FOREVERTANGO

fOREVER TANGO
Orchestra Director
Victor Lavallén
Dancers
Jorge Torres & Marcela Durán
Eva Lucero & Patricio Touceda
Julio Altez & Carolina García
Juan Carlos Martinez & Nora Witanowsky
Alejandra Gutty & Juan Paulo Horvath
Guillermina Quiroga
Singer
Martín de León
Musicians
Bandoneons: Víctor Lavallén Carlos Niesi
Héctor Del Curto Jorge Trivisonno
Violins: Rodion Boshoer Abraham Becker
Viola: Alexander Sechkin
Cello: Luis Bravo Bass: Pablo Motta
Piano: Jorge Vernieri Keyboard: Fernando Marzán
Lighting Design Costume Design Sound Design Hair and Make-Up Design
Luis Bravo Argemira Affonso Mike Miller Jean Luc Don Vito
Production Manager Stage Manager Master Elctrician
Carlor Díaz Jorge González Alexander Kordics
Company Manager
Oscar Leguizamón
Choreography by
The Dancers
Created and Directed by
Luis Bravo
ACT I
Preludio del Bandoneón y la Noche
Performed by Eva Lucero & Patricio Touceda
Overture
Orchestra
El Suburbio
Company
“ A Los Amigos"
Orchestra
"Derecho Viejo"
Performed by Claudio Villagra & Karina Piazza
Uno
Performed by Martín de León
"La Mariposa"
Performed by Julio Altez & Carolina García
La Tablada
Performed by Juan Carlos Martinez & Nora Witanowsky
La Bordona
Performed by Alejandra Gutty & Juan Paulo Horvath
SVP
Performed by Jorge Torres & Marcela Durán
Responso
Orchestra
Oro y Plata
Candombe
Eva Lucero & Patricio Touceda
Claudio Villagra & Karina Piazza
Julio Altez & Carolina García
Juan Carlos Martinez & Nora Witanowsky
Alejandra Gutty & Juan Paulo Horvath
INTERMISSION
ACT II
Tanguera
Orchestra
Romance entre el Bandoneón y mi Alma
Performed by Jorge Torres & Guillermina Quiroga
Jelousy
Orchestra
Violin Solo: Rodion Boshoer
Quejas de Bandoneón
Performed by Julio Altez & Carolina García
"Gallo Ciego"
Performed by Claudio Villagra & Karina Piazza
Zum
Performed by Alejandra Gutty & Juan Paulo Horvath
El Día que me Quieras
Performed by Martín de León
La Cumparsita
Performed by
Julio Altez & Carolina García
Alejandra Gutty & Juan Paulo Horvath
Claudio Villagra & Karina Piazza
Felicia
Performed by Juan Carlos Martinez & Nora Witanowsky
Adiós Nonino
Orchestra
"Vampitango"
Performed by Claudio Villagra & Guillermina Quiroga
A Evaristo Carriego
Performed by Jorge Torres & Marcela Durán
Romance del "Bandoneón y la Noche"
Performed by Eva Lucero & Patricio Touceda
Finale
Jorge Torres & Marcela Durán
Claudio Villagra & Karina Piazza
Juan Carlos Martinez & Nora Witanowsky
Alejandra Gutty & Juan Paulo Horvath
Julio Altez & Carolina García
JORGE TORRES (Dancer / Dance Captain)
His refined talent and style place him among the outstanding
Choreographers and dancers of Argentine Tango.
Before graduating as a teacher of dances, Jorge began his career in the Colon Theater in Argentina.
He has studied with Norberto Guichanduc, Rodolfo Dinzel, Pepito Avellaneda and Antonio Todaro.
He has danced in the most noted tango houses and theaters of Argentina wit the most renowned
Tango orchestras.
He has participated in such shows as "Imagenes", "Tango y Añoranzas", "La Pesada del Tango",
"Tangokinesis", “Tanguisimo 91", "Tango Tango", "Viva Tango", "Tango Passion", "Buenos Aires
tango show" and "Tango Seduccion".
In 1998 Jorge was nominated with Forever Tango for the Tony Awards for best choreography.
and four Drama Desk Awards.
He has recorded with Karen Kain "A Evaristo Carriego" for CBC, Canadian Broadcasting
Company, directed by Luis Bravo.
He has coordinated such events as the "World Tango Week 2002" in Tokyo and
"Tango Legend" summoning the bet figures every year.
He was invited to perform with the Sexteto Mayor at the Santiago Municipal Theater in Chile
He was also a member of the jury for the “First World Championship of Argentinean Tango" in
Buenos Aires in 2003.
At the moment he dictates conferences in the University of El Salvador in Argentina.
He joined Forever Tango in 1995, at the present he holds the position of Dance Captain.
MARCELA DURAN
.
She joined the cast of Forever Tango on December 1994. She danced for ten years with Carlos
Gavito performing two classic of the show: "S.V.P" and "A EVARISTO CARRIEGO".
She performed for the series "Evening at Pops" with the Boston Pops Orchestra broadcast by PBS.
She was part of the original cast at the Broadway premier of Forever Tango, in June 1997, when the
show was nominated for the "Tony Award" and "Drama Desk" as best choreography.
Marcela performed in the Spoleto Festival, Italy and toured through USA, Canada, Europe and
Asia with the show. She has also performed at the Colon Theater Opera House in Buenos Aires in
1999.
She was the winner of the Dance sport Championship (International Dance Organization) on Tango
Argentino "2000".
Marcela Duran has worked as a dance teacher for the Argentine government, specializing in modern
dance and tango. She has performed at the Teatro Colon, and the Teatro San Martin in Buenos
Aires. She has been a member of the successful production of Forever Tango at the Strand Theatre
in London in 1995 where she partnered Roberto "Alemán" Tonet.
During the period of ten years of her association with the show she has performed in 50 cities
GUILLERMINA QUIROGA
She started as a ballet dancer and her professional career found her on stage as a performer in important
works such as Carmina Burana, Coppelia, Principe Igor, Aida, Don Quijote and others.
In 1988 she entered the world of the milongas in Buenos Aires becoming the partner of choice of the
seasoned milongueros, particularly Puppy Castello. One year later she was awarded the coveted "Hugo
del Carril" first place trophy in the first edition of the prestigious tango tournament sponsored by the
municipality of Buenos Aires. Thus begun her professional career as a tango dancer.
A career that earned her soloist and prima ballerina billing with the Julio Iglesias world tour, the
orchestras of John Mauceri, Luis Bacalov, Maestros Jose Colangelo, Mariano Mores, Beba Pugliese,
Orlando Tripodi, Juan Jose Mosalini and Color Tango, and the critically acclaimed shows Tango x 2,
Tango Argentino, Luis Bravo’s Forever Tango and Malambo.
More than fifty countries and on the most prestigious stages she has received the accolades of both
critics and public for her exquisite, pristine and authentic performance of the Argentine Tango dance:
Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Radio City Music Hall, Gershwin Theater on Broadway, Town Hall in
New York, Hollywood Bowl, Universal Studios Amphitheater, Harvard University, Caesar's Palace in
Las Vegas, The Kremlin in Moscow, Herodes Athicus at the Partenon in Athens, Luna Park, Teatros
Opera, Gran Rex, Metropolitan, Lola Membrives and San Martin in Buenos Aires.
She was recognized with a special mention at the Tony Awards for the best choreography, for Lo Que
Vendra, the company grand finale of Forever Tango. She choreographed Libertango for the 1997 Ice
skating World champions Gritsuk-Platov, who obtained the gold medal in Nagano, Japan a year later.
She also choreographed Fantasia de Tango for Cassano Dancing in 1997, El Choclo for the Japanese
Ballet Johnies, Oblivion for Tango Magic, and various compositions for the Julio Iglesias World Tour
1997-98-99.
In another facet of her talented career, Guillermina has already been featured on the silver screen,
claiming as her credits, Naked Tango, Oratorio a Gardel, Funes - un gran amor, Despues de la tormenta,
Tango, and Marie Galante in Buenos Aires. She just made her Hollywood debut as an actress and
choreographer in Valentina's Tango.
Bringing together her multifaceted talent as a dancer, teacher, choreographer and actress, she has
produced her own show “Los Tangos de la Cabala”, where the mystic and mystery of the tango, the
enigma of human relations and the magic of the movies interweave and intertwine on stage.
EVA LUCERO & PATRICIO TOUCEDA
They joined Forever Tango in Chicago, in 1996. This couple studied with well-known dancers Carlos
Rivarola, Antonio Todaro and Mingo Pugliese. Together, they have performed at the most prestigious
tango houses in Argentina, including “El Querandí” and “La Ventana” as well at the largest theatres in
Buenos Aires such as Teatro Colon and Teatro Cervantes. Between 1990 and 1996, they were members
of the famous Ballet Folklórico Nacional de Argentina and in 1992 they performed with “El Sexeto
Mayor” and “La Orquesta de Berlinghierí” with whom they traveled to Spain, Bulgaria and Portugal.
Later, they traveled to Colombia, Brazil and Chile for special appearances on television. Recently, the
couple appeared in Alan Parker’s film, Evita.
They were members of the cast in the debut performance at the Walter Kerr Theatre on Broadway in
June 1997.
CLAUDIO VILLAGRA & KARINA PIAZZA
KARINA PIAZZA was born in Buenos Aires. She started dancing at the age of five and made her
career as a Ballet dancer at the Instituto Superior de Arte del Teatro Colon. In 1988 she joined the
Modern Jazz Ballet and toured throughout Argentina for several years. In 1995 she became a
member of Forever Tango, and for six years, performed throughout the U.S., Canada, Italy,
Portugal, Japan, Korea, and Mexico. In 1996 she participated with the company at the Spoleto
Festival, and Forever Tango became the festival’s sensation. Piazza was part of the original cast
that opened on Broadway in 1997. In 1999 she traveled with Tango Vivo through Canada. As a
soloist dancer for Latin Dance Carnival in 2002, Piazza toured fifteen cities in Japan. In between
touring around the world, she danced and choreographed in Argentina, performing in venues from El
Viejo Almacen to Taconeando.
CLAUDIO VILLAGRA toured Argentina with Sabor a Tango and Sexteto Sur. He has shared the
stage with international performers such as Julian Plaza, Osvaldo Berlinghieri, and Virginia Luque.
Villagra has toured throughout the U.S., Brazil, and Central America with A.Calo’s Tango Review
and toured Japan in Piazzolla by Piazzolla’s Tango 2000. He performed with Nueva Compañía
Tangueros in Italy and Tango Fatal in Chile. As a member of Buenos Aires Tango he traveled
throughout China. In Switzerland, Claudio danced in Tango Metropolis. He caught Luis Bravo’s
attention in Buenos Aires in 1997 and was immediately invited to join the cast of Forever Tango.
He performed on Broadway for more than a year, and has toured with the show throughout the
U.S., Canada, and Mexico. An extremely versatile dancer, he has performed a variety of styles and
routines with various partners such as Natalia Hills, Miriam Larici, Romina Levin, Cecilia Narova
and currently with Karina Piazza and Guillermina Quiroga. He is also a member of Bravo’s new
production, Malambo.
JUAN PABLO HORVATH & ALEJANDRA GUTTY
Juan covers a very wide range of forms and styles: Tango, Folklore, Jazz and Contemporary Dance.
From 1989 to 1996 he was a member of the Ballet Brandsen, where he performed principal rolls as
well as Dance Captain.
From 1996 to 2001 he was one of the principal dancers at the legendary Ballet Folklórico Nacional
in Argentina and toured the whole country.
He has also toured internationally through Brazil, Chile, Uruguay, Albany, and 23 cities in Japan.
In 1999 assisted Miguel A. Zotto to mount a choreographic scene with a fusion in tango-folkloreand
contemporary dance for a performance in Brazil.
He has performed in “Tango Sinfónico” with Miguel A Zotto, Pablo Ziegler and the Sydney
Symphony Orchestra at the Opera House in Australia, in 2000 and 2001.
He participated as a teacher and performer at the “London 2002 Festival”.
He recently joined the cast of Forever Tango for the current engagement on Broadway
Alejandra discovered the art of tango in the world of the milongas in Buenos Aires where she
learned the technique and essence from the seasoned milongueros.
She studied and developed her dance, incorporating contemporary techniques in release and contact
improvisation.
She has worked in publicity for Samsung in Korea and Indonesia.
In 1999 she performed in Korea sponsored by the Argentine Government
In year 2000 and 2001 she performed in Buenos Aires for the Minister of Culture: “El Diaz de la
Musical Ciudadana”, “Buenos Aires Tango”, “Festival Bs. As. Tango 2000”, “Pa’ que bailen los
muchachos”; “Buenos Aires Tango” Festival 2001, all events held at Teatro General San Martín.
After the very intense calendar in Argentina, she toured Europe for six months.
In Italy she performed and conducted workshops in Torino and Milano.
In Spain she was part of the “8º Festival Internacional de Tango Argentino en Sitges” (Barcelona),
where she also performed as a teacher.
In Hamburg, Germany, she also dictated master classes and was a member of the “Fourth
International Tango Festival”.
In 2002 she was in Tokyo performing in Tokyo, Nagano, Nagoya and Kobe where she participated
at the “Tango Week in Tokyo”, and performing with the show “Tango Legend”.
Alejandra took Mr. Bravo’s attention last year and was invited to participate in Forver Tango for
the show’s return to Broadway.
JULIO ALTEZ & CAROLINA GARCÍA
Julio Altez was the winner of the Carlos Gardel Competition, sponsored by the Argentine
government. In 1991 he performed in Madrid at Feria Internacional de las Naciones and between
1992 and 1997 he worked in Japan performing with the Kyoto’s Orchestra Astrorico, the Tokyo
Orchestra, Donatto Racciatti, and Jorge Ardu. He has toured throughout the U.S., Italy, New
Zealand, Mexico, and Japan. Carolina García began her studies of Classical, Spanish, and Folkloric
dance at very young age. Her energetic, elegant, and vivid style caught Luis Bravo’s attention and
she opened with Forever Tango at the Marquis Theatre on Broadway in 1998. She has toured with
Forever Tango in Japan, Korea, Mexico, Canada, Italy, Portugal, and the U.S. They just toured
with the show in Mexico, Shanghai and Japan.
VICTOR LAVALLEN (Orchestra Conductor):
Maestro Lavallén was born in Rosario, Argentina. He began his career with Eduardo Serrano’s
Orchestra. In 1950 he played Bandoneon for Antonio Arciari. Afterwards he joined Miguel Caló´s
Orchestra . He has also played with Angel Dominguez, Miguel Nijensohn, Enrique Mario Francini
and with Atilio Stampone where he became the lead Bandoneón. In 1957 he participated in the
orchestra directed by Juan Jose Paz, and in 1958 he joined Osvaldo Pugliese´s Orchestra , where
he diligently assimilated and perfected the strength and subtleties of this Orchestra’s style.
Some of the musical arraignments of his work that standout are “Gallo Diego” and “Bandoneón
Arrabalero” Among others. In 1965 Mr. Lavallén toured with Osvaldo Pugliese throughout Russia,
China and Japan. Three years later he founded the “ Sexteto Tango” and toured throughout Central
America, United States and France.
He was also a member of the “Orchestra Municipal del Tango”. Later on forming a new group called
“Color Tango” in 1989, which toured throughout Holland and Finland.
In 1991 he formed part of the Orchestra of Mariano Mores. Four years later, in 1995 he toured all
through Japan with Orlando Trípodi´s Orchestra.
He joined Forever Tango in London in 1995 and since 1996 he became the orchestra director of one
of Forever Tango’s companies.
JORGE VERNIERI (Pianist)
The recipient of many awards for excellence in performance, he is not only a master pianist, but also
a creative composer, arranger and orchestra leader.
He started his musical training at the age of seven in Argentina. At ten he was admitted to the “
Manuel De Falla ” Buenos Aires conservatory from which he graduated with a Master of Music
Degree at the age of eighteen.
He turned professional at fifteen and played with orchestras such as: Eduardo Del Piano, Lezica –
Laviè, Armando Pontier, Miguel Calò and many others. He recorded also with the renowned
Lucho Gatica. He performed post-graduate studies on piano and composition at the Puerto Rico
Conservatory with J. M. Sanromà.
He joined Forever Tango in Toronto in 1996.
Before moving to United States, Mr. Vernieri toured extensively through Latin America playing
recitals as a concert pianist and performing with bands and orchestras in Buenos Aires, Mexico
City, Bogotá, San Juan de Puerto Rico, etc. He is equally capable of playing as a classical music
performer or a popular music player. He has played on TV, radio, concerts halls, resort hotels and
nightclubs.
He has performed as a soloist in Toronto and Montreal. He lived for many years in Los Angeles
where he played with Lalo Schifrin and the late Henry Mancini. In Georgia, Mr. Vernieri has given
concerts at the universities of Athens and Emory. Also in Salt Lake City at BYU. He was a member
of the Florida Chamber Orchestra and in Las Vegas he gave concerts of classical music and tango
with The Youth Camerata Orchestra.
While living in Las Vegas for five years, Mr. Vernieri was the pianist for the Tropicana’s “Follies
Bergere” and the “Lido Du Paris” at the Stardust and the Dunes Hotels.
MARTIN DE LEON (Singer)
He started his artistic career in the 70’s in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Martín De León arrived to the United States in 1975 under contract with “Café Latinoamericano” in
Manhattan, where he shared the stage with Facundo Cabral, Ginamaria Hidalgo and Maestro
Savicas among others.
In 1976 he performed at New York’s Town Hall.
In 1978 he held his first concert at the Carnegie Recital Hall with the show “Nueva Canción
Latinoamericana.”
In 1984 Martín performed throughout the USA with “The Center for the Performing Arts”.
The success of his hit “No Me Llames Extranjero” (Don’t Call me Foreigner) took him to The
Astrodome, The Coliseum and The Astroworld of Houston, Texas.
While in New York, he performed at the “Summer Festival” at the World Trade Center with Tito
Puente.
In the same year, Martín was chosen by Maestro Astor Piazzolla to perform his “María de Buenos
Aires”.
Also in 1987 he performed at the United Nations celebrating “100 Years of Gardel”.
He was interviewed by PBS, which aired nationwide.
He has also performed at WABC New York Channel 7 in the program “Tiempo”.
In 1992, he participated in a tribute to Astor Piazzolla in New York with Al Di Meola, Dino
Saluzzy, Gary Mulligan and the quintet directed by Maestro Raúl Jaurena.
Mr. de León returned to Argentina in 1993 sharing the stage with Rubén Juárez, Alba Solís and Raúl
Lavié at the “Café Homero”.
In 1994 he toured Japan for over two months.
In 1996 he performed with Mariano Mores at the piano, for the Jean Cartier de Oro Awards
ceremony at the Miami Hilton’s famous "Tropigala Club".
He was named Florida’s "Distinguished Visitor" at the "Festival Argentino" in Miami, where he
also performed at the “First Tango Festival” together with Argentino Ledesma, Horacio Deval,
Alberto Podestá and Jorge Valdez, receiving the Best New Artist Award.
He was the special guest at the “First Argentinean Week” in Mexico, DF, Poliforum Siqueiros.
In 1999 he toured Canada as part of the show “Tango Vivo.”
In 2000, De León joined “Tango Dreams,” performing throughout the United States and touring
Israel in 2001.
In 2001, he performed Piazzolla’s “María de Buenos Aires” once again, in Washington, DC.
He also performed with the show “Beats of Passion” at The Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas, NV.
In 2003, Martín DeLeón performed with “Tango Dreams” and the San Diego Symphony Orchestra
in New Mexico as well as The Long Beach Arena in Los Angeles, CA.
In 2005 he appeared with the National Hispanic Cultural Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico
with Piazzolla and Ferrer's “María de Buenos Aires”
JEAN-LUC DON VITO (Make-up and Hair Designer): His third time on Broadway. Born in
Lyon, France, where he studied both the sciences and the arts, he launched his professional career
when he won first place honors in a prominent make-up competition in Paris. He has been with
Forever Tango since 1994. Mr. Don Vito has worked on productions staged by noted directors
Claudio Segovia and Héctor Orezzoli, including Tango Argentino, Flamenco Puro, Black and Blue,
and Noche Tropical. Mr. Don Vito was also involved in the production of Cats and 42nd Street in
Paris. Last year, he designed Faust Argentino and the revue Cabaret Coconuts for Alfredo Arias in
Europe. He has done make-up for models appearing in major fashion magazines like Vogue, Elle,
Glamour, etc. and has worked on the sets of many European films and videos. He especially thanks
his master teacher Dany Sanz, creator of the line Make-up Forever.
ARGEMIRA AFFONSO (Costume Designer): Argemira Affonso, or simply "Miro", was born and
raised in the city of Manaus, in northern Brazil, along the Amazon River. She started sewing and
making clothes for her dolls before she can remember. Her mother sent her to learn embroidery and
pattern making, and though talented, Miro had no intention of following in the footsteps of her
mother, a dress maker: she hated it when her mother dragged her out of bed to he1p with the
sewing. Pursuing other interests, she enrolled at the University in Manaus and studied geography
and later administration. To make ends meet, she ran her own workshop; her designs were shown
locally at fashion shows and exhibitions. She did her first "costume work" on the movie Fitzcarraldo
which was shot in Manaus. She was nominated for the Drama Desk Award in 1998 by the
Broadway critics on the "Best Costumes Design" category.
MIKE MILLER (Sound Designer) A native of Seattle, WA, Mike Miller is a live audio engineering
veteran. He has toured the world four times over, mixing various live shows from Frank Sinatra to
Queensryche.
He joined Forever Tango in 1996 when the show visited Seattle and since then he has traveled with
the show throughout North America, Asia, Europe, Mexico and Argentina. After touring for fifteen
years, Mike is pleased to work with such a unique and artistic show as Forever Tango and Hair.
LUIS BRAVO (Director/Creator)
He was born in Añatuya, Santiago de Estero and moved to Buenos Aires when he was 8. He began
guitar studies at age 4 and later turned to the cello. Mr. Bravo attended both the Municipal
Conservatory of Music Manuel de Falla and the University of Buenos Aires. Upon graduation he
shortly afterwards became member of the Argentine National Symphony, position that held until he
moved to United States to study with the celebrated teacher Ronald Leonard. His engagements have
also included the Buenos Aires Philharmonic, Colón Theatre Opera House, Los Angeles
Philharmonic Institute Orchestra, etc.
He won numerous prizes while studying in Argentina. He has performed as a recitalist and with
chamber music ensembles throughout the country and as soloist with the major symphonies in
South America. An avid performer of Argentinean music, Mr. Bravo made the world premier of the
Double Concerto for Cello, Bandoneón and Orchestra by Lisandro Adrover - a widely praised piece
which was dedicated to him and which he performed with Mr. Adrover at the Cervantes National
Theatre with the Argentine National Symphony. Christine Walevska has said about him: "I look
forward to the day when I can add to the "Bravos" at Luis Bravo's concert performances, where I'm
sure he will be playing to the honor and pride of his great country".
In March 2001, he toured Japan with violinist Taro Hakase with whom he recorded the tango album
“Nostalgia” for Toshiba EMI with the Forever Tango Orchestra.
In addition to his soloist career, Mr. Bravo has firmly established as an artistic producer of a
recognized reputation.
He was awarded the Spoleto Festival's coveted Simpatia Prize for Forever Tango, which closed the
Italian festival in 1996. In 1998, he received a special distinction with Ruben Blades from ACE as
the two most successful Latin artists on Broadway. He made a special for CBC, Canadian
Broadcasting Company with Karen Kain where she performed with Jorge Torres "A Evaristo
Carriego" from Forever Tango. The Boston Pops Orchestra dedicated a special program with his
work for the series "Evenings at Pops" for PBS with Leslie Caron as a host.
He is deeply involved in promoting talent through his company that specializes in Argentine tango
and folkloric music.
fOREVER TANGO,bRAVO,aLTEZ