The ACE (Asociación de Cronistas de Espectáculos or The Association of Latin Entertainment Critics) is one of the most prestigious and unique awards for Latino artists and productions. Founded in 1967, the organization is dedicated to the continued support of Latino arts and entertainment and is internationally recognized.

This year’s ACE Awards have brought a healthy amount of nominations – 35 in various categories – to Repertorio Español. “Cita a ciegas,” “La nena se casa,” “El loco por fuerza,” “Reinar despues de morir,” “Bésame mucho,” “Fuenteovejuna” and “La fuerza de la costumbre” have garnered this impressive amount of recognition from this influential organization. This has also proven to be a major victory for the Van Lier Directing Fellowship, as all three of last year’s directors – Leyma López, Ines García and Franky Mancilla – have taken a grand number of nominations home.

To find out more information about the ACE and their activities, you can go to http://www.premiosace.org/.

CITA A CIEGAS
NINE ACE NOMINATIONS

Mario Diament’s love letter to Buenos Aires and the world of Borges has captivated audiences since it’s New York premiere on October 17th. A perfect storm of talent – including director Jorge Alí Triana and guest star Germán Jaramillo – swept the ACE nominations in nine categories ranging from Best Actor in a Drama to Best Lighting to Best Playwright.

Those nominated include Germán Jaramillo (Best Actor/Drama), Beatriz Cordoba (Best Actress/Drama), Luis Carlos de la Lombana (Best Supporting Actor), Hannia Guillén (Best Supporting Actress), Jorge Alí Triana (Best Visiting Director), Leni Mendez (Best Set Design), Robert Weber Federico (Best Light Design).

In addition, “Cita a ciegas” is nominated for Best Drama and writer Mario Diament is nominated for the Playwright Award.

For tickets, click here.

LA NENA SE CASA
FIVE ACE NOMINATIONS

Carlos Ferrari’s cruel comedy “La nena se casa” took New York by storm when it premiered this September. Performed to perpetually sold out shows and critical acclaim, the heartwarming “La nena se casa” has taken home its fair share of nominations.

Nelson Landrieu (Best Actor – Comedy), Wanda Arriaga (Best Actress – Comedy), Gredivel Vásquez (Outstanding Performance by a Supporting Actress), Jerry Soto (Best Newcomer Actor). It has also been nominated for Best Comedy.

For tickets, click here.

EL LOCO POR FUERZA
NINE ACE NOMINATIONS

Leyma Lopez’ stellar direction of “El loco por fuerza” has earned this play from Spain’s Golden Age nine ACE nominations. This 17th century masterpiece by Félix Lope de Vega was part of Repertorio’s Van Lier Fellowship, in which three young Latino directors are chosen to direct two plays over the course of two summers.

In the case of the talented Leyma Lopez, talented direction, performance and set design all came together to make this play among the top nominated shows for the ACE awards. Nominees include Erick Gonzalez (Best Actor – Classics), Zulema Clares (Best Actress – Classics), Javier Fano (Outstanding Performance by a Visiting Actor), Annia Bu (Outstanding Performance by a Visiting Actress), Fermín Suarez (Outstanding Performance), Alfonso Rey (Best Light Design), Yanet Montero (Best Sound Design) and Leyma Lopez (Best Direction of a Classic Play).

“El loco por fuerza” was also nominated for Best Classic Production.

REINAR DESPUES DE MORIR
SIX ACE NOMINATIONS

Another production to come out of the Van Lier Directing Fellowship, “Reinar después de morir” is yet another example of how successful a play from Spain’s Golden Age can be when combined with the talent of a young, emerging director. Ines Garcia’s direction of Luis Velez de Guevara’s Renaissance masterpiece was nominated for six nominations. Carmen Cabrera and Natalia Miranda were both nominated for Best Actress in a Classic Play. Ines Garcia herself has been nominated three times for this production alone – Best Direction of a Classic, Best Wardrobe and Best Sound Design. “Reinar despues de morir” is also a candidate for Best Classic Production, alongside “El loco por fuerza.”

BÉSAME MUCHO
THREE ACE NOMINATIONS

Everyone’s favorite music review, “Bésame mucho,” was nominated in three different categories. The show, which features some of Latin America’s most popular songs written by women and sung by four fabulous and internationally acclaimed female singers, has led to nominations for Brenda Feliciano (Outstanding Musical Performance), José Zayas (Best Direction of Musical Theater) and an overall nomination for the entire production for Best Production of Musical Theater.

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FUENTEOVEJUNA
TWO ACE NOMINATIONS

Directed by Julián J. Mesri, “Fuenteovejuna” is the third classic from Spain’s Golden Age to bring Repertorio two ACE nominations. This play be Félix Lope de Vega is up for Best Classic Production as well as Best Director of a Classic for Mr. Mesri.

LA FUERZA DE LA COSTUMBRE
ONE ACE NOMINATION

Freddy Mancilla and his talented direction of “La fuerza de la costumbre” hail from Repertorio’s Van Lier Directing Fellowship. The young director, a graduate of Marymount Manhattan College, is nominated for Best Emerging Director, a major feat for both Mr. Mancilla and the Van Lier program.