The Impossible Escape of Don Misterioso
“Sometimes you have to look backwards to see what’s in front of you.”
Written by Hal Borden
Directed by Alejandra Maldonado
Date: Saturday, June 20, 2020 at 6:00pm Eastern Time
Language: English
Location: IATI Theater (64 E. 4th St., NYC 10003)
Website: Facebook Page
Synopsis
In 1955, the warden of a Guatemalan prison agrees to an interview request from Maxine Whitman of Life magazine. When Max arrives at the prison, she reveals that her true agenda is to interview Francisco, a prisoner who she believes is the last living assistant of Harry Houdini. With the warden’s grudging cooperation, Max urges Francisco to divulge Houdini’s secrets before they’re lost to history, but she ultimately becomes more interested in Francisco’s own career as a magician—and when he attempts a daring prison break, Max plays an unexpected role in his final performance.
About the Playwright
Hal Borden earned an M.F.A. degree from the UCLA School of Theater, Film & Television, where he won the Hal Kanter Comedy Writing Award. His first play, A Position of Relative Importance, received staged readings at festivals in the U.S. and U.K. before premiering at Theatre Conspiracy in Fort Myers, Florida in 2015. Hal lives in Philadelphia with his two dachshunds. He is a member of the Dramatists Guild.
Cast
Christopher Cancel-Pomales
Luis Santiago Ponce
Francés Ramos
Juan Luis Acevedo
Andrea Velasco
Staged Readings Go Online
Due to COVID-19, our staged readings for Cimientos 2020 will have an alternative format as Live Zoom readings. To attend the reading of The Impossible Escape of Don Misterioso, RSPV at the link below.
The reading will also be streamed on Facebook Live; and you will be able to access the live recording later on Youtube. Make sure you follow our Facebook Page and Youtube Channel.
Want to submit your play for Cimientos 2021? We are accepting scripts between June 1 and June 30, click here for more information.