Comedic Talent Rick Najera Switches Gears for dramatic role in upcoming feature film

Hollywood, CA – April 16, 2008 –Rick Najera, known for his boisterous comedic film performances (Ladron Que Roba a Ladron, A Day Without a Mexican, Pledge This!), switches gears this month for his dramatic role as the sensitive, one-handed butcher ‘Jose Luis’ in ‘How the Garcia Girls Spent Their Summer’.  The feature, written and directed by Georgina Riedel, also stars America Ferrera, Steven Bauer and Elizabeth Peña, and is due out in theatres nationwide May 16, 2008.

How the Garcia Girls Spent Their Summer, originally screened at the 2005 Sundance Film Festival, tells the story of three generations of Mexican American women in one family who experience sexual awakenings over the course of a summer in Yuma, AZ.  Najera plays the demure love interest of screen veteran Elizabeth Pena in this compelling and heroic role.

Najera, a multitalented award-winning actor/writer/director/producer, (MADtv, In Living Color) often referred to as the ‘Latino Tyler Perry’ made Broadway history when his self-made comedy Latinologues went to Broadway in New York for a 4-month run at the legendary Helen Hayes Theatre.  His latest comedy, Sweet 15 – Quinceañera, recently celebrated its world premier at San Diego Repertory with a successful run and favorable reviews.  Najera, currently VP of Development at LATV, a bilingual network, recently executive produced The Homies Hip-Hop Show and Ceasar & Chuy.

For more information on the film, visit www.garciagirlsmovie.com.  For more info on Rick Najera visit www.ricknajera.com  or www.myspace.com/ricknajera or contact Scott Montoya at The Collective at 310-288-8181.