Category Archives: News

NY’s Castillo Theatre Presents a multi-media production: “Even Under Bitterness,” w. Sohrab on sax

Otto Rene CastilloNY’s Castillo Theatre presents the American premiere of Even Under Bitterness being directed by the Munich-based theatre artist, Hans Melzer. Even Under Bitterness is an avant-garde, multi-media performance made up of poems written by our namesake, the Guatemalan poet and activist, Otto René Castillo.

Even Under Bitterness will be performed in English and German featuring German actress, Gabi Heller, and two Castillo actresses: Madelyn Chapman and Olivia Luna. The poems will be accompanied by improvised live music along with video projections.

The musicians are: Michael Armann (music director, piano), David Belmont (dobro and percussion) & Sohrab Saadat Ladjevardi (sax, percussion & voice)

Even Under Bitterness opens at the Castillo Theatre on May 6 and runs through May 15 – only six shows of this American premiere! Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 PM. Sunday, May 8 at 2:00 PM. Sunday, May 15 at 4:30 PM after the Otto René Castillo Awards for Political Theatre.

Tickets are $35, $15 for seniors, and $10 for students. Group rates are available. Tickets can be purchased through the Castillo Box Office at 212-941-1234 or online at https://web.ovationtix.com/trs/cal/2912/1462075200000.

Special News: Sohrab’s non-profit organization Musicians For Musicians, Inc

MFM jpg logoThe purpose of  Musicians For Musicians, Inc (MFM) is to raise the standard of living for working musicians in the greater New York City area. The mission is to form a grass roots organization of professional independent musicians to share their experience, knowledge and inspiration, and to build a vibrant and sustainable community that supports living wages, health care and pension benefits for all musicians.

Why is Sohrab doing this?

Simply, he’s tired of complaining about anything that doesn’t work in his musician’s life…and he’s tired of hearing his peers complaining in the same way. Sohrab believes that changes in musicians lives can only be done as a group. Musicians need to organize!

Only a big group of musicians can tackle their problems. The public will get aware of them and listen to their messages. But before becoming a voice musicians need to revolutionize themselves first, i.e. musicians have to become educated. They need to know what’s going wrong, admit that they made mistakes in the past, find a language to speak with each other in a comprehensive way. Understand that they work (YES composing and performing music is WORK!), and that they aren’t different from other working people.

During the last two years he’s met many musicians and music activists who feel the same way. They support Sohrab’s endeavour and share the idea that now is the right time to organise musicians regardless what music style they play.

The slogan of the foundation is making music is a profession! Musicians become adults, forget that being an artist doesn’t mean that you’re not working. Like anybody you need social benefits, such as health insurance, a pension fund, etc.