The Marsh Transfers WHY WOULD I MISPRONOUNCE MY OWN NAME? to Berkeley

Due to popular demand, Irma Herrera's Why Would I Mispronounce My Own Name will transfer from The Marsh San Francisco to The Marsh Berkeley in February. Weaving history and comedic insights into stories about names, this hit solo show sheds light and throws shade on societal prejudices and assumptions. When giving her name its correct Spanish pronunciation, she often gets the "where are you from?" question. The assumption: that she is a foreigner. Irma's family has been in South Texas for generations, and the award-winning social justice activist, lawyer, and journalist thinks of herself as American as apple pie. Irma's notes from American history and laugh out-loud humor invite audience members to consider what it will take for everyone to get along.

Originally scheduled to close January 26 in San Francisco, Why Would I Mispronounce My Own Name? will transfer to Berkeley for an extended run February 3 - March 24, 2019 with performances 2:00pm Sundays and 5:00pm Saturdays (beginning March 2) at The Marsh Berkeley, 2120 Allston Way, Berkeley. For tickets ($20-$35 sliding scale, $55-$100 reserved) or for more information, the public may visit www.themarsh.org or call The Marsh Box office at 415-282-3055 (open Monday through Friday, 1pm-4pm).

Herrera is praised by TheatreEddys as an "ever-smiling, sparkly-eyed dynamo," pulling from her own experiences to portray the stories of her life with heart and humor. Lauded by the Mercury News, the show "speaks volumes about the ingrained power structures in American society" and offers "food for thought about how the dominant culture asserts and imposes its dominance."

Described as "A must-see for anyone who wonders what it will take for us to get along" (Colorlines), Why Would I Mispronounce My Own Name? was originally presented in The Marsh's "Rising Series" in late 2017, Why Would I Mispronounce My Own Name? returned to The Marsh San Francisco in October for a seven-week run before being extended. The show earned a Best of 2017 San Francisco Fringe Award and is always evolving with new material related to current social justice issues.

Throughout her 30 plus years as a civil rights lawyer, Irma Herrera (Writer/ Performer) fought on behalf of marginalized communities: farmworkers, students of color and women (of all backgrounds, but in particular women of color). A writer, former journalist, and visiting professor of social justice and education law, Herrera's notable accomplishments include the Margaret Brent Women Lawyers of Achievement Award from the American Bar Association's Commission on Women in the Profession, National Person of Distinction by Santa Clara University School of Law, and California's NOW Safety, Health and Equal Opportunity (S.H.E.) Award for promoting educational opportunity.

There will be free talkback engagements following all performances of Why Would I Mispronounce My Own Name? Leaders in the Bay Area's social justice community will join Herrera on-stage for half-hour conversations about their work addressing discrimination. A listing of guests will be available on The Marsh website (www.themarsh.org) and at www.irmaherrera.com.

Photo credit: Chuck Revell

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