Productions.

• Smokin Word March 2004

This message was sent to us by El Extreme nee Luis Chalusian. Thanks to all Smokin Word members, friends and associate artists that participated in the fundraising efforts. A great poet has left us.
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Nuyorican writer Pedro Pietri passed away Wednesday morning en route
back to NYC after treatment for stomach cancer in Mexico.

The playwright was 55 years old. Family members will announce
shortly funeral plans for the groundbreaking poet.

In the words of columnist Juan Moreno, Pedro Pietri's significance in the world of writing is unequivocal.

"Pedro and most important his legacy are very important to our
people. I am not talking past here, I am talking as everlasting
expression of the reality of what being a Puerto Rican in New York
is. The guy has a gift, but in many ways; he is a gift."

Juan Moreno Velazquez author "Desmitificacion de una Diva"
Former entertainment editor of El Diario-La Prensa.

We offer our sincere condolences for the Pietri family from the
staff of WEPA! Robert Waddell, Maria Hernandez, Ed Robinson and the
crew of writers.

"Pedro is the sun, the light and the moon for he unraveled the way we
could express ourselves and be dedicated writers; not as marginal
oddities but homegrown voices standing front and center.

He lives on because it was his nature to share and encourage others.
His "Puerto Rican Obituary" is that he lives for the ages in each and
every one of us who believe in being artists and more importantly
human beings. I love you poppy and I'm glad I got to know you, see
you, listen to you and learn from you. You gave me hope and I pray
your soul is supremely at rest right now telling God what time it is."

Luis Chaluisan