I saw a very good one man show at the Public Theater tonight called "Intringulis." The young man who wrote and performed it, Carlo Alban, tells his story.
He was born in Equador (Susan, this one's for you!). He and one of his five siblings and his parents emigrated to America. Four of the children were left behind; how families can be split like that is incomprehensible to me, yet it happens everywhere around the world.
Carlo and his family arrive in America on visitor visas and never leave. They wind up in New Jersey. He tells us of his struggle to put his illegal immigrant status into some sort of context. The family was always in fear they would be found out. Yet, paradoxically, he became a young star on "Sesame Street," playing the character Carlo, for those of you who watched that show. When one of his siblings who stayed behind in Equador finally gets to America, 18 years after Carlo arrived here, Carlo is stunned to discover that his brother is angry, enraged, and seems to be bent on becoming a terrorist of some sort. After a falling out, Carlo's older brother leaves the family he only just returned to and hasn't spoken with them since.
Singing and playing the guitar, Alban uses moving South American folk songs to express his story, as well as his own written word. He's funny, wise, and opened my eyes to a world I, frankly, have never considered except in the most superficial way.
This is an understated virtuoso performance in a show that should be seen by many and probably won't. It's at the Public for a very short run. Hopefully, this young man will find many more venues for this interesting and informative show.
He was born in Equador (Susan, this one's for you!). He and one of his five siblings and his parents emigrated to America. Four of the children were left behind; how families can be split like that is incomprehensible to me, yet it happens everywhere around the world.
Carlo and his family arrive in America on visitor visas and never leave. They wind up in New Jersey. He tells us of his struggle to put his illegal immigrant status into some sort of context. The family was always in fear they would be found out. Yet, paradoxically, he became a young star on "Sesame Street," playing the character Carlo, for those of you who watched that show. When one of his siblings who stayed behind in Equador finally gets to America, 18 years after Carlo arrived here, Carlo is stunned to discover that his brother is angry, enraged, and seems to be bent on becoming a terrorist of some sort. After a falling out, Carlo's older brother leaves the family he only just returned to and hasn't spoken with them since.
Singing and playing the guitar, Alban uses moving South American folk songs to express his story, as well as his own written word. He's funny, wise, and opened my eyes to a world I, frankly, have never considered except in the most superficial way.
This is an understated virtuoso performance in a show that should be seen by many and probably won't. It's at the Public for a very short run. Hopefully, this young man will find many more venues for this interesting and informative show.
Reading is freedom.
The mind soars, no earthly cares,
no limitations.
A Maggers Haiku, 2005
Years ago my mother used to say to me... "In this world, Elwood, you can be oh so smart or oh so pleasant."
Well, for years I was smart.
I recommend pleasant.
You may quote me.
Elwood P. Dowd
Wow - what an incredible story. Maybe someday it will be a book or even a film. Sounds like it has a lot of potential.
.
It's Thirteen O'Clock
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"I said, Hey Senorita - that's astute, I said, why don't we get together and call ourselves an institute?" --Paul Simon
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"In the final analysis, the last line of defense in support of freedom and the Constitution consists of the people themselves." -- Ron Paul
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
Maggers Wrote:Hopefully, this young man will find many more venues for this interesting and informative show.
Write to Oprah with his story, and maybe she will have him on her show.
Stephanie
Abe's raised eyebrows caused furrows in his extended forehead. "Five in twelve hours?"
"Oh, and like you've never had a cranky day?"
Silverfish Wrote:I'm not an Oprah fan.
Write to Oprah with his story, and maybe she will have him on her show.
Stephanie
I'm sure Carlo Alban's agent and others will be on the case, especially if he gets reviewed well by the NY Times, and he probably will.
I saw it opening night (last night), and I'm sure word will get out about it.
This post was last modified: 03-27-2007, 02:48 PM by Maggers.
Reading is freedom.
The mind soars, no earthly cares,
no limitations.
A Maggers Haiku, 2005
Years ago my mother used to say to me... "In this world, Elwood, you can be oh so smart or oh so pleasant."
Well, for years I was smart.
I recommend pleasant.
You may quote me.
Elwood P. Dowd
Maggers Wrote:I saw a very good one man show at the Public Theater tonight called "Intringulis." The young man who wrote and performed it, Carlo Alban, tells his story.
He was born in Equador (Susan, this one's for you!). He and one of his five siblings and his parents emigrated to America. Four of the children were left behind; how families can be split like that is incomprehensible to me, yet it happens everywhere around the world.
Carlo and his family arrive in America on visitor visas and never leave. They wind up in New Jersey. He tells us of his struggle to put his illegal immigrant status into some sort of context. The family was always in fear they would be found out. Yet, paradoxically, he became a young star on "Sesame Street," playing the character Carlo, for those of you who watched that show. When one of his siblings who stayed behind in Equador finally gets to America, 18 years after Carlo arrived here, Carlo is stunned to discover that his brother is angry, enraged, and seems to be bent on becoming a terrorist of some sort. After a falling out, Carlo's older brother leaves the family he only just returned to and hasn't spoken with them since.
Singing and playing the guitar, Alban uses moving South American folk songs to express his story, as well as his own written word. He's funny, wise, and opened my eyes to a world I, frankly, have never considered except in the most superficial way.
This is an understated virtuoso performance in a show that should be seen by many and probably won't. It's at the Public for a very short run. Hopefully, this young man will find many more venues for this interesting and informative show.
Wow, that's a very interesting story. I'd love to see that show, but I doubt it'll come to Alabama! LOL
Being able to see performances like this, plus all the art, theater and food in NYC makes me have big city envy. I really miss the diversity of a big town. I grew up in Miami and my parents would take me to NYC every year to see plays and stuff. I loved it.
It has been about 9 years since I last visited NYC. Last time we went, John and I went to see John Leguizamo's one man show, Freak. It was so funny! OMG my stomach hurt from laughing so much. Lequizamo is Colombian. I was born in Ecuador and I have a strong connection (any many friends) to the country, but my blood is Colombian.
It sure sounds like you enjoy all that NYC has to offer. That's so cool. Hey, maybe one day we can trade lives like in that movie, The Holiday (which was so cute)! I could stay at your place and go to the theater and dinner and the park and you could come to Mentone and commune with nature. I doubt you'll meet a guy that looks like Jude Law here, but you could definitely run into someone like Larry, the Cable Guy!
Susan
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A dreamer is one who can only find his way by moonlight, and his punishment is that he sees the dawn before the rest of the world. ~ Oscar Wilde
Insanity in individuals is something rare -- but in groups, parties, nations, and epochs it is the rule.~Nietzche
Insanity in individuals is something rare -- but in groups, parties, nations, and epochs it is the rule.~Nietzche