The Jeffrey and Paula Gural DANCEseries2026
presents
Design and direction by Ángel Gil Orrios Musical direction and arrangement by Emiliano Messiez
An astonishing compilation of classic and new tangos in music, song and dance performed by world-class artists.
April 11-19, 2026
At Teatro Círculo
64 East 4th Street, NYC
OUR STAFF
José Cheo Oliveras,
Founding Artistic Director
Virginia Louloudes,
Development Director
Edna Lee Figueroa,
Marketing Director / Social Media Manager
James Figueroa,
Financial Manager
Eva Vásquez,
Co-Founder & Educational Program Director
Verónica Caicedo,
Facilities Manager
Caridad del Valle,
‘Abuelito, dime tú’ Program Coordinator /
Resident Stage Manager
Camila Ceschin,
Box Office Manager
Cinzia Meneghello,
Web Designer / Web Master
Mariano de Paco Serrano,
Associate Artistic Director
Dean M. Zayas,
Associate Artistic Director, Emeritus
Pablo Zinger,
Musical Director
Israel Franco-Müller,
Resident Production Designer
Manuel Gómez Crespo,
Technical Production Director
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Eric Rivera, Chair
Special Assistant to the Commissioner/Chief Diversity Officer, NYC Department of Aging
Barbara Matos, Treasurer
Founder & CEO – Socorro Strategies
Paul Marín, Secretary
Founder and CEO, PM Public Relations
José Cheo Oliveras
Founding Artistic Director, Teatro Círculo
Eva Vásquez
York College
Diana Chery-Ramírez
Playwright, Director, Actress, Professor
Rocky Lizardi
Sony Music Entertainment
Fernando Travesí
Executive Director, International Center for Transitional Justice
Rubie M. Alicea
Immigration Attorney – Pollack, Pollack, Isaac & DeCicco, LLP
Laura Aguinaga
Actress, Producer, Writer
MANY THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS...
National Endowment for the Arts
New York State Governor Kathy Hochul
New York State Council on the Arts, with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature
New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council
Mayor’s Office of Media & Entertainment
New York City Council Members Harvey Epstein – District 2, Diana Ayala – District 8, Amanda Farías – District 18, Francisco Moya
– District 21, Tiffany Caban – District 22, Sandy Nurse – District 37, Kayla Santosuosso – District 47
U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand
Daniel S. Goldman, U.S. House of Representatives
Small Business Administration
The Tow Foundation
Howard Gilman Foundation
New York Community Trust
The National Latinx Theater Initiative
The Shubert Foundation
The Emma A. Sheafer Charitable Trust
Miranda Family Fund
The Hispanic Federation
Jeffrey & Paula Gural
The Mid-Atlantic Arts, through USArtists International
Lily Auchincloss Foundation
The Kaplen Brothers Fund
The Cory & Bob Donnalley Charitable Foundation
The Michael Tuch Foundation
The Frederic Coudert Foundation
The Lucille Lortel Foundation
Blanche & Irving Laurie Foundation
Con Edison
Bank of America
NYC Women’s Fund for Media, Music and Theater
Mosaic Fund
The Tow Charitable Foundation
The Mosaic Network and Fund
For more information on how to make a tax-deductible donation visit:
TANGO 100% is made possible in part, through funds from
The New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Kathy Houchul and the New York State Legislature, New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, City Council Member Harvey Epstein, Howard Gilman Foundation, National Latinx Theater Initiative, Shubert Foundation, Cory & Bob Donnalley Charitable Foundation, Lily Auchincloss Foundation, Coudert Foundation, Lucille Lortel Foundation, the Miranda Family Fund, The Mosaic Network and Fund, and the Hispanic Federation.
Lily Auchincloss Foundation
For more information about touring productions contact us at
(845) 662-7742 or at joliveras@teatrocirculo.org
Our rehearsal space and theaters are available for rent at very affordable rates.
Contact us at (347) 967-4765 / vcaicedo@teatrocirculo.org or visit:
The Jeffrey and Paula Gural DANCEseries2026
presents
Design and direction by Ángel Gil Orrios
Musical direction and arrangement by Emiliano Messiez
Dancers:
Analía Carreño & Luis Ramírez
(will perform on April 11-19)
Guillermina Quiroga & Mariano Logiudice
(will perform on April 11-12)
Mariana Parma & Leonardo Sardella
(will perform on April 17-19)
Singers:
Sofía Tosello, Ache Rey
Musicians:
Emiliano Messiez
(piano)
Sergio Reyes
(violin)
Pedro Giraudo (double bass)
David Hodges (bandoneon)
April 11-19, 2026
At Teatro Círculo
An astonishing compilation of classic and new tangos in music, song and dance performed by world-class artists.
Running time:
Approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes.
No intermission.
DIRECTOR & DESIGNER
ÁNGEL GIL ORRIOS
Award-winning director, writer, lighting and set designer and producer born in Spain. He is the Artistic/Executive Director of the Thalia Spanish Theatre of New York. Among his many successes at Thalia Spanish Theatre are producing and directing 17 world premiere musicals with Maestro Raúl Jaurena, considered by Astor Piazzolla one of the best bandoneon players in the world. He has written, produced, and directed more than 15 audiovisual Tango music and dance productions; having won a Latin Grammy for Best Tango Album and various ACE and HOLA Awards for his tango shows.
DANCERS
ANALÍA CARREÑO
From Buenos Aires Argentina, she’s a dancer, choreographer and producer of Argentine tango shows. Before dancing Argentine tango, she was a dancer of classical, jazz, dance, flamenco and Latin rhythms where she worked with artists like Ricky Martin, Jon Decade on TV shows in Buenos Aires. With her partner Luis she built this career that has taken her to travel the world with Argentine tango, traveling and living in Japan, South Korea and China taking Argentine tango to Germany, Spain, Russia, Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Mexico Brazil, Chile, Argentina and Canada and the United States. “The Tango Way” is an Argentine Tango culture learning and teaching method where they have students of all ages and levels, from 10 to 80 years old.
LUIS RAMÍREZ
From Buenos Aires Argentina, he’s a dancer, choreographer, illusionist and producer of Argentine tango shows. Before dancing Argentine tango he was a dancer of classical, jazz, dance, flamenco and Latin rhythms where she worked with artists like Ricky Martin, Jon Decade on TV shows in Buenos Aires. With his partner Analía, he built this career that has taken him to travel the world with Argentine tango, traveling and living in Japan, South Korea and China taking Argentine tango to Germany, Spain, Russia, Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Mexico Brazil, Chile, Argentina and Canada and the United States. “The Tango Way” is an Argentine Tango culture learning and teaching method where they have students of all ages and levels, from 10 to 80 years old.
GUILLERMINA QUIROGA
A celebrated tango dancer, choreographer and master teacher renowned for her appearances in tango shows on Broadway and at international festivals, has been called the “Queen of Tango.” Guillermina is from La Plata, a seaside town outside Buenos Aires where she studied ballet and performed at the prestigious Teatro Argentino de La Plata, an important classical arts school and performing arts center in Argentina. In 1988 she entered the world of the milongas in Buenos Aires, becoming the partner of choice of the seasoned milongueros, and in 1989 won the Buenos Aires City Tango Championships.
Since taking her first tango lesson in 1988, she has dedicated herself to mastering the art of tango. Her extensive credits include the mythical Tango Argentino and Forever Tango on Broadway; several films including Assassination Tango (2002) and Valentina’s Tango (2007); world tours with singer Julio Iglesias; performances with the Luis Bacalov, Mariano Mores, Pablo Ziegler and Color Tango orchestras; her own tango show, Tango, Historias Breves; and choreography for “Libertango” for the 1998 Olympic ice dancing gold medalists Oksana Grishuk and Evgeni Platov. She has influenced the role of women in tango and trained many of the world’s favorite tango dancers.
Ms Quiroga is considered by The New York Times ‘the Fonteyn of tango’. The NY based newspaper says that ‘the spell of her style begins in her stance. She has a marvelously composed persona and memorably elegant posture’. The LA Times says that Guillermina ‘is famous for fusing traditional tango steps with hyper-flexible leg extensions and athletic lifts. An engaging stage presence and a formidable talent.
MARIANO LOGIUDICE
Taught and performed with Guillermina at numerous tango festivals around the world. Before he became immersed in tango, he was a martial arts world champion and a sports teacher. He studied tango with such prominent teachers as Raul Bravo, Juan Pablo Barbutti, Guillermina Quiroga, Andres Cejas, Olga Besio, Demian Garcia, and Julio Balmaceda. He graduated from university in Argentina as a psychologist with the thesis “Tango y vejez” (Tango and the Elderly) which explored the benefits of tango dancing on older people. This led him to create a new activity that mixes tango dance with physical education. With Guillermina, he started a new discipline: the union of tango dance and psychology as therapy for people with physical and emotional needs. In 2019, he appeared in the rock opera Evita at New York City Center with Guillermina.
On the meantime he discovered Tango and started to study very intensively this new passion. He learned from very prominent teachers in the Tango world such as Raul Bravo, Juan Pablo Barbutti, Guillermina Quiroga, Andres Cejas, Olga Besio, Demian Garcia, Julio Balmaceda, among others.
He has worked as a tango teacher in Tanzba, Buenos Aires, Escuela de Tango de Buenos Aires, Club Gricel and Salon Canning. For many years Mariano has been teaching and performing in Europe, Asia, and many cities in United States with Guillermina Quiroga.
He graduated from the University in Argentina as a Psychologist, with the Thesis “Tango y vejez” (Tango and elderly) which explores the psychological benefits of the tango dancing on the elder people. He received a lot of compliments and special mentions from the university judges about his work and was pleased to keep going further on that path.
This inspires Mariano to investigate more and leads him into creating a new activity that is a mixing of tango dance and physical education; together with Guillermina they start a new discipline, the union of tango dance and psychology, as therapy for people with physical and emotional needs.
MARIANA PARMA
Is a multi-hyphenated Bilingual English/ Spanish speaking artist, based in New York City. Raised in New Jersey by her Uruguayan parents, she’s a Jersey Girl at heart with strong ties to her South American roots and she does speak Spanish.
As a dancer/ choreographer/ instructor, her experience in the realm of Argentine Tango and Salsa is vast. She spins in her stilettos seamlessly between TV/ Film, Broadway, and Commercials nationally and internationally. Some of her” Wow” moments Include, coaching Chita Rivera, Tommy Tune, and internationally acclaimed Bollywood star Hrithik Roshan in Argentine Tango.
She began dancing and choreographing at a very early age. Storytelling through dance is her first love. As an actor, her passion is to take on dramatic, story- driven layered performances, portraying strong, fierce, smoldering, tormented, and unconventional characters. Career highlights, The Blacklist, New Amsterdam, FBI, Law & Order: SVU, WestWorld, The Missing, and award-winning Indie Films.
LEONARDO SARDELLA
Started dancing tango professionally in his hometown of Buenos Aires. He has trained with renowned tango instructors. Leonardo has performed on the best stages in Argentina with several dance companies. Colón Theater and Cervantes theater among others. He moved to New York City in 2011 when he co-founded Male Tango dance company.
And later Friends of Argentine Tango, a nonprofit organization that brings shows and classes to seniors and school’s kids, working with City Center and performing for the schools at the City Center stage. Leonardo has participated in the International Tango festivals worldwide and has performed in major cities in the United States and in England, France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Bolivia and Argentina.
He ranks very high on the list of the most important Argentine tango dancers in the world that are capable of exchanging smoothly and creatively roles of leader and follower. Leonardo was the choreographer of: Male Tango, (IATI theatre) which was recognized with two HOLA (Hispanic Organization of Latin Actors) awards (Outstanding performance in musical theater: Leonardo Sardella – and Outstanding Musical production, and Two Latin ACE Awards (Asociación de Cronistas de Espectáculos de NY) nominations (Best Director – best choreographer)
He was also part of Lincoln Center’s Midsummer Night Swing – teaching and performing with renowned Argentine electronic tango band Tanghetto and the típica Messies. Alistair Macauley of the New York Times said regarding his dance: “Elegance, musicality, romance, wit and serious glamor.”
SINGERS
SOFÍA TOSELLO
Originally from Córdoba, Argentina, Vocalist and Music Educator Sofia Tosello is a cherished voice in the vibrant scene of New York City artists who are redefining Latin American songs. Christopher Loundon, writing in Jazz Times, notes, “The next wave in Latin American jazz may well begin with Tosello”.
Sofia has performed and recorded with artists such as Grammy winner Mexican Pop singer Thalia, Horacio “El negro Hernández”, Grammy-winner Pedro Giraudo Jazz Orchestra, Guy Mendilow Ensemble, Aquiles Baez, Mariela Franganillo Dance Company, Polly Ferman and Glamour Tango, among others. Ms Tosello has performed on renowned stages in the USA, Asia, and Latin America.
In the fall of 2011 and 2012, she was part of the music faculty at Swarnabhoomi Academy of Music in Chennai, India along with musicians such as Victor Wooten, and Dafnis Prieto.
She is one of the Jazz Vocal Professors at New Jersey City University. Ms.Tosello is also teaching jazz to young people through the Webop Music Program at Jazz at Lincoln Center.
ACHE REY
Originally from the town of Avellaneda. He began singing duets with his father at just 9 years old, and by 15 he was a prominent figure at the renowned Esquina Homero Manzi. He was the voice of Esquina Carlos Gardel and shared the stage with Julio Pane on several occasions.
He was a member of the Quinteto Real and the lead singer of the Avellaneda Tango Orchestra, directed by Diego Lerendegui (a violinist and composer who was also a member of Osvaldo Pugliese’s orchestra).
In 2020, he participated in the “Palacio Tango presents Esquina Carlos Gardel World Tango Tour” with the Orquesta Típica Di Salvo, conducted by Virginia Di Salvo. He also headlined an extensive tour that included performances at the Monte Carlo Opera House (Monaco) and at Vulcan Hall Tenerife in the Canary Islands.
In 2021, he traveled to the United States with the company “Souls of Tango,” performing in off-Broadway theaters, milongas, and festivals. Since then, he has lived in the USA, headlining major concerts in cities such as New York, New Jersey, Chicago, and Denver, among others. Today, at only 29 years old, he triumphs on the main stages of North America.
MUSICIANS
EMILIANO MESSIEZ
(MUSICAL DIRECTOR, arranger, piano)
He is a Latin Grammy–nominated pianist and composer from Buenos Aires, Argentina, now based in New York City. Renowned for his distinctive sound and versatility, he seamlessly blends tango, jazz, classical, rock, and Latin American rhythms. Emiliano is the founder and director of Típica Messiez, a 10-piece tango orchestra, and the pianist of the Romo-Agri-Messiez Trio. In addition to composing several musicals, he has written original music for his own projects, recording multiple albums that showcase his unique artistic vision. His performances have captivated audiences worldwide, with highlights including appearances at Lincoln Center, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Houston Grand Opera, and the Carnegie Hall Citywide series.
SERGIO REYES
(violin)
Is a violinist, composer, arranger, and educator, residing in New York City for over two decades.
Passionate about the arts, literature, and Guatemalan History, he draws inspiration on events and challenges from Guatemalan and Latin American contemporary societies for his original orchestral and chamber music compositions.
After years of academic music training, he has become a versatile performer who treasures the many musical traditions from throughout Latin America, considering them key factors to raise awareness of culture, education, environment, and identity within new generations.
During his extensive career path in New York City, since 1993, he has performed in Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, MoMA, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Blue Note Jazz Club, amongst others. He has shared the stage with internationally renowned artists such as Frederica von Stade (soprano), Clive Lythgoe (pianist), Danny Rivera (songwriter, activist) and Argentine musicians who worked with tango master Astor Piazzolla, such as Pablo Ziegler (piano), Héctor Del Curto (bandoneon), Raúl Jaurena (bandoneon), and Daniel Binelli (bandoneon), amongst others.
Mr. Reyes studied violin and composition at Interlochen Arts Academy, Manhattan School of Music, and Brooklyn College. In Europe, he attended the Mozart European Academy (Poland) and the Ecoles d’Arts Américaines (Fontainebleau, France).
In 1998 and 2018 he was awarded 1st Prize in the Certamen Permanente Centroamericano ’15 de septiembre’ with compositions La Chamusca and A las poetas de este tiempo, respectively.
PEDRO GIRAUDO
(double bass)
Latin GRAMMY Award winning bassist and composer Pedro Giraudo is among the most compelling tango artists today. After two decades performing with the most important interpreters of tango, Pedro Giraudo debuted his own Tango Orchestra at Lincoln Center’s Midsummer Night Swing in July 2015 and since then has become an active cultural ambassador of this beautiful and passionate music of his native Argentina.
In 2018 his album ‘Vigor Tanguero‘ won a Latin GRAMMY award for ‘Best Tango Album’. In 2014 Ruben Blades’ CD “Tangos” on which he recorded bass won two Grammys Awards (Best Tango Album & Best Latin Pop). Pedro Giraudo has collaborated with Pablo Ziegler, Paquito D’Rivera, and Dizzy Gillespie’s protégé William Cepeda, as well as ‘Tango meets Jazz’ guests: Branford Marsalis, Kenny Garrett, Regina Carter, Nestor Torres, Miguel Zenon among many others. Pedro Giraudo has also collaborated as a performer and arranger for one of New York’s most respected institutions: The New York Philharmonic and has played the bass for the magnificent New York City Ballet Orchestra. He has also been the musical director of Tango for All’s ‘Blind’, Mariela Franganillo Company’s “Tango Connection” and “Tango Recuerdo” and performed with U.S.’s most prominent tango ensembles including ‘Forever Tango’, Hector Del Curto’s ‘Eternal Tango’ and Daniel Binelli’s ‘Tango Metropolis’.
He has participated in numerous jazz and music festivals throughout the North America, Europe, Latin America, the Caribbean and Asia, and performed in venues such as The Blue Note (Japan & USA), Birdland (Austria), London’s Queen Elizabeth Hall, Jazz Festival Royale in Thailand, Kennedy Center (Washington DC), Iridium, Jazz Standard, Blue Note, Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall (NYC).
DAVID HODGES
(bandoneon)
He has played bandoneon on the New York City tango scene since relocating there in 2001. A performer, arranger, and composer, he has played with groups including Los chantas, Héctor Del Curto’s Eternal Tango Orchestra, the Astoria Tango Orchestra (dir. Daniel Binelli), Sexteto Abaddón, Orq. Típica Messiez, Dock Sud, Tangata, Los Changos Septet, Los acústicos, and others. Notable venues include Lincoln Center’s “Midsummer Night’s Swing,” NYU’s Skirball Theater, Weill Recital Hall in Carnegie Hall, Jazz at Lincoln Center, Merkin Concert Hall, Joe’s Pub, The Jazz Standard, BB King’s, and The Jazz Gallery.
Theatrical credits include performing in Lincoln Center Theater’s “Gardens of Anuncia” and in Wings Theatre’s “Tango masculino.” He has appeared as a guest soloist with the Manhattan School of Music Jazz Philharmonic, the Vermont Symphony Orchestra, the Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra, and the “Guitars Under the Stars” Festival Orchestra of Hartford, CT.
He can be heard on many recordings including the soundtrack to the film American Carny and the tango-electronica track “TaTuado.” He recorded live in Seoul, Korea with Cantonese singer Hacken Lee on the CD/DVD Concert Hall II and performed concerts with the Hong Kong Sinfonietta and Taiwanese vocalist Jeff Chang at the Hong Kong Coliseum, where he debuted his original composition, “Hong Kong Porteño.”
Graphic Design: Edna Lee Figueroa
BENEFIT PERFORMANCE
In Honor of Margarita López
April 17, 2026 at 7pm
Supporting Teatro Círculo’s series and programs we honored former Councilwoman Margarita López for the pivotal role she played in helping us realize the dream of owning our building.
You all are key to the development and success of Teatro Círculo’s series and programs: Mainstage Series, CALLBACKseries, DANCEseries, Master Class Series, Abuelito, dime tú Program, Affordable Rental Program, First Call Reading Series, Touring Productions, Mi casa es tu casa Program.
We proudly unveiled a commemorative plaque dedicating our rehearsal space as the Margarita López Rehearsal Room and Studio Theater — a space that has nurtured the creative process of thousands of New York City theater artists and continues to serve as a home for artistic creation, collaboration, and performance.
After the performance: a festive reception, as we toasted Margarita’s advocacy and achievements, and enjoyed hors d’oeuvres, drinks and a tango lesson taught by our award-winning artists.
Thank you and get ready to TANGO 100%!
MI CASA ES TU CASA
Teatro Círculo’s staff created an initiative called Mi casa es tu casa, and thanks to our wonderful supporters at the Howard Gilman Foundation, the Mosaic Network and Fund, and City Council Member Harvey Epstein we are now able to offer $10 tickets for Saturday night performances.
We continue our Mi casa es tu casa with TANGO 100%
“Tango is a very popular dance world-wide, not just for the Latin and Hispanic population. TANGO 100% features full blast tango, where the audience will fully enjoy the different styles of this art form, from nostalgic and romantic to the elegant, joyful, and festive.” – Ángel Gil Orrios
Thanks to Mi casa es tu casa, we have these special events:
$10 Tickets on Saturdays, April 11th and 18th at 7 PM, using code ACCESS.
Mini dancing classes with the artists following Sunday performances.