Luis Bravo's Forever Tango
Friday, March 14, 2025 at 8pm
Global View Series Sponsor
Worah Family Foundation
Performance Sponsor
The City of Irvine
This performance is presented without an intermission.
Luis Bravo Productions, Inc
Presents
Orchestra Conductor
Horacio Romo
Dancers
Soledad Buss & César Peral
Marcela Durán & Junior Cervila
Noelia Guerrero & Martín Cardoso
Germán Filipeli & Rocío Leguizamón
Adrián Veredice & Alejandra Hobert
Martina Waldman & Alexander Moncada
Aluminé Deluchi & Ariel Almirón
Musicians
Bandoneons
Horacio Romo
Rodolfo Zanetti
Violin
Diana LeGrand
George Pekarsky
Cello
Luis Bravo
Bass
Héctor Pineda
Piano
Jorge Vernieri
Lighting Design
Luis Bravo
Costume Design
Argemira Affonso
Sound Design
Rolando Obregón
Assistant Director
Martín Cardoso
Captain Dancer
Noelia Guerrero
Production Supervisor
Carlos Díaz
Choreography
The Dancers
Created and Directed by
Luis Bravo
Preludio del Bandoneón y la Noche
Soledad Buss & César Peral
Overture
Orchestra
El Suburbio
Compañía
Soledad Buss & César Peral
Marcela Durán & Junior Cervila
Martín Cardoso & Noelia Guerrero
Germán Filipeli & Rocío Leguizamón
Adrián Veredice & Alejandra Hobert
Martina Waldman & Alexander Moncada
A Los Amigos
Orchestra
Derecho Viejo
Germán Filipeli & Rocío Leguizamón
Gallo Ciego
Adrián Veredice & Alejandra Hobert
Comme I’ll Faut
Aluminé Deluchi & Ariel Almirón
Zum
Martina Waldman & Alexander Moncada
A Mis Viejos
Marcela Durán & Junior Cervila
Responso
Orchestra
Tanguera
Soledad Buss & César Peral
Quejas de Bandoneón
Martín Cardoso & Noelia Guerrero
La Mariposa
Germán Filipeli & Rocío Leguizamón
Negracha
Martina Waldman & Alexander Moncada
La Cumparsita
Soledad Buss & César Peral
Adrián Veredice & Alejandra Hobert
Marcela Durán & Junior Cervila
Germán Filipeli & Rocío Leguizamón
Para Lucirse
Orchestra
Prepárense
Adrián Veredice & Alejandra Hobert
Jealousy
Orchestra
Soloist: Diana LeGrand
B.B
Marcela Durán & Junior Cervila
Romance del Bandoneón y la Noche
Soledad Buss & César Peral
Adiós Nonino
Orchestra
Lo Que Vendrá
The Company
Encore – La Cumparsita
The Company
SOLEDAD BUSS & CESAR PERAL
Soledad is a dancer and teacher who graduated from the Taller de Danza Contemporánea del Teatro San Martín in Buenos Aires. She was a member of the Ballet Contemporáneo of the same theater, directed by Mauricio Wainrot, and also performed with the companies “Casta Diva,” led by Mónica Fracchia, and “Pies Desnudos,” directed by Laura Roatta.
She received a scholarship from the National Arts Fund for Artistic Excellence, allowing her to study in the U.S. and Europe.
César comes from an Argentine folkloric background. He was a member of the Ballet Camin of Cosquín, the Ballet Folklórico Nacional, and Che Malambo, directed by Gilles Brinas. He also performed in the musical Man of La Mancha, directed by Gustavo Zajak, and the show Torrente Flamenco by Sibila.
In 2006, they joined the cast of Les Noces de l’Enfant Roi, performed at the Bassin de Neptune in the Château de Versailles, France. The production was directed by renowned Argentine director Alfredo Arias, with choreography by Ana María Stekelman. Since then, Soledad and César have performed together, blending tango and contemporary dance in their work.
In 2007, they traveled to the U.S. to collaborate with Lidia Segni (then Director of the Ballet of the Teatro Colón) for a three-month tour of Tango Buenos Aires. They also worked with María Stekelman’s company, “Tangokinesis” (2006–07), Juan Corvalan’s Tango Malambo (2008), and Diego Romay’s Tanguera (Greece Tour, 2010). Between 2008 and 2012, they were part of the cast of Madero Tango.
From 2009 to 2011, they toured internationally with Tango de Burdel, Salón y Calle by A.M. Stekelman, alongside Eleonora Cassano and Julio Bocca’s Ballet Argentino. The production premiered in Verona, Italy, and was later presented at the International Theater Festival of Bogotá (Colombia), the Kuopio Dance Festival (Finland), the Festivals of Granada and the Nerja Caves (Spain), the Carthage Festival (Tunisia), and in cities including Madrid, Barcelona, Málaga, Segovia, A Coruña, Istanbul, and Rome.
In March 2011, they performed with the company “Pies Desnudos” at festivals in Torrejón, Ardoz, Sagunto, Almería, and Granada (Spain) in Deliciosas Criaturas Perfumadas by Laura Roatta.
That same year, they toured Argentina with Hernán Piquín in Pasión Tango, directed by Laura Roatta. They also participated in Conjuro Tango by Luis Ramirez and Analia Carre, which had its world premiere in October at the International Festival of Tango in Shanghai, China.
In 2011, they performed in Arrabal, a production by Sergio Trujillo and Julio Zurita, conceptualized by Gustavo Santaolalla and featuring music by Bajofondo.
In 2012, they were invited by prima ballerina Cecilia Figaredo to join her company, Boulevard Tango, with choreography by Laura Roatta and Alejandro Cervera.
Since September 2012, they have been members of the cast of Forever Tango.
ALUMINÉ DELUCHI & ARIEL ALMIRÓN
Aluminé graduated as a Tango Performer from the National University of the Arts (UNA) and has been part of prestigious companies, including the UNA Tango Company (2015–2016) and the acclaimed Rojo Tango show at the Faena Hotel (2017).
Ariel studied at the Teatro San Martín's Contemporary Dance Workshop and earned his degree from UNA as a Folkloric Dance and Tango Performer. He has toured internationally with Luis Bravo's Forever Tango and performed in productions such as La Traviata at the Teatro Colón.
Since 2017, they have danced together as a professional couple, performing in renowned shows in Buenos Aires and worldwide, including Café de los Angelitos, Señor Tango, Tango Nuevo Cabaret, and Uma Noite em Buenos Aires. They were finalists in the World Tango Championship in both 2019 and 2021 in the Social Tango and Stage Tango categories.
Together, they have toured Australia, the Philippines, Mexico, the United States, Ecuador, Brazil, Norway, Iceland, the United Kingdom, and many other countries, appearing as guest dancers and instructors at international festivals and events.
Aluminé and Ariel continue to share their passion for tango on some of the world's most prestigious stages.
MARTIN CARDOSO & NOELIA GUERRERO
With over 15 years of experience, their background includes training in Ballet and Folk Dance.
Some of their major achievements include:
1st Place
- United States Official Argentine Tango Stage Champions – ATUSA 2023
1st Place in the Following NDCA Open Professional Showdance Competitions:
- Miami Vibe
- First Coast Classic
- Sunshine DanceSport Championship
- North Florida Dance Challenge
- Platinum DanceSport Championship
Additional Accomplishments:
- Finalists at USDC and Millennium
Since 2017, they have been the proud owners of Dance Flow Fort Myers. Balancing their time between teaching, managing their dance studio, and embracing parenthood with their young son, they continue to train, compete, and perform alongside the world’s top tango dancers and maestros.
Martin serves as Assistant Director to Mr. Bravo, while Noelia holds the position of Dance Captain for Forever Tango.
MARCELA DURAN & JUNIOR CERVILA
Marcela Durán is a global icon of the tango world, internationally acclaimed as a master teacher and a legendary performer. Her presence and distinctive style have inspired a new generation of Argentine tango dancers and instructors worldwide. She and her partner, Carlos Gavito, developed a uniquely dramatic close-embrace style, where both dancers leaned forward against each other, creating an intimate and intense connection.
Born in Rosario, Argentina, Marcela's first connection to tango came through her father, a bandoneón player in local tango orchestras. She later worked as a dance instructor for the Argentine government, specializing in modern dance and tango. Her journey into tango began in 1988 at Salón Canning, where she spent years learning from and dancing with the great milongueros, absorbing the true essence of the dance.
Driven by her dream of spreading tango worldwide, Marcela moved to San Francisco in 1994 to perform with Forever Tango. In 1995, she performed at the Strand Theatre in London, partnering with the legendary milonguero Roberto "Alemán" Tonet. Following her engagement in England, she danced for a decade with Carlos Gavito, performing two of the show’s most iconic pieces: S.V.P. and A Evaristo Carriego.
Marcela and Gavito also performed for Evening at Pops with the Boston Pops Orchestra, broadcast by PBS. She was part of the original Broadway cast of Forever Tango at the Walter Kerr Theatre in 1997, when the show was nominated for Tony and Drama Desk Awards for Best Choreography. She later performed at the Spoleto Festival in Italy and toured extensively across the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Asia. In 1999, she appeared at the prestigious Teatro Colón Opera House in Buenos Aires.
In 2000, Marcela won the World Dance Sport Championship (IDO) in the Argentine Tango category. She and Carlos Gavito spent ten years teaching and performing worldwide, demonstrating how tango could be adapted for the stage without losing its authentic essence.
Marcela was also part of the 2004 Broadway production of Forever Tango at the Shubert Theatre. Over her 18-year association with the show, she performed and taught in over 100 cities, including New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Toronto, London, Rome, Tokyo, Seoul, Shanghai, Mexico City, Athens, and Tel Aviv. In 2013, she returned to Broadway for a third time, performing once again at the Walter Kerr Theatre—where the show first premiered in 1997—as an iconic figure of Forever Tango.
Among the many accolades in her career, one review from the San Francisco Chronicle on December 24, 2010, immortalized her legacy:
“The patina of a great tango dancer can be found in the remarkable Marcela Durán. With her partner, they are the least sensational couple on stage, yet they're almost worth the price of admission.”
Junior Cervila is an internationally renowned tango choreographer and performer. He has graced Broadway stages, appearing in Tango Argentino at the Gershwin Theatre, as well as at Lincoln Center, Town Hall, and other prestigious venues.
As an actor, choreography assistant, and dancer in Carlos Saura’s Academy Award-nominated film Tango, he played a key role in bringing tango to the big screen. He also starred in the BBC documentary Travel With My Tutu, alongside Deborah Bull, the prima ballerina of London’s Royal Ballet.
In 2006, Junior performed as a guest dancer with Daniel Barenboim’s orchestra and also appeared in a special performance for the Rolling Stones. His tango career includes roles in Tanguera, staged in Amsterdam, London (Sadler’s Wells), Munich, and Paris (Théâtre du Châtelet).
Since 2007, he has served as a judge for the World Tango Championship finals in Argentina. He has also choreographed tango productions for Evita and Grand Hotel, directed by Josh Rhodes.
In 2025, he was both a choreographer and dancer for the new production of Evita at The Muny in St. Louis, further cementing his influence in the world of tango and theater.
GERMÁN FILIPELI & ROCÍO LEGUIZAMÓN
Rocío and Germán are world-renowned tango dancers and coaches from Argentina. With 25 years of experience in both tango salón and stage performance, they have developed a unique dance style that preserves the essence of Argentine tango while bringing their own artistic expression to the dance.
They serve as Directors of Choreography and Principal Dancers for the Korean production Fever Tango, which premiered in 2018 at the prestigious Teatro Coliseo in Buenos Aires and later at Seoul’s Olympic Hall and Aram Nuri Theater across five successful seasons. The production received outstanding reviews, praising both the directors and the cast.
Rocío and Germán have performed at the most renowned tango show venues in Buenos Aires. They have also worked as choreography assistants and lead dancers for Argentina’s top tango companies, touring internationally with them. Beyond performing, they have traveled the world, starring in premier tango productions and conducting workshops at international festivals and tango schools.
They have served as judges for the Metropolitan Tango Championship in Italy, as well as for numerous tango competitions in the United States and Argentina.
In the past year, Rocío and Germán starred in We Call It Tango, a production by Fever Productions that toured the United States. They also founded their own dance company, TodoTango, based in Miami. Their debut show, blending tango with Argentine folklore, was a major box-office success.
In addition to organizing tango events and productions, Rocío and Germán continue to teach group and private lessons in both tango salón and stage tango, inspiring dancers worldwide with their energy, expertise, and passion for the art.
MARTINA WALDMAN & ALEXANDER MONCADA
As instructors, dancers, and choreographers of Argentine tango, they have dedicated over 15 years to touring and teaching this beloved art form.
They have performed on some of the world's most prestigious stages and are widely recognized for their versatility in dance and exceptional teaching methodology. Their expertise has made them one of the most sought-after tango couples, known for both their artistry and pedagogy.
They are part of the artistic and teaching staff at the most renowned tango festivals worldwide and collaborate with leading dance companies. Their expertise has also earned them invitations to serve as judges at numerous international tango competitions.
In May 2022, they were honored with the prestigious Colibrí Award at the European Dance Award Competition in Baden-Baden, Germany.
ADRIÁN VEREDICE & ALEJANDRA HOBERT
Adrián and Alejandra are iconic figures in the world of Argentine tango—renowned dancers, choreographers, and judges at prestigious tango championships.
Since 1998, they have captivated audiences worldwide with their mesmerizing performances, touring extensively across numerous cities. With a distinguished career spanning over 200 international festivals, they have become one of the most recognized tango couples of their time. Their dynamic stage presence and expressive artistry have been met with enthusiastic acclaim in theaters and venues across the globe.
From 2003 to 2010, they served as dance captains, choreographers, and the principal couple for Otango & Cincotango, performing in Belgium, France, Italy, Portugal, Cyprus, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, and Slovenia.
Since 2002, they have been lead instructors and principal dancers at C.I.T.A. (International Congress of Argentine Tango) and the World Dance Championship organized by the World Dance Council. They are also instructors and performers at the Buenos Aires South American Open.
Since 2012, Adrián and Alejandra have been esteemed teachers and jury members for the TANGO BA World Championship in Argentina, as well as for competitions in the United States and Canada.
Beyond the stage, they play a vital role in fostering the growth of the tango community in Miami and throughout Florida as teachers, instructors, dancers, organizers, and producers.
As of January 2024, they are currently performing with Forever Tango, continuing to share their passion for tango with audiences worldwide.
HORACIO ROMO
Adrián and Alejandra are iconic figures in the world of Argentine tango—renowned dancers, choreographers, and judges at prestigious tango championships.
Since 1998, they have captivated audiences worldwide with their mesmerizing performances, touring extensively across numerous cities. With a distinguished career spanning over 200 international festivals, they have become one of the most recognized tango couples of their time. Their dynamic stage presence and expressive artistry have been met with enthusiastic acclaim in theaters and venues across the globe.
From 2003 to 2010, they served as dance captains, choreographers, and the principal couple for Otango & Cincotango, performing in Belgium, France, Italy, Portugal, Cyprus, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, and Slovenia.
Since 2002, they have been lead instructors and principal dancers at C.I.T.A. (International Congress of Argentine Tango) and the World Dance Championship organized by the World Dance Council. They are also instructors and performers at the Buenos Aires South American Open.
Since 2012, Adrián and Alejandra have been esteemed teachers and jury members for the TANGO BA World Championship in Argentina, as well as for competitions in the United States and Canada.
Beyond the stage, they play a vital role in fostering the growth of the tango community in Miami and throughout Florida as teachers, instructors, dancers, organizers, and producers.
As of January 2024, they are currently performing with Forever Tango, continuing to share their passion for tango with audiences worldwide.
JORGE VERNIERI
A recipient of numerous awards for excellence in performance, he is not only a master pianist but also a gifted composer, arranger, and orchestra leader.
His musical journey began at the age of seven in Argentina, and by ten, he was admitted to the Manuel de Falla Conservatory in Buenos Aires. He graduated with a Master’s in Music at just eighteen. Turning professional at fifteen, he performed with renowned orchestras such as Eduardo Del Piano, Lezica–Laviè, Armando Pontier, and Miguel Caló, among others. He also recorded with the acclaimed Lucho Gatica.
Pursuing further studies, he completed postgraduate work in piano and composition at the Puerto Rico Conservatory under J. M. Sanromà. In 1996, he joined Forever Tango in Toronto. Before moving to the United States, he toured extensively throughout Latin America, performing as a concert pianist and collaborating with bands and orchestras in Buenos Aires, Mexico City, Bogotá, and San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Equally adept in both classical and popular music, he has performed in concert halls, on television and radio, as well as in resort hotels and nightclubs. He has given solo performances in Toronto and Montreal and spent several years in Los Angeles, where he played alongside legendary composers Lalo Schifrin and the late Henry Mancini.
In Georgia, he has performed at the University of Georgia in Athens, Emory University, and Brigham Young University in Salt Lake City. He was also a member of the Florida Chamber Orchestra and collaborated with The Youth Camerata Orchestra in Las Vegas, performing concerts featuring both classical music and tango.
During his five years in Las Vegas, he was the pianist for the Follies Bergère at the Tropicana, as well as for Lido de Paris at the Stardust and Dunes Hotels.
JEAN-LUC DON VITO (Make-up and Hair Designer) was born in Lyon, France, where he pursued studies in both science and the arts. His professional career took off when he won first-place honors in a prestigious makeup competition in Paris. He has been a part of Forever Tango since 1994.
Don Vito has collaborated with renowned directors Claudio Segovia and Héctor Orezzoli on acclaimed productions such as Tango Argentino, Flamenco Puro, Black and Blue, and Noche Tropical. He was also involved in the Paris productions of Cats and 42nd Street.
Most recently, he designed Faust Argentino and the revue Cabaret Coconuts for Alfredo Arias in Europe. His work extends to high fashion, having done makeup for models featured in Vogue, Elle, and Glamour, as well as working on numerous European films and music videos.
He extends his deepest gratitude to his mentor, Dany Sanz, the visionary creator of the Make-up Forever line.
ARGEMIRA AFFONSO (Costume Designer)—fondly known as "Miro"—was born and raised in Manaus, a city in northern Brazil along the Amazon River. Though her mother, a dressmaker, sent her to learn embroidery and pattern making, Miro had no intention of following in her footsteps.
Instead, she pursued other interests, studying geography and later administration at the University of Manaus. To support herself, she ran her own workshop, showcasing her designs at local fashion shows and exhibitions.
Her first foray into costume design came with the film Fitzcarraldo, which was shot in Manaus. In 1998, her exceptional work earned her a Drama Desk Award nomination for Best Costume Design on Broadway.
ROLANDO OBREGÓN (Sound Designer) is originally from Formosa, Argentina. As a live audio engineer, he joined Forever Tango during the show's tours in South America and Korea. Since then, he has traveled with the production across North America, Asia, Europe, Mexico, and Argentina. After many years of touring, “Roly” is delighted to be a part of such a unique and artistic show as Forever Tango.
Luis Bravo is a world-class musician born in Añatuya, Santiago del Estero, who moved to Buenos Aires at the age of eight. He began studying guitar at four before shifting his focus to the cello. Mr. Bravo attended both the Municipal Conservatory of Music Manuel de Falla and the University of Buenos Aires. Shortly after graduating, he joined the Argentine National Symphony, a position he held until relocating to the United States to study under the esteemed teacher Ronald Leonard. His performance credits include engagements with the Colón Theatre Opera House and the Los Angeles Philharmonic Institute Orchestra, among others.
During his studies in Argentina, he received numerous awards. An avid performer of Argentine music, Mr. Bravo premiered the Double Concerto for Cello, Bandoneón, and Orchestra by Lisandro Adrover—a widely praised piece dedicated to him—which he performed with the composer at the Cervantes National Theatre alongside the Argentine National Symphony. Christine Walevska has remarked, "I look forward to the day when I can add to the 'Bravos' at Luis Bravo's concert performances, where I'm sure he will be playing to the honor and pride of his great country."
In March 2001, he toured Japan with violinist Taro Hakase, recording the tango album "Nostalgia" for Toshiba EMI with the Forever Tango Orchestra. Beyond his solo career, Mr. Bravo has established himself as a respected artistic producer. He was awarded the prestigious Simpatia Prize at the Spoleto Festival for Forever Tango, which closed the Italian festival in 1996. In 1998, he received a special distinction from ACE alongside Rubén Blades as the two most successful Latin artists on Broadway. He also created a special program for the CBC with Karen Kain, featuring the performance of "A Evaristo Carriego" from Forever Tango.
The Boston Pops Orchestra dedicated a program to his work for the PBS series "Evenings at Pops," hosted by Leslie Caron. Mr. Bravo is deeply committed to promoting talent through his company, which specializes in Argentine tango and folkloric music.
Argentine music is characterized by its surprising variety, ranging from the "Baguala," which consists of three sounds sung without harmonic accompaniment, to the complex compositions of renowned artists like Astor Piazzolla and Lisandro Adrover. This variety extends to dance, where a stark contrast exists between rural and urban styles, exemplified by folklore and tango.
In 2002, he created Malambo, a production featuring a company of 30 performers from Argentina. This dynamic show presents an electrifying panorama of Argentine music, song, and dance, blending the rural gaucho dance tradition of malambo with the urban sophistication of tango and the fiery influence of Spanish flamenco.
Malambo originated in the early 17th century in the Pampas grasslands of Argentina as a competition showcasing gaucho (cowboy) skills, performed exclusively by men. This rhythmic and vibrant dance is characterized by virtuoso footwork, unique heel tapping, and cepillada (grazing the floor with the foot), and reflects the daily life and nature of small rural communities.
In contrast, tango emerged from a culture shaped by European immigrants converging on Buenos Aires in the late 19th century. Urban and nocturnal in nature, it gained popularity in brothels as a dance expressing loneliness, passion, and desire.
While both dances are native to Argentina, they symbolize the clash between pre-existing cultures and the influences of colonizing immigrants. Folklore retains its indigenous roots, highlighting the initial encounters between colonizers and the colonized. The tensions stemming from this interaction were intensified by the growth of Buenos Aires and the influx of European migrants. Consequently, folklore and tango stand in opposition to one another.
TOUR SUPERVISION
20501 Ventura Blvd. Suite 289
Woodland Hills, CA 91364
Ph: 323-655-5007
Cell: 818-324-3007
Fax: 323-655-5154
acrane-ross@harmonyartists.com
www.harmonyartists.com
Technical Supervision: Carlos Diaz
Company Manager: Oscar Leguizamón
Stage Manager: Jorge González
Sound Designer: Rolando Obregón
Wardrobe Supervisor: Larry Bell
Dance Captain: Noelia Guerrero
Photography: Mark Kitaoka, Marty Sohl
President: Luis Bravo
Accountant: Semma Pazzetti Cuellar
Driver: Luis Delgado
Travel Agency: Union Air Services, Karla Manyari
Legal Counsel in USA: Lisa Batan, Lisa E. Batan, P.C; S. Jean Ward, Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz PC