'Escape COVID Monotony' With Herbert Siguenza's Virtual 'Vamos!'

San Diego CA

08 February, 2021

3:42 PM

Description

By Editor, Times of San Diego February 8, 2021 Take a trip through Latin America with San Diego Repertory Theatre and Amigos del REP's "Vamos!" hosted and produced by playwright Herbert Siguenza. The 15-to 20-minute online show continues Monday evening with its second episode. The plan – to take a look at one Latin American country each month, showcasing its unique history, geography, demographics, culture and cuisine. "Vamos!" – which means "Let's go!" in English – will be released on The REP's YouTube channel and Facebook page at 7 p.m. on the 2nd Monday of each month. The Jan. 11 debut focused on Peru. "I want my show to highlight the great diversity that makes each Latin American country unique," Siguenza said. "This show will be a small escape from our COVID monotony and maybe inspire you to know more." Each show begins with a fast-moving presentation – a 20-second lecture about the featured country. In addition, there will be guest poets and musicians to entertain audiences before Siguenza concludes with a tutorial of a food or drink recipe that is uniquely associated with that country's cuisine. Siguenza, the Rep's playwright-in-residence (through a grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, is well known to San Diego audiences. The founding member of Culture Clash has co-written, adapted or performed more than 15 original award-winning plays at regional theaters around the country, in addition to writing and performing solo works outside the group. They include Cantinflas! (2003), A Weekend With Pablo Picasso (2010), El Henry (2014), Steal Heaven (2015), Manifest Destinitis (2016), Beachtown (2018) and Bad Hombres/Good Wives (2019). Siguenza also directed Jose Rivera's Cloud Tectonics for New Village Arts in Carlsbad. Note: Photo credit – Mimi Pollack. Times of San Diego is an independent online news site covering the San Diego metropolitan area. Our journalists report on politics, crime, business, sports, education, arts, the military and everyday life in San Diego. No subscription is required, and you can sign up for a free daily newsletter with a summary of the latest news.