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The Chicago cast of The Brown Girl's Chronicles were welcomed by host Harv Roman to their first-ever live in-studio broadcast interview on Sunday, February 22nd, 2009 on the Club Kids Radio program aired originally on Chicago's WCEV 1450 AM. Writer/Director Yolanda Nieves and Vida Bella Ensemble cast members Esmerelda, Yvonne, Santiago, Natalie and three-time Union League Boys and Girls Club speech contest winner Laura were in studio to discuss the sold out (with more Chicago and New York shows planned) premiere of the stage production in March, 2009 of The Brown Girl's Chronicles: Puerto Rican Women and Resilience. The Brown Girl's Chronicles are the stories of second generation Chicago Puerto Rican women in their day-to-day lives are the embodiment of struggle for independance of mind, soul, heart and body.

The cast members performed live excerpts, discussed the origins of the ensemble and the production, and gave heartfelt, emotional stories of how the production and cast has impacted their professional and personal lives.

My admiration, respect and gratitude go out to the cast members of The Brown Girl's Chronicles (including the once upon a time sixth grade speech contest winner from Sabin Elementary School) with an additional Thanks to Mike Oquendo and Yvonne Nieves for helping to pull off this unique commitment to community and culture - both on stage and on the air.

As always your comments are encouraged!

Harv Roman
WCEV 1450 AM
wakeupdancing.com