Latina reaches new heights with play

Award winning Latina exposes the complexities of life, relationships
The Latino Journal E-News, Vol. 3, Issue 4

When a couple marries the least thing either suspects is a dark hidden secret, that if found out could lead to the failure of their marriage. Such is the case in a new play called “Don’t Call Me Baby” opening March 5, 2010, at CASA 0101 located in the Boyle Heights district of Los Angeles, California, where the husband finds out his wife is a former prostitute. Typically, such a story is told from the husband’s or the wife’s point of view, creating a biased perspective. But, in the case of “Don’t Call Me Baby” it was written from a third person and qualified counselor, Dr. Anna Nogales.

A well-known and respected Latina originally from Argentina, Dr. Nogales has tackled complex marital and relationship issues with a full understanding of how Latino culture intervenes in these delicate matters. Since opening her private practice in 1982 in Los Angeles and Orange Counties, she has dedicated herself to ensuring the mental health and success of women, Latinos, and anyone else who struggles with cultural and personal issues, victimization, and inequality.

“A lot of people don’t open up because they feel they need to protect themselves,” Dr. Nogales told the Latino Journal in an interview last year. “They create an emotional distance that may take their whole life to undo.”

Such is the situation in her play “Don’t Call Me Baby.” It is a story about a couple that seeks counseling after the husband finds out his wife used to be a prostitute. As the story unfolds, we find that the true victim has been the wife.

In addition to the play, Dr. Nogales has written several books, including her most recent “PARENTS WHO CHEAT: How Children and Adults Are Affected When Their Parents Are Unfaithful” (released by HCI: Health Communications Inc. - June 2009).

“The book is a positive one because it talks about forgiveness,” says Dr. Nogales. “But, we have to be truthful that forgiveness is not such a simple thing, it may be a life-long process.”

Don’t Call Me Baby! is directed by Emmanuel Deleage and produced by Josefina Lopez and Lorena Alvarado.

Emmanuel Deleage is a resident director at Casa 0101. He recently directed “8 Ways to Say I Love My Life and Mean It!” which won the 2009 Imagen Award for “Best Live Theatrical Production”. He is a former director and performer with the Los Angeles Poverty Department, a skid row based theater troupe.

CASA 0101 is dedicated to providing vital arts, cultural and educational programs to Boyle Heights, thereby nurturing the future storytellers of Los Angeles who will someday transform the world and is a 501 C 3 non-profit organization.

Don’t Call Me Baby! Show times are Friday’s & Saturday’s at 8 pm and Sunday’s at 7 pm in English and Sundays at 3 pm in Spanish.

Tickets are $15.00 General Admission,
$12.00 Students & Seniors and
$10 for Boyle Heights residents with ID.
Group rates 10+ $12 per person

For ticket reservations, please call 323-263-7684 or reserve online at www.Casa0101.org

CASA 0101 is located in Boyle Heights at 2009 E. First Street, Los Angeles, CA 90033