Reviews

Written, produced by Karina Casiano for La Criatura Theater 

Co-directed and performed with Daniel Irizarry 

Original idea by Karina Casiano and Jorge Dieppa  

Presented by La MaMa E.T.C.

New York:  

* December 2nd to 12th, 2010,  La MaMa E.T.C. 

* June 9-13, 2011, Connelly Theater, 5th Teatro StageFest 

Brazil: 

* September 1 and 2, 2011, SESC Belenzinho, Sao Paulo, 1st LITFNY/SESC Partnership

Backstage said:   

“Karina Casiano wears a lot of hats here […] but she also has the chops and clarity of vision to pull it off. [...] An unusual blend of physical theater, science fiction, and political parable, 'The Orphans' twists the formula. [...] Everything significant is conveyed through graceful, stylized and seemingly gravity-defying movement.”  

(Read the whole review by A.J. Mell HERE.) 

The New York Theater Review said:   

“The story is told through death-defying contact improvisation with walls, set pieces, and finally each other. [...] Both performers' stunning and minutely-specific physical control is consistent and equally impressive throughout the performance.”  (Read the whole review by J. Christoperson HERE.)   

Texts by Karina Casiano

New York: 

* April 2008, chashama @ 42nd St. (with pianist Harry Miller) 

* October 2008, Gerald W. Lynch Theater, CUNY John Jay College (with pianist Harry Miller)  

* May 2010, 7th Annual soloNOVA Arts Festival, P.S.122 (with pianist Broc Hempel)

Mexico City: 

* July 2010, VIII Festival Internacional de Cabaret, Teatro El Vicio and Foro A Poco No (with pianist Broc Hempel)

"Casiano's beautiful and powerful singing voice makes the heartbreaking moments in 'Rootless' all the more affecting. Moving."

Dan Lehman, Backstage Blogs. Read full article FULL ARTICLE 

"Casiano is [...] talented and gutsy. [...] Expressive performances of the songs." 

Martin Denton, nytheater.com

"Karina’s 'Rootless' is ingenious and daring. The lyrics to the songs, her movements, her commentary and even the wardrobe are fantastic. We were very impressed."

Maite Junco, Editor, Viva Magazine, The Daily News

"It was fascinating how Karina managed to incorporate several media into the show. Some of the songs are like music videos! And her voice is clear and strong." 

Susan Baum, "The Personal Trainer for the Voice"

"'Rootless: La No-Nostalgia' was marvelous! Splendid! So well-built, so well conceived. We were much moved. She has depicted a synthesis of all of us. We were marveled by the ease with which she interpreted several different styles of songs, the accents, her stage presence, her power, her creativity. Casiano is an all-inclusive artist and deserves to perform on great stages. Absolute professionalism. Chapeaux." 

Claudio Iván Remeseira, Director of the Hispanic New York Project of American Studies Program at Columbia University / Curator of the Hispanic NY Film Festival

 "'Rootless: La No-Nostalgia' is brilliant, inspirational, moving, thought-provoking, educational, unforgettable, poignant, engaging, and thoroughly entertaining. Karina Casiano is a gifted, incredibly multitalented artist who commands the attention of the audience in a way I've never quite experienced, both in the comedic moments and in the dramatic ones. She has a beautiful voice that sends chills throughout the theater. Also, Casiano showed impressive inventiveness in utilizing a performance space when she used the theater window... I was blown away. Casiano’s mind speaks volumes!"

Dean Bohana, Composer / Sound Engineer

"Karina is an incredible singer, writer and performer. She really blew me away with her work. 'Rootless:  La No-Nostalgia' challenged and moved me in so many ways - I'm still thinking about it. [...] Karina didn't play it safe for a second. She goes way out of ‘the comfort zone.’ There is an extraordinary amount of creativity, fearlessness, love and thoughtfulness invested in the show. She certainly raises the bar. Karina’s work is inspiring."

Dana Jacks, Actor

"Karina does not let up on the issues which need to be put out there. This time she really had a chance to showcase her singing voice." 

Gary Lai, Dancer / Gymnastics Instructor

"She managed to turn what I feel deep, deep inside, inside my emigrée heart into art. BRAVA!"

Ileanexis Guadalupe,Playwright / Educator

"It was a stupendous evening. I shed a tear or two, I laughed, and it made me think. And Karina is a goddess!"

Maruxa Relaño, Journalist

Written by Karina Casiano

* February 2006, CSV Cultural Center, Lower East Side 

* June 2006, chashama @ Queens, old Citibank Building, Long Island City

"(Silence Is Health is) a mix of horror fun house-meets-cinema vérité. We were in awe with the staging, the good taste and the timely politics of the play. La Criatura troupe is truly developing world-class stuff ...and presenting it in English and Spanish!  This is what independent theater in NY could be.” 

Libertad Guerra (Anthropologist) and Montxo López, (History Professor, Hunter College, CUNY)

“It was totally magnetic, very inviting, and full of dread. Each time we went into a new space, something more powerful happened. It was all very vivid. At one time I got annoyed at having to go up and down the stairs, but it passed quickly: there are people in prisons being tortured and starving and being obliterated by my government …and I'm ANNOYED? The anguish of the play was so far beyond what you ever see on Broadway. I had never seen many of these things in the theatre before. You have all bitten into my heart with your ferocious teeth and I do not expect that you will be letting go for a long time.”  
Brad Butler , Stage Lighting Designer 

"An excellent idea and a magnificent staging! I could not imagine why you would want the audience to move, but seeing the play, I realized why. It was perfect! Congratulations! Keep going. You have a whole lot more to offer." 

Rodolfo Queebleen, Playwright and Editor, Hora Hispana Magazine, The Daily News

"Everything -the performances, the staging and the direction- was powerful and moving. I was engaged by it every single moment. Thrilling! It is evident that many people worked hard to make it possible, and it's really inspiring to see innovative and thought-provoking work by people from our generation."

José Antonio Cruz Director of Audience Development & Public Relations, Spanish Repertory Theater, New York 

"I enjoyed the performances as well as the overall theme of the piece. The issue of government-sponsored torture, the definition and even the purpose of torture are all problems that have not gotten adequate discussion in the U.S. The location is great. I am glad to see that building used in such an interesting way. I enjoyed 'Silence is Health' and look forward to your next effort." 

Peter Neddo, Filmmaker

"The play was as disturbing as we need it to be. I was in awe with the images you were able to create and the use of the space left me astonished. I thought of saying hi afterwards, but I preferred to savor the last image of the bride running away. I was much moved." 

Eva Vásquez, Playwright and Scholar, CUNY