Philadelphia Theatre Company launches its milestone 50th anniversary season with ‘La Egoísta‘ (‘The Selfish’), a touching and humorous play that perfectly embodies the season’s theme, “We’re a Philly Thing! A season of plays of, by, and for the people of Philadelphia.”
Written by Dominican-American playwright and Philadelphia native Erlina Ortiz, ‘La Egoísta’ reflects the vibrancy and resilience of the city’s diverse communities.
Directed by Tatyana-Marie Carlo, ‘La Egoísta’ tells the story of two sisters, bonded by duty and love, whose relationship is tested by the challenges of career ambitions, caregiving, and what it means to sacrifice for the ones you love.
Josefina (Sasha Merci), La Egoísta’s protagonist, is a wildly funny, independent, and compassionate big sister and Philadelphia-based stand-up comedian who takes nothing seriously except the well-being of her little sister Betsaida (María Gabriela González). When Betsaida becomes ill just as Josefina’s career begins to take off, she experiences an inevitable clash between her responsibility toward her sister and the pursuit of her dream.
“We are thrilled to kick off PTC’s 50th anniversary season with a Philadelphia premiere by one of the city’s rising stars, Erlina Ortiz,” says Tyler Dobrowsky, co-artistic director of PTC, in a statement. “This heartfelt and hilarious comedy strikes the perfect balance between humor and family drama, and we couldn’t be prouder to collaborate with the Tony Award-winning Edgewood Entertainment to bring this remarkable work to the stage. Adding to our excitement is the fact that Tatyana-Marie Carlo, whose directorial work we’ve long admired, is making her Philly debut with us on this piece.”
Playwright Erlina Ortiz and director Tatyana-Marie Carlo share an artistic connection, united by their commitment to telling powerful, culturally resonant stories that center on themes of identity, family, and the Latine experience. This production’s Philadelphia premiere marks an essential moment in PTC’s history, spotlighting the rich, multifaceted narratives that define the city. And with an all-Hispanic/Latino-identifying cast and creative team, the production will coincide with Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations.
Philadelphia Theatre Company is located at 480 South Broad Street. Previews for ‘La Egoísta’ begin on Oct. 4. Opening Night is Wednesday, Oct. 9, and the play runs through Oct. 20.
PTC will host a Community Night on Friday, Oct. 11, and Black Theatre Night on Friday, Oct. 18. A post-show talkback takes place on Sunday, Oct. 13, an audio-described performance on Saturday, Oct. 12, and an open caption accompanied performance on Saturday, Oct. 19. PTC also offers an ASL-interpreted performance on Thursday, Oct. 17.
A complete schedule of performances can be found at philadelphiatheatrecompany.org.
