By Carla Zanoni
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
WASHINGTON HEIGHTS — Two groundbreaking literary works that reflect the lives of Latino New Yorkers will come to life on stage during The American Place Theatre’s one-man show double feature this Saturday.
Showcasing the popular Pulitzzer-prize winning novel "The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao," written by Dominican-American author Junot Diaz, and the classic memoir "Down These Mean Streets," written by Puerto Rican and Cuban poet and former Spanish Harlem resident Piri Thomas.
Diaz is expected to attend Saturday’s performance.
In the stage adaptation of Diaz’s book, Dominican actor Elvis Nolasco plays Oscar de León, overweight Dominican boy who loves science fiction and women and struggles to understand his family’s complicated life that spans the Dominican Republic, Washington Heights and Paterson, New Jersey.
Jamil Mena also brings to life Thomas’ rhythmic beat-generation slang-laden 1967 memoir of a life of crime and drugs in Spanish Harlem transformed into survival and spiritual connection with the people who live around him.
The double-feature is part of the Uptown Arts Stroll, a Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance (NoMAA) month-long arts celebration throughout Inwood and Washington Heights, the production is intended to "showcase…two-award winning Latino authors in the heart of this predominantly Dominican neighborhood," according to organizers.
"The cultural impact of having these stories presented to a diverse audience in the heart of Washington Heights at such a historic landmark like The Shabazz Center is immeasurable," said Paola Soto, director of the Bago Brunch, which paired up with the center, NoMAA, and TeatroStageFest to put on the show.
Tickets for the two shows at the Malcolm X & Dr. Betty Shabazz Memorial & Educational Center at 3940 Broadway are $40 for both shows or $25 for individual shows and can be purchased online.
High school students can get one ticket for free if they email divinodenegro@gmail.com.
