July 17–19, 2026
Experimental Station
6100 S Blackstone Ave
Chicago IL 60637
Presented by Tango 21 Dance Theater
Created, Choreographed & Directed by
Jorge Niedas and Liz Sung
Written by Liz Sung
Photography, video, and/or audio recording of this performance is strictly prohibited. Please turn off your phones and share this moment with us. There will be a 15-minute intermission.
CAST
David..................................... Robert Williams
Jorge.................................... Jorge Niedas
Hillary.................................... Shannon Connell
The Bandoneon Player.......... Rion Klawinski
The Flirty Poet....................... Ben Medina
The Barista............................ Angela Russo
The Scintillating Waitress....... Galina Obushinskaya
The Regulars.......................... Esenam Amezotchi, Ladonna Freidheim, Barron Gillon, Evelina Kristy, Lloyd Natof, Maria Prokhorovich, Angela Russo, Liz Sung, Leo Velazquez
ACT 1
Ensueños
Music: Carlos Di Sarli
Archival photos of Ritz Tango Café by Liz Sung
Prologue: Retratos de ayer*
World premiere, composed by Ben Medina.
Dancer: Jorge Niedas
Café Dominguez
Music: Ángel D’Agostino
Ensemble
Si supiera que la extraño
Music: Juan D’Arienzo
Dancers: Jorge Niedas & Liz Sung
El choclo
Music: Carlos Di Sarli
Ensemble
Kiss of Fire
Performers: Robert Williams, Liz Sung, Shannon Connell, Leo Velazquez
Milonga del recuerdo
Music: Juan D’Arienzo
Dancers: Robert Williams & Liz Sung
Gallo ciego
Music: Osvaldo Pugliese
Dancers: Robert Williams, Liz Sung, Lloyd Natof, Jorge Niedas
Tango Stories: Duo de amor
Music: Astor Piazzolla, sound design: Liz Sung
Featuring the voices of: Robert Williams, Rion Klawinski, Dawn Krajcik, Hillary Leben, Neil Penesis, Jorge Niedas, Lloyd Natof, Winita Lau, Liz Sung, Magdalena Krupa-Tutak
----------------INTERMISSION----------------
ACT 2
Criollita Santiagueña
Music: Néstor Garnica
Dancers: Jorge Niedas & Liz Sung
Calambre
Music: Orchestra Ensemble Lalo Schifrin
Dancers: Shannon Connell, Barron Gillon, Lloyd Natof, Galina Obushinskaya, Angela Russo, Leo Velazquez
Milongueando en el cuarenta
Music: Aníbal Troilo
Mozo guapo
Music: Ricardo Tanturi
Dancers: Jorge Niedas & Liz Sung
Este es tu tango
Music: Enrique Rodriguez
Dancers: Rion Klawinski & Maria Prokhorovich
Desde el alma
Music: Osvaldo Pugliese
Dancers: Ladonna Freidheim and the Ensemble
The Letters
Music: Deep Breath by Jason Inc
El último café
Music by Héctor Stamponi
Performed by Ben Medina & Rion Klawinski
La sachapera
Music: Guillermina Beccar Varella
Finale: Retratos de ayer*
World premiere, composed by Ben Medina
La cumparsita
Music: Jose Basso
Once upon a time, the Ritz Tango Café on Ashland Avenue was owned and operated by Jorge Niedas and Dinah D’Antoni from 2006–2010. It was the gathering place for many Chicagoans who were looking for an oasis and found it in tango. Memories of the café still thrive within us.
This show is based on real events and characters from Jorge's days of running the café. Since the premiere in 2014, El Tango Café has helped us grow. This show has taught us lessons about the strength of community. This show has embraced us through bad times and healed us through artistic expression.
Today, we are at a full circle moment. It has been 8 years since we last presented this show, and this 2026 remount of El Tango Café is a celebration. In 2018, company member Robby Williams sustained a spinal injury due to gun violence. This pivotal moment has reshaped our approach to choreography and equity. Since 2019, we have been continually developing, innovating and creating physically integrated Argentine tango techniques for seated and standing dancers. This work means transposing the essence of the social Argentine tango movement, lead, and follow for dancers with disabilities and non-disabled dancers.
Tango has been an incredible source of energy for us: emotionally and spiritually. There is no doubt that tango has transformed every performer you see on stage tonight, and we hope tango will transform you, too.
Abrazos,
Jorge Niedas & Liz Sung
Tango 21 Dance Theater
Jorge Niedas, Artistic Director
Liz Sung, Managing Director
Tango 21 Dance Theater Ensemble: Esenam Amezotchi, Ladonna Freidheim, Barron Gillon, Rion Klawinski, Evelina Kristy, Lloyd Natof, Jorge Niedas, Galina Obushinskaya, Maria Prokhorovich, Angela Russo, Liz Sung, Leo Velazquez, Robert Williams
Retratos de ayer
Recording artists: Guillermo Casal (piano), Janice Lee (violin), Jacob Nagler (bass). Recorded by Bradley Williams, June 2026.
Tango Chalk Mural by Arturo Diaz.
Lighting Design: Junella Gabriel
Projections Design: Stephan Mazurek & Hillary Leben
Projections Board Operator: Hana Javed
Scenic Design: Lloyd Natof
Costumes: Liz Sung & H.T.
Graphic Artist and Sculptor: Arturo Diaz
SPECIAL THANKS:
Winita Lau, Arturo Diaz, Alice Geglio, Paul Derek, Cheryl Becker, and the University of Chicago Tango Club.
With support from Pistocelli Services.
Access services made possible by ReinventAbility.
We are deeply grateful to our generous supporters & donors.
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Tango 21 Dance Theater is a registered 501(c)(3) and supported by the generous contributions from our donors and funders.
To learn more, please visit our website at www.tango21dancetheater.org
LET’S STAY IN TOUCH!
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© 2026 Tango 21 Dance Theater