
FEBRUARY 17-MARCH 6, 2022
VAN FLEET THEATRE, COLUMBUS PERFORMING ARTS CENTER (CPAC)
549 FRANKLIN AVENUE, COLUMBUS, OHIO 43215
Imagine Chinese legend Hua Mulan set in the world of Lucha Libre, Mexican wrestling. This heart-warming, magical story breaks down gender boundaries, explores the importance of heritage and family bonds, and emphasizes why we should strive to be true to ourselves. Will Mascara Rosa steal the title from El Hijo in the ring? And, who is behind that pink mask? Come and see Luchadora! for a surprising reveal!
Recommended for ages 7 and up.
BY:
Alvaro Saar Rios
DIRECTED BY:
Chris Leyva
CAST
Victoria Vazquez Ramirez
I’m Victoria, I’m 10 years old and I’m in 5th grade, “La Luchadora” is my first participation in a play, I’m kid 3, and I’m very excited about this opportunity, I really like to sing and draw and everything that makes you want to do with the arts.
is 10 years old and in 5th grade, Luchadora! is her first role in a play, Victoria is playing kid 3, and is very excited about this opportunity, She likes to sing, draw, and anything that involves creativity and art.
Victoria Vazquez Ramirez
Newspaper Kid 3/EnsembleJude McGonigle
Jude McGonigle (He/ Him/ His) (Newspaper Kid 2/Ensemble) is 12 years old and a seventh-grader at World Language Middle School in Columbus. He has always enjoyed performing and is so glad to be back on stage again. Jude’s favorite role he has ever played was The Hulk because he got to be loud and to Smash! In his spare time, he enjoys playing video games and snuggling with his two guinea pigs, Snickers, and Butterscotch.
Jude McGonigle
Newspaper Kid 2/EnsembleOliver Jap
Oliver Jap (He/ Him/ His) (Newspaper Kid 1/Ensemble) is in the 5th grade and is looking forward to playing the roles of Newspaper Boy and Kid 1 in CATCO’s Luchadora!. He has performed in Worthington Community Theatre’s production of A Fairy Tale Christmas Story, CATCO’s Annie Kids, and Worthington Christian School’s One Week Playerz Workshop. Oliver enjoys playing football, swimming team, modeling, singing, and goofing around with his two younger brothers. We are always thrilled when he is given the chance to perform on stage!
Oliver Jap
Newspaper Kid 1/EnsembleKennedy Spitzer
Kennedy Spitzer (She/ Her/ Hers) (Hannah) is thrilled to be back on stage. She has previously been seen in A Christy Story: The Musical, Our Town, A Midsummers Night’s Dream, Radium Girls, RENT, and many others. She would like to thank her Grandfather for his theatrical inspiration, and audiences for coming out to support live theatre!
Kennedy Spitzer
HannahKeegan Hardin
Keegan Hardin (She/ Her/ Hers) (Liesl) started her singing and acting career almost 3 years ago. She has performed in numerous plays both virtually and on stage, the most recent being her role as Nancy in A Christmas Story – The Musical with the Columbus Children’s Theater. Keegan is a 5th grader at High Point Elementary School in Gahanna. She loves to sing, act, read, and play with her two sisters and dog.
Keegan Hardin
LieslVincent Maneri
Vincent Maneri (He/ Him/ His) (Leopold) is thrilled to return to the CATCO stage for Luchadora!. Vincent is fourteen years old. In his first CATCO role, he played the lead role of Buddy in Elf Jr., the Musical. His most recent CATCO role was Tigger in Winnie the Pooh, Christmas Tail, Vincent has also danced in Balletmet’s productions of The Nutcracker, Twisted II, and Giselle. Most recently he played Mr. Beck in Dominion Middle School’s production of The Curse of Macbeth. In addition to his passion for acting, Vincent is also a musician. His primary instrument is drums, and he is proud to hold the drum chair in the Columbus Youth Jazz Orchestra. He also plays guitar and piano.
Vincent Maneri
LeopoldAlexis Foulis
Alexis Foulis (She/ Her/ Hers) (Vanessa) has been dedicated to her high school theatre program for almost four years. Starting at the beginning of her freshman year, Alexis took a theatre class that opened a door to a world of drama that enabled her to learn new theatrical skills and gave her a background in theatre that was given to her by an amazing director. She has learned the art of patience and resilience in her years of acting. She performed in 2 plays and 6 musicals including It’s a Wonderful Life: Live Radio Play, Newsies, Mamma Mia, Shakespeare in Love, Elf, Matilda, Calling Amelia: A Lovewell Musical, and, most recently, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer!
Alexis Foulis
VanessaTom Murdock
Tom Murdock (Ring Announcer/Green Luchador/Yellow Luchador) is excited to be joining CATCO for his first production with the company! He has appeared in numerous stage productions throughout Columbus, is an alumnus of the College Light Opera Company in Falmouth, MA and is a graduate of The Ohio State University. Recent credits include Let’s Hope You Feel Better (Isaac Abrams, MadLab) and Much Ado About Nothing (Don John/Margaret/Verges, Actors’ Theatre of Columbus). Much love and thanks to Tess, Ripley, and the whole family.
Tom Murdock
Ring Announcer/Green Luchador/Yellow LuchadorByron Reyna-Corzo
Byron Reyna-Corzo (He/ Him/ His) (El Hijo/Blue Luchador) made his return to theatre after a 13-year hiatus following performances in Plight Before Christmas and Fiddler on the Roof in high school. He spent the past four years traveling the midwest as a luchador known as Espiritu Maya and is thankful for Chris Leyva giving him the opportunity to mix both passions with Luchadora! He would also like to thank his mother and father for always supporting him.
Byron Reyna-Corzo
El Hijo/Blue LuchadorCory Velazco
Cory Velazco (He/ Him/ His) (Father) is proud to be stepping into the ring with CATCO for this production. It has been a thoroughly enjoyable experience. Huge thanks to my Abuelo, Ernesto Velazco, for always calling me into his room to watch wrestling. It was an essential part of childhood. Thanks to my Poppa, Rafael Velazco, for taking me to see my first wrestling show. And thanks to my best friend, Clay Hargrave, for encouraging our road trip to Texas for Wrestlemania 32. All of you have been instrumental in getting me to this play. Now, sit back, and enjoy the match!
Cory Velazco
FatherElena Foulis
Elena Foulis (She/ Her/ Hers) (Mask Maker) is a professor at the Ohio State University. She teaches undergraduate courses in service learning, Latin American Literature, and Spanish for heritage. She has taken several workshops in devised theater and has co-created four performances, in-person and virtual, with her students using oral histories of Latinas/os/x in Ohio as a point of inspiration. In the summer of 2021, she participated in a short performance with the Cleveland Public Theater, titled “La frontera and the heart.” Foulis is host and producer for the Podcast Latin@ Stories and she also serves as Commissioner for the Ohio Latina Affairs Commission. Elena was born in El Salvador, grew up in northern Mexico, and moved to Ohio in 1992. She loves to cook, dance, perform, and spend time with her family and friends.
Elena Foulis
Mask MakerSara Pardo Fishburn
Sara Pardo Fishburn (She/ Her/ Hers) (Nana Lupita) is delighted to be returning to the CATCO stage in Luchadora! Other favorite roles: Sharon Graham/Masterclass (CATCO debut), Baker’s Wife/Into the Woods, Catherine/Pippin, Adelaide/Guys and Dolls, Marguerite/Carmen, Laetitia/The Old Maid and the Thief, and Fiordiligi/Così fan tutte. When not performing, Sara is an active voice instructor at Otterbein University and her students can be seen on musical theatre stages across the country. Her most important gig, though, is the role of mother. This performance is dedicated to los amores de su vida – Travis, Harrison, and Ezra.