For Immediate Release:  January 25, 2011

Latina Dance Theater Project Presents
The Slumber of Reason (El Sueño de la Razon)
At Bootleg Theater in Los Angeles
February 25-26, 2011

A Multidisciplinary Dance Theater Performance
Inspired by Goya’s Iconic Los Caprichos

LOS ANGELES, CA – Innovative performance group the Latina Dance Theater Project (LDTP) announces the return of their critically acclaimed piece, The Slumber of Reason (El Sueño de la Razon), to Bootleg Theater in Los Angeles for one weekend only, Friday, February 25 and Saturday, February 26, 2011. Directed by Tim Perez, The Slumber of Reason is a series of ten dark and humorous vignettes that depict various follies and foibles of mankind.  The creative springboard for this interdisciplinary work is Spanish artist Francisco de Goya’s tour-de-force prints, Los Caprichos (The Caprices), considered one of the most profound indictments of human vice ever set on paper.   The Slumber of Reason show times are at 8:00pm on both nights.  General admission tickets cost $25 (available online and at the door). Bootleg Theater is located at 2220 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90057.  For venue and ticket information, please call 213-389-3856 or visit http://www.bootlegtheater.org. For information on LDTP, please see:  http://www.latinadanceproject.com or http://www.facebook.com/pages/Latina-Dance-Project/107898625906942

“Even though Goya created his visions of chaos and brutality hundreds of years ago, they are still remarkably profound and relate to issues here and now,” says Licia Perea of LDTP, “His powerful images inspired us to create a new set of modern day ‘caprichos’ that explore contemporary demons.”

“El Sueño de la Razon Produce Monstruos” or “The Sleep/Dream of Reason Produces Monsters” (1799) –  Francisco de Goya

The Slumber of Reason –
“El Sueño de la Razon Produce Monstruos” or “The Sleep/Dream of Reason Produces Monsters” (1799), which the production takes its name from, is the title Goya gave to what became his most famous Los Caprichos etching.  The work depicts a sleeping gentleman, surrounded by bats and other evil-looking creatures.  This now iconic image commented on the lack of critical thinking in Spanish society at the time.

Following Goya’s example, LDTP uses humor as a tool for social criticism in the production’s ten vignettes.  Each vignette illustrates a human folly or vice which may surface when a person does not use intelligence or reason to guide action. The vices targeted by LDTP range from relatively harmless texting obsessions, to preoccupation with physical beauty, to much more serious destructive urges that instigate war and murder.  Hot button issues such as immigration, environmental degradation, and racism are also explored.

“In over 200 years of time, it’s pretty insane that the situation in the world isn’t necessarily better and has not really changed all that much,” says Perea, “We hope the world we recreate in this work not only hits the audience in the gut with this realization, but also makes them laugh at the sheer absurdity of it all.”

Described as “edgy and thought-provoking” and “something different,” by theater reviewer Marianne Fritz of SocCal.com, The Slumber of Reason defies categorization, incorporating a fascinating hybrid of creative genres. The music in the work, by composer Wes Hambright, is as diverse as the different themes in the show, incorporating styles ranging from techno to blues. LDTP members in this production — Perea, Juanita Suarez, Eva Tessler, and Jose Garcia Davis – also bring together a variety of creative talents, weaving together a rich tapestry of dance, song, art, and theater into the production.

Los Caprichos –
Enigmatic and controversial, Los Caprichos (1799), by Francisco de Goya, were created in a time of economic crisis and social unrest in Spain. Goya, who earned his living as a well-known court painter of the period, also used his art to denounce social abuses and superstitions in a passionate critique of ignorance and oppression. The Caprichos candidly deal with themes such as the Spanish Inquisition, corruption within the church and among the nobility, witchcraft, marital mistakes, and the general stupidity of the populace. Its subhuman cast includes witches, goblins, monks, aristocrats, prostitutes, and animals acting like human fools inhabiting a world on the margins of reason.  The Caprichos (a term that translates to “whims,” “fantasies,” or “expressions of imagination”) are not, however, solely bleak in nature, they also often demonstrate the artist’s wickedly satirical wit.

LDTP The Slumber of Reason – “Goya with Witches” bottom-to-top: Jose Garcia Davis (Goya w/ top hat); Licia Perea, Juanita Suarez, Gabriela Nugent (apprentice) and Eva Tessler (top) (Photo Credit: Dorit Thies)

Latina Dance Theater Project –
LDTP is a group of five nationally recognized Latina/o dance theater artists who explore the voices of the hybrid cultures of Mexico, the United States, and Brazil. While none of the members of this unique company live in the same city, they are brought together by their passion to work as an equal, collaborative company.  LDTP members are Licia Perea, a COLA and two-time NEA Fellow (Los Angeles); Juanita Suarez, PHD, recipient of MAP Fund and Berolzheimer Foundation grants (Brockport, NY); Eva Tessler, multiple recipient from the Arizona Commission on the Arts (Tucson, AZ); Eluza Santos, PHD, a United Arts Council of NC grantee (Vitoria, Brazil); and award-winning writer, director, set designer, and performer Jose Garcia Davis (Los Angeles).  The Company was founded in 2002 as a rising voice of a new aesthetic in contemporary dance-theater, having toured nationally and internationally since its inception.  LDTP is joined by guest collaborators: acclaimed director Tim Perez (Vancouver, BC); costume designer Susie Cox (Dallas, TX); and critically acclaimed composer Wes Hambright (Los Angeles).

Bootleg Theater –
Bootleg Theater is a space for art: a place where Los Angeles artists can come together and create new, exciting theatrical events.  Bootleg is dedicated to producing and presenting theater, music, dance, and film in the venue’s 10,000-square foot 1930s warehouse, located in the Rampart District just west of Downtown LA. The facility, comprised of two performance spaces and a lounge, plays an integral role in the development and advancement of Bootleg’s goals: to provide a community convening place; produce brave, boundary-pushing, artistically outstanding, and highly collaborative new work — work that is exciting to people of all ages and ethnicities; and serve as a reflection of the City we all call home.

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For more information, press passes, photos, or interviews, please contact Green Galactic’s Lynn Tejada (née Hasty) at 213-840-1201 or lynn@greengalactic.com.

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One weekend only!

Latina Dance Theater Project Presents
The Slumber of Reason (El Sueño de la Razon)

A multidisciplinary dance theater performance
Inspired by Goya’s Los Caprichos

Friday & Saturday, February 25 – 26, 2011
8:00pm

General Admission $25
Tickets at http://www.bootlegtheater.org

Bootleg Theater
2220 Beverly Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90057

This performance is made possible by

Top Photo:

LDTP The Slumber of Reason – “Baghdad is Burning”
Licia Perea (bottom) and Gabriela Nugent (apprentice; top)
(Photo Credit: Dorit Thies)