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| Israel García on his last ride as an MTA Train Operator. Photo by Ed García Conde. |
Kicking off our tribute to New York’s labor force, retired MTA Subway operator Israel García and his son Ed García Conde will host the Friday, October 3rd performance of EL APAGON.
Just like the main storyteller in the play, Mr. García’s life is a celebration of hard work and perseverance.
He recently retired after 33 years of service to the MTA. To commemorate the occasion, his son wrote a moving essay and photo montage of his father’s last day on the job, published in his popular blog Welcome2theBronx.
By 1965, at the age of 13, my father had reached the shores of New York City and landed in The Bronx along with his eldest sister and my grandmother and the rest of the Puerto Ricans who were still arriving for the last several decades.
Almost immediately dad began working. He worked at a local bodega on 152nd and Tinton Avenue at the age of 14 making a whopping $3 bucks a day or shined shoes at the corner of Prospect Avenue and 149th Street. By the time he was attending Morris High School, he was working at a local pizza joint making 25 bucks a week for 3 days work.
By the time he met my mom, got married and I was born he was working various jobs at factories throughout the city…[until] he began working for New York City MTA in May 1981.
Ed García Conde, Welcome2theBronx.
EL APAGON| THE BLACKOUT SYNOPSIS: While riding the NYC subway uptown towards El Barrio, eager to witness the birth of his firstborn, a factory worker and his best friend are caught by the Great Northeastern Blackout of 1965. The play captures the innocence, good humor, and courage of its two protagonists, setting their adventure to the rhythms of classic Latin love songs of the 1950s and 60s.
Limited Engagement: Only 12 performances! October 1-12, 2014
Nights – Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays @ 8:00 PM
Matinees – Wednesdays at 1:30PM, Saturdays and Sundays @ 3:00 PM
Performed in English & Spanish with titles. Live music!
Performances will take place at
Puerto Rican Traveling Theater
304 West, 47th Street,
(47th Street, between 8th & 9th Avenues)
Manhattan, NYC, 10036
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