boni B. Alvarez, and Obama-ology by Aurin Squire at Skylight Theatre; The Joy Luck Club by Susan Kim, The Last Five Years by Jason Robert Brown, and Criers for Hire by Giovanni Ortega at East West Players; Honeymoon in Vegas by Jason Robert Brown and A Class Act by Ed Kleban for Musical Theatre Guild; Bingo Hall by Dillon Chitto, Fairly Traceable by Mary Kathryn Nagle, and Stand-Off At HWY #37 by Vickie Ramirez for Native Voices at the Autry (also at the University of South Dakota) and the landmark Los Angeles Premiere of Dogeaters by Jessica Hagedorn at SIPA and Kirk Douglas Theatre. Rivera is the recipient of a NY Fringe Festival Award for directing Hillary Agonistes, an LA Weekly Award for directing Sea Change, and 5 Ovation Award nominations.
( WOMAN #1) Evie Abat is thrilled to be returning to her Skylight Theatre home, where she enjoyed a successful run earlier this year as Janelle Mae in the all-Filipina cast of AMERICA ADJACENT. She was most recently seen on the Broadwater Main Stage during the Fringe Festival, playing the musical-loving Dr. Krupke in COME BACK, and in front of the camera in the upcoming, SAG-AFTRA web series, CRAZY. She thanks Tony, Gary, Raul, and Wendy for having her on this wonderful stage again, and send much love to Greg and Sissy for putting up with her frequent requests for line runs. Representation: Luxe Talent Agency.
(Roshelyn) ANGELA T. BAESA's acting background is in theatre, but she is also pursuing a film and TV career. She finished a feature, 8 DAYS CARLO, filmed in Mexico. Starred as the lead in MY HAUNTED HOUSE on Lifetime (LMN), and several short films, ANITO and BICULTURAL, that have been circling the festival circuits in the US and abroad. She trained with Stan Kirsch Studios, The Second City, iO West, BGB. She loves camping, skiing and hiking with the bears of the Sequoias.
(Paz) TONI KATANO is proud to be a Filipino-American, Southern California native who became enamored with acting at a young age performing in school plays. She studied at the Strasberg Theater Institute. Toni has produced plays with Sixty-Six Theater and can be seen in the upcoming films THE FLORIST AND NANAY KO alongside Cinderella’s Paolo Motalban. Toni is thrilled to join the cast of AMERICA ADJACENT and wishes to thank her parents and the entire production team.
(Administrator) HAZEL LOZANO is a 1.5-generation Fil-Am theater artist. Nagdakulo iya sa Bicol, tapos lumipat siya sa Washington State (UW PATP 2017). Since moving to LA a year ago, Hazel has played Iago in OTHELLO (Griot Theatre), an Australian misfit in GOT YOU (Exit Strategies/Raze the Space), and a wannabe mermaid in OF GOVERNMENT (Son of Semele). She is honored to help bring this baby into the world! Thank you for supporting unheard voices! @atypicalhaze
(Sampaguita) SAMANTHA VALDELLON is a proud NY native, actress and violinist. Other theatre credits include TWELFTH NIGHT, FAILURE: A LOVE STORY (Coeurage Theatre), FLUFFY BUNNIES IN A FIELD OF DAISIES (The Infinite Monkey Project) and THE BRAHMIN AND THE TIGER (here&now theatre company). Recent film credits include LOVE IS ALL YOU NEED? (Genius Pictures) and BIRTH PANGS (Stink Films USA). Maraming salamat po to the America Adjacent family for this amazing experience. Love and gratitude to family, friends, and Danny.
(Aimee) SANDY VELASCO is an actor, writer and comedian. She’s the proud creator of the award-winning comedy webseries, “MISS GUIDANCE” and has performed as an improviser at UCB and Improvcity. She can also be seen performing stand up comedy at the famous Ice House Comedy Club. Theatre credits include: Coeurage Theatre Company, Artists At Play, Playwrights' Arena, East West Players and Company of Angels. “Blessed to be back on stage representing another Fil-Am story, thanks to Boni!” @thesandyvelasco
(Divina) ARIANNE VILLAREAL is thrilled to be making her LA theatre debut with these amazing Fil-Am women! A daughter of immigrants, she grew up in the Cincinnati area. Regional credits include: THE 25TH…SPELLING BEE (Actors Theatre Indiana); THE PILL, BLOODY BLOODY ANDREW JACKSON, 4000 MILES (Phoenix Theatre); SOUTH PACIFIC (Beef & Boards); 4000 MILES (JET Theatre). BA Theatre/Music, U. Indianapolis. Thanks to the creative team and Raul Staggs Casting, and to her friends, family, and mentor for their unending support. More at: ariannevillareal.com @villareally
DESIGNERS
SCENIC DESIGN: Christopher Scott Murillo
LIGHTING DESIGN: Mathew Richter
COSTUME DESIGN: Mylette Nora
SOUND DESIGN: Austin Quan
PROPERTIES: Lily Bartenstein
PRODUCTION STAFF
PRODUCTION STAGE MANAGER: Christopher Hoffman
REHEARSAL STAGE MANAGER: Garrett Crouch
CASTING DIRECTOR: Raul Clayton Staggs
PUBLICIST: Judith Borne
MARKETING ART AND PROGRAM DESIGN: Guillermo Perez
PRODUCTION PHOTOGRAPHER: Ed Kreiger
VIDEO PRODUCTION: MM Studios, Maxwell Morro
Skylight Theatre Company is supported, in part, by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors through the Los Angeles County Arts Commission.
