MARIACHI GIRL Plays the Gallo Center This Weekend

"Mariachi Girl," a 2012 bi-lingual Spanish/English musical for children and family audiences, will be staged for the first time in California by the Gallo Center for the Arts today and Sunday, March 21 - 22. Both performances are at 2 pm.

Tickets for the show are $8, $12 and $20, and may be purchased online at www.galloarts.org, by calling (209) 338-2100, or from the Gallo Center ticket office at 1000 I Street in downtown Modesto. Groups of 15 people or more can receive a 15% discount on ticket prices by calling (209) 338-5062.

"Mariachi Girl" tells the story of Carmencita, who dreams of being in her father's mariachi band. But, her father insists that mariachi groups can only include men. When Carmencita reads a book about a famous female mariachi it expands her world and her notion of what is possible. Full of vibrant original music from a live band, "Mariachi Girl" explores how one girl can challenge her identity in a modern society while embracing her rich heritage.

Written by Roxanne Schroeder-Arce, a professor at the University of Texas Department of Theatre and Dance,"Mariachi Girl" is being staged by the same creative team involved in the Gallo Center's productions of "To Kill a Mockingbird," "The Grapes of Wrath," "Tomas and the Library Lady," and "A Christmas Memory-The Musical." The musical play is produced by Gallo Center arts education coordinator Jim Johnson and directed by Wes Page, with musical direction by Ric Campero. Author Schroeder-Arce is expected to attend the performances.

The cast includes Liliana Hernandez as Carmencita, Carolina Alfaro at Carmen, Raul Garcia as Luis, Robin Bjerke as Mrs. Parker, Careliseo Blair-Arana as Danny, and Daniel Hernandez as Jose.

"Mariachi Girl" at the Gallo Center is supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts.

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