LOS OTROS World Premiere Begins Previews at CTG's Mark Taper Forum, 5/23

The world premiere of the beautifully crafted musical "Los Otros" begins previews Wednesday, May 23 at 8 p.m. at the Center Theatre Group/Mark Taper Forum. With book and lyrics by Ellen Fitzhugh and music by Michael John LaChiusa, "Los Otros" opens on June 3, 2012; performances continue through July 1. Tony Award-winner Michele Pawk has been cast to play the role of Woman and Julio Monge will play the role of Man.

Directed by multiple Tony Award-nominee Graciela Daniele, "Los Otros," with its distinctly Californian stories that span several decades, was commissioned by Center Theatre Group.

The first act depicts three defining moments in the life of a Southern California woman, all of them involving chance encounters with Mexican immigrants. The second act introduces us to a Mexican- American man, first as a 12-year-old picking plums in a Central Valley orchard during WWII and finally as a 75-year-old whose mind is failing him. Ultimately, a surprising connection is revealed that accents the myriad gifts and devotions that have shaped these two peoples' lives.

Michele Pawk's Broadway credits include "Hollywood Arms," for which she won a Tony Award, "Hairspray," "Losing Louie," "Mamma Mia!" and "Cabaret" (Drama Desk and Outer Critics' Circle nominations). In addition to numerous off-Broadway and regional credits, she can be heard on eight original cast recordings, plus several compilation albums and books on tape.

Julio Monge's Broadwaycredits include "Twelfth Night," directed by Nicholas Hytner, Paul Simon's "The Capeman," "Jerome Robbins' Broadway," "Chronicle of a Death Foretold," "Fosse," "Man of La Mancha" and "Victor/Victoria." He also appeared nationally and internationally in "Aurelia's Oratorio," directed by Victoria Thierre Chaplin.

Ellen Fitzhugh has created lyrics for the musicals "Herringbone" (winner of Chicago's Jefferson Award), "Big Blonde," "Paper Moon," "Muscle" with James Lapine and William Finn, "Grind" (Tony Award and Drama Desk nominations) directed by Harold Prince, and "Paradise Found" directed by Prince and Susan Stroman. She collaborated on the title song for MGM's "That's Dancing," on songs for Disney's animated feature film "The Great Mouse Detective," and has written lyrics for the baseball revue "Diamonds," Joel Grey's "Tricks of the Trade," the theme song of Arthur Kopit's play "End of the World" and additional lyrics for Anthony Newley's "Chaplin." She is also working with Michael John LaChiusa to develop the musical "Blood and Oatmeal." She received an Emmy nomination for a song from PBS' "Shining Time Station."

Michael John LaChiusa wrote the music and lyrics and co-wrote the book for "The Wild Party," which received Tony nominations for musical, original musical score and book. He also received Tony nominations for book and score for "Marie Christine." From 2011 to 2012, LaChiusa will have premiered three new musicals: "Queen of the Mist"(book, music and lyrics) produced by the Transport Group in New York; "Giant," (book by Sybille Pearson), premiering at the Dallas Theater Center and co-produced by The Public Theater; and "Los Otros."

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