MISUNDERSTANDINGS, a collaboration between up and coming theater artists from Mexico City and abroad. It is a theater piece that deals with the drama and comedy of life as reflected in daily situations which stem from cultural, social, and sexual differences. This is a union of original text, electronic music and video. The script by playwright Humberto Leyva, is directed by Jose Antonio Cordero and Heiko Kalmbach, with music by Tareke Ortiz. Featured in the cast are Antonio Cerezo, Amy Hoerler, Nadine Huber and Lars Preece. Visuals by Heiko Kalmbach.
MISUNDERSTANDINGS is based on the idea that almost every interaction of today’s global world, from the personal to the political stage, is formed by the merely banal, and thus sometimes creates evil “misunderstandings.”

5 de Mayo, is it really a big Mexican holiday? ... well in the USA it is, yes.
And by the way, the American Dream... what's that? ... Mmh?
Imagine Mexico without corruption? ... Maybe in..., no I don't think so.
Oh, and by the way, are you? Yes, I mean, no, not everyone is gay.
So, I'm not sure if I want to be with you, ... but please, don't go away.
How many years have we played this game? 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004.
I guess it's all about security. Safety. Although, fear can be quite useful too.
Why don't you understand me? Am I talking in another language?

Playwright Humberto Leyva is one of Mexico’s most outstanding theatre makers. His work has been awarded consistently; he has received the title of “Nation’s Best Playwright” given by the Theatre Critics Assosiation in 1995 for “Naturaleza muerta y Marlon Brando;” in 1998 for “Stabat Mater” which was staged in Los Angeles in 2000 by SINERGIA theatre group, and in 2001 for “Animales insolitos.” His plays have been translated into English, German and French.
The piece features Antonio Cerezo, who was born in 1972 in Mexico City. From 1989-92 he studied in Mexico City and consequently has worked with many well-known companies. In 1999, he moved to New York where he was part of the international cast for Frank Wedekind’s Spring Awakening at La MaMa ETC. Since then he has worked with many resident directors at La MaMa, performing in New York and Italy. He performed in New York with the Black Moon Theatre Company as part of the Lincoln Center’s Meet the Artists Program. Recently he worked on John Jesurun’s “Chang and a Void Moon” in Berlin, Germany.
Museo Deseo Theatre Company was founded in 1994 by Jose Antonio Cordero and Lydia Margules. Since 1994 the company has created more than 10 plays and films. The company has performed in Mexico City, France and Canada. Museo Deseo’s principal field of investigation is the research of human body language in non-conventional spaces. Projects involve video and audio, both live and prerecorded. For their New York debut the Company embraces a new group of international theater artists to explore their understanding of MISUNDERSTANDINGS.
Director Jose Antonio Cordero is the founder of Museo Deseo. From 1990-95 he made films in Mexico City. In 1996, he was part of the Movement Research Laboratory at the Jacques Lecoq School in Paris. He has directed theatre, television and film, gaining international recognition. His films and videos have been screened at international film festivals like Sao Paulo Short Film Festival, New York Mix Film Festival, and Buenos Aires Film Festival (winning the prize of best documentary film and nominated by the Mexican Academy for best documentary film.)
Video Elements for the piece are created by Heiko Kalmbach. His award winning short films have been broadcast and screened at International Festivals like Oberhausen, São Paulo and South By Southwest in Austin Texas. Heiko Kalmbach is currently completing a feature documentary about German photographer Wolfgang Tillmans. He has created video for stage productions in Germany and New York.
Experimental music composer Tareke Ortiz, born in Mexico City (1974) is a pianist, multi percussionist, live theater musician, composer of modern contemporary music, actor and facilitator of new approaches to vocal work. His work has appeared in cultural venues, Universities and international Art Festivals, La MaMa ETC., The Kitchen and other venues in New York, and The Gate Theatre and Tate Gallery in London. The human voice, the new experimental music and the electronic possibilities of sound are some of his main artistic interests. Currently he explores the promotion of linguistic right and nonviolent communication among indigenous communities in Mexico and in U.S.A. with Latin American immigrants.