Flaco Navaja

(Performer/Playwright) A poet, writer, singer, actor, and performer who was born and raised in the Bronx, NY. For 25 years he has established himself as a prominent voice of the Puerto Rican Diaspora and has graced acclaimed theater stages such as The Public Theater and Pregones/PRTT. 

As a poet/spoken word  artist he has performed nationally and internationally and has hosted the legendary open mic showcase; “All That! Hip Hop Poetry & Jazz” at the famous Nuyorican Poets’ Cafe. He’s also appeared on four episodes of the HBO series Russell Simmons’ “Def Poetry Jam” and had the honor of being a part of the Tony Award winning international tour. 

As a singer his voice can be heard singing the theme song for PBS kids animated show Alma’s Way; and on the Grammy nominated soundtrack, In The Heights the movie, along with legend Marc Anthony. Both songs were written by Lin-Manuel Miranda.  He currently performs with his band, The Razor Blades, his own style of Salsa music where he combines spoken word with old school Salsa. He recently released his first single called Cantale a la Vida, which can be heard on Spotify. 

Navaja is a SAG member and his tv/film credits include; Alma’s Way, Blue Bloods, Gotham, East WillieB, CSI: NY, ROMA: The Silent Film, Love Magical, Gun Hill Road, Fighting. All credits can be viewed on Navaja’s IMBD page. 

Darwin Noguera – Piano / Musical Director
Freddy Quintero – Bass
Brian Rivera – Timbales
Javier Quintana-Ocasio – Congas
Ángel Meléndez – Trombone

BIOS – The Razor Blades

Javier Quintana-Ocasio (Congas) – N/A

Darwin Noguera (Musical Director/Piano) Hailing from Managua, Nicaragua, Darwin Noguera is sculpting a formidable name for himself in the world of Latin and Jazz. Inspired by the likes of icons such as Chucho Valdes and Robert Glasper, the eclectic artist continues to enthrall and excite listeners with rich compositions. A promising artist, Darwin is swiftly becoming an emerging voice in the Latin Jazz scene, having helmed 3 albums, commissioned works, recordings, performances and masterclasses across the United States and the world.

A DePaul University alumnus, Darwin pursued his musical passions, successfully earning a Bachelor of Music in Performing Arts Management and a minor in Business Administration. He continued his trajectory in the arts, earning a Masters Degree at the prestigious Manhattan School of Music in New York City where he was also awarded a merit scholarship.

In 2017, the artist made his Carnegie Hall debut, along with contemporary icon Bobby Sanabria. He has been an inducted member of the multi-Grammy Award nominated Bobby Sanabria Multiverse Bigband for 5 years. Their latest recording, “West Side Story: Reimagined” has been nominated for a Grammy Award in 2020- a record on which Darwin exhibits his skilled piano expertise. The Darwin Noguera Group is the artist’s latest project which blends and fuses Afro Cuban Jazz and Jazz Rap rhythms.

Curating new, experimental and intriguing works, Darwin Noguera is currently working on several refreshing singles, “Fourth Dimension”, “Changes” and “Adonai” slated to be released in early 2022.

He is one of the most sought-after pianists working in Jazz and hopes to continue the listening legacy in the Latin jazz genre. Having performed or recorded with Grammy Award winning artists and masters such as Paquito D’Rivera, Joel Frahm, Miguel Zenon, Giovanni Hidalgo, John Benitez, Candido Camero, and several others, Darwin is a true force to be reckoned with.

Ángel Meléndez (Trombone) – N/A

Freddy Quintero (Bass) is from Punto Fijo, Venezuela. Freddy started his journey in music at
age twelve at El Sistema program in his hometown. Quintero moved to Chicago in 2015 and since then, he has volunteered at the El Sistema-inspired music program “The People’s Music School” as well as collaborating with the Chicago Children’s Choir. Freddy has shared the stage with big name artists as well as ensembles of diverse genres such as drummers Dana Hall, Ernie Adams, Jessie Caraballo, percussionists Ruben Alvarez, Pibo Marquez, Diego “El Negro” Alvarez, saxophonists Pat Mallinger, Greg Ward, violinist James Sanders & Conjunto, composer and multi-instrumentalist Clarice Assad, Brazilian guitarist Luciano Antonio, CALJE (Chicago Afro-Latin Jazz Ensemble), Chicago Latin Jazz Collective, Christian singers JoAnn Rosario, Julissa, Salsa artists Tony Vega, Maelo Ruiz, DLG, Tito Nieves, Jose Alberto “El Canario”, Tito Puente Jr., Grammy-nominated band Angel Melendez & “911 Mambo Orchestra”, Grammy-nominated trumpeter and educator Victor Garcia, Grammy-nominated Cuban pianist Chuchito Valdes, Latin Grammy-winner Colombian artist 123 Andres, Grammy-winner trumpeter and composer Humberto Ramirez, just to name a few.

Quintero has perform at several festivals and venues throughout the U.S. including Lollapalooza, Chicago Jazz Festival, Hyde Park Jazz Festival, Chicago Latin Jazz Festival, Chicago Colombian Festival, Jazz in The Park (Milwaukee, WI), Jazz at Five (Madison, WI), Valparaiso University Jazz Festival (Valparaiso, IN), California WorldFest (Grass Valley, CA), Perdue University, Northwestern University, United Center, The Green Mill, Jazz Showcase, The Jazz Kitchen (Indianapolis, IN), Yoshi’s Jazz Club (San Francisco, CA), An Die Musik (Baltimore), Nighttown (Cleveland), Dazzle (Denver, CO), Aragon Ballroom, House of Blues, Rosas’s Lounge, Buddy Guy’s. and many more.

Freddy Quintero is currently majoring in Music Education at Northeastern Illinois University.

Brian Rivera (Timbales) Brian was Born and Raised in Humboldt Park Chicago IL to parents of Puerto Rican Descent. Father from Luquillo PR, Mother from Utuado PR. His passion for drumming and various percussive instruments including Conga, Timbal, y Bongo began at the young age of 13yrs old. Attending Chicago’s Merit School of Music in High school then moving on to Western Illinois University. Brian is one of most esteemed percussionists in the Chicago Afro Latino / Salsa Scene Today. Brian is a first call percussionist with over 20yrs of experience in the industry performing with many international recording artists: Tony Vega, Jerry Rivera, Tito Nieves, Maelo Ruiz, Charlie Aponte, Johnny Rivera, NG2, N’Klabe.

Miranda Gonzalez – Director

Michelle Housh Production/Stage Manager

Manuel Ortiz – Scenic Design

Harrison Ornelas – Technical Director

Mike Sperling – Carpenter

Ellie Humphrys – Lighting Design

Audio Engineer – Antonio Bruno, Reno Cruz

Scenic Charge – Frances Nicole

Asst. Scenic Charge – Luis Muñoz

Elena Magdaleno – Graphic Design 

Tonio Bruno – Producer

Ivan Vega – Producer

BIOS:

Antonio Bruno (Producer) – is a Chicago native, growing up in the West Humboldt Park and Belmont Craigin Neighborhoods. He currently serves as Company Manager for UrbanTheater Company. He was Managing Director of Theater Arts at the Northwestern Settlement House. Antonio has been a freelance Sound Designer, Production Manager, Composer, Teaching Artist and Producer. Antonio has worked with Teatro Tariakuri, After School Matters, The Miracle Center, Windy City Theater, Street Level Youth Media, Digital Youth Media, En Las Tablas, Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center, Chicago Dramatist, Adventure Stage Chicago, Theater Wit, Collectivo El Poso, The Massive, Chicago Latino Theater Alliance, Aguijon Theater, Teatro Luna West, Howlround Theater Commons, and Dreamworks Films. Antonio sits on the steering committee for the Latinx Theater Commons assisting with grant narratives, retreat planning and general guidance. Antonio has worked in the Chicago Theatrical and Arts world since 2007 and continues to strive to make the arts accessible and available to communities that have traditionally lacked access and resources. In his role at UrbanTheater Company Antonio works in a shared leadership role with Miranda Gonzalez and Ivan Vega on all administrative goals, including but not limited to strategic planning, season planning, production, grant writing, community outreach, marketing and more. At The Northwestern Settlement House Antonio managed the theater arts programming, rental venue, general theater management, and facilities upkeep. As a Composer Antonio explores music in many different ways, in his “you sent the message” series of work, Antonio entered the creative process as an exploration of instinct and familiarity, finding challenges with Time as a limited resource yet a freedom to engage with sound without hesitation or the hindrance of practicing perfection. You can find his musical works under the name Dr. Rock Strongo on all streaming platforms.

Michelle Housh (Stage Manager) has been working with UrbanTheater Company since early 2019. She went to school for Theater Production at University of Wisconsin – Parkside. Michelle would like to thank the producers here at UTC and her loved ones for continuing to support and encourage her growth in the theater industry. 

Ellie Humphrys (Lighting Design) graduated in 2012 with a BFA in Lighting Design from The Theatre School at DePaul University and has been working the Chicago theatre scene ever since. Select design credits include: Last Night in Karaoke Town (The Factory Theatre), Gather (Filament Theatre), The Queen of Sock Pairing (Red Tape Theatre), Detour Guide (Silk Road Rising/Stage Left Theatre), Hellcab (The Agency Theatre Collective), Belfast Girls (Artemesia Theatre), and Ladies First (Laboratory Dancers). More information and an online portfolio can be found at www.ellielightstheatre.com

Harrison Ornelas (Technical Director) – was born and raised in Chicago. He graduated from Columbia College Chicago 15’ and immediately started working in the city’s thriving theater community from storefront to larger houses and festivals. Previously Harrison has designed sets for Not For Sale and Back In The Day for UrbanTheater. Currently, Harrison has been the Technical Director for both Lifeline Theatre and Remy Bumppo Theatre Co since July 2019. He is very excited to see the return of live theater and working with UrbanTheater once again!

Manny Ortiz (Scenic Design) – N/A

Iván Vega (Producer) is an actor, producer, and co-founder of UrbanTheater Company (UTC). He served as the artistic director for first five years and its current Executive Director for the last twelve years. He works with the Puerto Rican Cultural Center overseeing its Safe Passage program and proudly serves as a board member of The League of Chicago Theatres. His acting credits include: A Lover’s Dismantling: Fragments of a Scenic Discourse at The Goodman’s Latino Theater Festival/UTC; Cuba and His Teddy Bear/UTC (Midwest Premiere); Broken Thread/UTC (World Premiere); Eulogy for a Small Time Thief at Batey Urbano/UTC (2007 After Dark Award for Outstanding Performance as ‘David Dancer’) & Hortensia and the Museum of Dreams at Victory Gardens. Other credits include: Short Eyes at Aguijon Theater/UTC (Inaugural Production); Refrences to Salvador Dali Make Me Hot at Bailiwick; Perversiones at Aguijón Theater (2004 International Theater Festival in Arequipa/Cusco, Peru); Anna In The Tropics at Victory Gardens (World Premiere). TV credits include: Station Eleven (HBO Max), Proven Innocent (Fox), The Line (CBS pilot), Chicago P.D. (NBC), Chicago Fire (NBC), The Chi. Mr. Vega holds his Bachelor’s in Fine Arts in acting from the Theatre Conservatory at Roosevelt University.