El Teatro Campesino News

Luis Valdez' VALLEY OF THE HEART, currently at the Mark Taper Forum, vividly depicts the tale of two immigrant families (the Yamaguchis and the Montaños), both caught up in the aftermath of the attack on Pearl Harbor in the 1940s. Friends before the war, their oldest children, Teruko "Thelma" Yamaguchi and Ben Montaños, had secretly fallen in love. I had the chance to question Melanie Arii Mah (who's playing Teruko) on her history with HEART, as well as, her personal family accounts during this tragic historical time.

Performances for Center Theatre Group's production of "Valley of the Heart" will begin on October 30 at the Mark Taper Forum. Written and directed by Luis Valdez ("Zoot Suit") and presented in association with El Teatro Campesino, the production will run through December 9, 2018. The opening will be on Wednesday, November 7 at 8 p.m.

Rehearsals have begun for Center Theatre Group's production of "Valley of the Heart," which is written and directed by Luis Valdez ("Zoot Suit"). Presented in association with El Teatro Campesino, the production will play at the Mark Taper Forum October 30 through December 9, 2018. The opening will be on Wednesday, November 7.

The William Inge Center for the Arts is pleased to announce playwright Octavio Solis will be the recipient of the 2019 Distinguished Achievement in the American Theater Award for his outstanding contributions to the national theater landscape. Solis will be presented the award at the 38th annual William Inge Theater Festival, the Official Theatre Festival of the State of Kansas, at Independence Community College, in Independence, Kansas. The festival will be held May 22-25, 2019.

The William Inge Center for the Arts is pleased to announce playwright Octavio Solis will be the recipient of the 2019 Distinguished Achievement in the American Theater Award for his outstanding contributions to the national theater landscape. Solis will be presented the award at the 38th annual William Inge Theater Festival, the Official Theatre Festival of the State of Kansas, at Independence Community College, in Independence, Kansas. The festival will be held May 22-25, 2019.

The Western Stage is pleased to present Richard Montoya's American Night: The Ballad of Juan Jose, a provocative, irreverent, and hilarious mix of past and present, stereotype and truth; that creates a deeper vision into our shared history. As Juan Jose feverishly studies for his citizenship exam, his obsession to pass takes him on a fantastical odyssey through U.S. history, guided by a handful of unsung citizens who made courageous choices in some of the country's toughest times.

Center Theatre Group has announced the cast for "Valley of the Heart," which is written and directed by Luis Valdez ("Zoot Suit"). Presented in association with El Teatro Campesino, the production will play at the Mark Taper Forum October 30 through December 9, 2018. The opening will be on Wednesday, November 7.

San Jose Stage Artistic Director Randall King announced the company's 36th Season line up. 'Looking toward our 36th Season we will continue our mission of producing powerful, provocative, and profound work that illuminates the human condition. We are excited to bring you an explosively charged  season with award-winning works by theatre's most masterful playwrights - Martin McDonagh, Stephen Adly Guirgis, and Tennessee Williams - including two Pulitzer Prize-winning dramas, an Obie Award-winning satirical comedy and a newly commissioned world premiere by Luis Valdez.'  

The Western Stage is pleased to present Richard Montoya's American Night: The Ballad of Juan Jose, a provocative, irreverent, and hilarious mix of past and present, stereotype and truth; that creates a deeper vision into our shared history. As Juan Jose feverishly studies for his citizenship exam, his obsession to pass takes him on a fantastical odyssey through U.S. history, guided by a handful of unsung citizens who made courageous choices in some of the country's toughest times.

TheatreWorks Silicon Valley continues its 2018/19 season with Native Gardens, a cutting-edge suburban comedy from America's hottest new playwright and National Latino Playwriting Award winner, Karen Zacarias. When an up-and-coming Latino couple purchases a home in a sought-after neighborhood beside the prize-winning garden of a prominent Washington D.C. family, conflicts over fences and flora spiral into an uproarious clash of cultures, exposing both couples' notions of race, taste, class, and privilege. Directed by Amy Gonzalez (Sunset and Margaritas, Anna in the Tropics), Native Gardens will be presented August 22 - September 16, 2018 (press opening: August 25) at Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro Street, Mountain View. For tickets ($40-$100) and more information the public may visit TheatreWorks.org or call (650) 463-1960.

TheatreWorks Silicon Valley continues its 2018/19 season with Native Gardens, a cutting-edge suburban comedy from America's hottest new playwright and National Latino Playwriting Award winner, Karen Zacarias. When an up-and-coming Latino couple purchases a home in a sought-after neighborhood beside the prize-winning garden of a prominent Washington D.C. family, conflicts over fences and flora spiral into an uproarious clash of cultures, exposing both couples' notions of race, taste, class, and privilege. Directed by Amy Gonzalez (Sunset and Margaritas, Anna in the Tropics), Native Gardens will be presented August 22 - September 16, 2018 (press opening: August 25) at Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro Street, Mountain View. For tickets ($40-$100) and more information the public may visit TheatreWorks.org or call (650) 463-1960.

Circle X Theatre Co. presents the world premiere of a site-specific theatrical event, HOLE IN THE SKY, written by Octavio Solis and directed by Kate Jopson (Fefu and Her Friends). Commissioned by Circle X Theatre Co., HOLE IN THE SKY will have a press opening on Friday, August 24 at 8pm and continue through Sunday, September 23 at Courtship Ranch, 11270 Dominica Ave. in Lake View Terrace.

TheatreWorks Silicon Valley continues its 2018/19 season with Native Gardens, a cutting-edge suburban comedy from America's hottest new playwright and National Latino Playwriting Award winner, Karen Zacarias. When an up-and-coming Latino couple purchases a home in a sought-after neighborhood beside the prize-winning garden of a prominent Washington D.C. family, conflicts over fences and flora spiral into an uproarious clash of cultures, exposing both couples' notions of race, taste, class, and privilege. Directed by Amy Gonzalez (Sunset and Margaritas, Anna in the Tropics), Native Gardens will be presented August 22 - September 16, 2018 (press opening: August 25) at Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro Street, Mountain View. For tickets ($40-$100) and more information the public may visit TheatreWorks.org or call (650) 463-1960.

Pasadena Playhouse, the State Theater of California announced today that CHIRLA will present the continuation of their "Immigration Art Night - A Celebration of Our Immigrant Heritage," (which begins Thursday June 21 at CHIRLA) on Friday, June 22 to kick off the final weekend of Bordertown Now performances.  The same evening, a post-performance talk will be held with multidisciplinary artists Xicanx Sun Cha and Gabriella Sanchez to discuss art as space and catalyst of identity exploration and experimentation curated by House of Arts and Ideas.

Garry Marshall Theatre presents the Inaugural New Works Festival featuring readings of eight new plays over four days, May 22, 23, 29 and 30, with readings at 4pm and 8pm.

Pasadena Playhouse, the State Theater of California is presenting Culture Clash, revisiting their hit Bordertown twenty years later, with Bordertown Now from Wednesday May 30 to Sunday June 24 at Pasadena Playhouse.

Garry Marshall Theatre presents the Inaugural New Works Festival featuring readings of eight new plays over four days, May 22, 23, 29 and 30, with readings at 4pm and 8pm.

Borderlands Theater presents the theatrical event Barrio Stories in Barrio Anita, conceived and directed by Marc David Pinate, with collaborating artists Adam Cooper Teran, Heather Gray, Sarah Gonzales, and Wesley Creigh. Special two-day performance April 20-21, 2018

Borderlands Theater presents a holiday favorite, the 21st Annual, A Tucson Pastorela, written by Milta Ortiz and the ghostwriters. Local theater professional Marc David Pinate directs. A Tucson Pastorela runs December 14-17.

Borderlands Theater presents a holiday favorite, the 21st Annual, A Tucson Pastorela, written by Milta Ortiz and the ghostwriters. Local theater professional Marc David Pinate directs. A Tucson Pastorela runs December 14-17.