The Stories Of Chicano Vietnam Veterans To Hit The Stage At Bootleg Theater

The invisible histories of Chicano veterans of the Vietnam War are being brought to center stage in the debut of "Ring of Red: A Barrio Story." The play will run from Sept. 20-30 at Bootleg Theater, 2220 Beverly Blvd. in Los Angeles.

"Ring of Red" is written by Pomona College Professor of History and Chicana/o Latina/o Studies Tomás Summers Sandoval who utilizes the unique testimonios, or testimonial monologues, to elevate the stories of patriotism, duty, service, post-traumatic stress disorder, addiction, family love and friction, and what it meant for one generation of Chicanos to live with the scars of war. Since 2012, Summers Sandoval has collected more than 50 oral histories of Latino veterans of the Vietnam War and their families. Those oral histories are now the backbone of "Ring of Red." The play is directed by Rose Portillo.

"Chicanos are underrepresented in theatre and we've got a misunderstood story," says Summers Sandoval. "We're talked about in the media like we're a threat, but Chicanos have been in the U.S. for a long time and we have a given a lot to this country."

Both Summers Sandoval's father and an uncle are Vietnam veterans, as were most of the men he knew growing up. Out of his own sense of duty to record the stories of these veterans and of their families, Summers Sandoval captured hundreds of hours of oral testimonies over a two-year period with the help of Pomona College students.

Among the actors, Summers Sandoval's father, will have a role in the performance adding a deeply personal touch to the work.

Performances of "Ring of Red: A Barrio Story" will start at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 20 through Saturday, Sept. 29, and also at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 23 and Sept. 30. The Sept. 23 performance will be followed by an audience "talk back" discussion. Tickets are $15 to $25 and available online.