(from left) amanda robles, heather velazquez, jennifer paredes, natalie camunas, and crissy guerrero; in a scene from american mariachi, written by josé cruz gonzález, directed by james vásquez, in association with denver center for the performing arts theatre company


James Vásquez, who has


huge part of San Diego. It tells a story that’s sweet, moving and fun and frankly universal in its themes: memory, family, self-expression, love, loss, and music. It’s a story that’s hugely resonant at this mo- ment in our national life. Lucha’s determination to play mariachi is a tale of a young woman’s quest to find her own voice, in spite of a patriarchal culture that doesn’t want to hear her. It’s an American story in a deeper sense as well, of how our national culture takes shape through contributions brought here from across our borders.” The Rage Monthly caught up withAmerican Mariachi director James Vásquez as well as cast member Heather Velazquez, who plays the role of Hortensia (aka “Boli”).


been a formidable part of the San Diego Theatre scene, previously direct- ing The Old Globe’s Rich Girl, Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, andThe Rocky Horror Show, has been working with González for the last year. “José has been working on the show for four years. We met here in San Diego about a year and a half ago and we started working together via email and on the phone. Last July I went to Los Angeles and we did a two-week workshop where we really had the chance to shape the show in a beautiful way. We then accepted auditions from all over the country and got the cast together in Denver at the end of December. It has been a spectacular experience, this cast and crew has become a family. All of the cast is Latinx and it stars five women who are finding their way and their voice. We got an amazing response in Denver, everyone from Latinx to teens to older Caucasians gave it rave reviews. The Mariachi music puts a real fire in your gut. Now we have beamed over the entire show to San Diego including nine actors, five Mariachis, the sets and costumes.” Heather Velazquez, whoearned her BFA in Theatre from New World School of The Arts, hails from New York and is looking forward to the warm San Diego weather. Her Off-Broadway credits include: Pipeline (Lincoln Center); Another Word for Beauty (Goodman Theatre);So Go the Ghosts of Mexico (Sundance Theatre Lab); Rosario and the Gypsies, Worship (Theatre for the New City); Pinkolandia (Intar Theatre);Nobody Rides a Locomotive No’ Mo(Rising Circle Theatre). Velazquez discussed the rareness of an all Latinx


cast, “It can be far and few between. As an actor, finding a Latina role is difficult and then the casting director has to decide if you are right for that type of Latina. American Mariachi is pretty amazing, José wrote a character I really connect with—a character that is ahead of her time—especially her jokes and her wit. She is the firecracker of all the ladies in the show and the comic relief in some ways. For me, I appreciate that the play shows different kinds of Latina women, what women can be. Often, they are represented as being one certain kind of way. All


If you allow it to, it will sink into your soul.


The background story about a family and about women, Latino women, is a story that needs to be told.


five of these women are so different and still from this culture.” “In casting the show,”


adds James Vásquez, “we not only needed to find an all Latinx cast, but a Latinx cast that could act and sing, and also have some musical


ability. Every character plays an instrument. We suckered them into learning how to play Mariachi


instruments in four weeks of rehearsal.” Laughing, Velazquez agreed, “Yes, we bonded through that; none of us knew how to play our specific instru- ment. We learned how to play and how to become a band. That is the story of the show. Art really imitated life in the rehearsal hall…we were a band of misfits coming together.” Vásquez followed again, commenting, “It


is really exciting to have this show land in my hometown, because representation is important, seeing ourselves on stage. In Denver it was incredible to see the amount of Latino faces in the audience, some who had never been to the theatre. The Old Globe is really working to get into the heart of the community; telling a story that celebrates a culture, a music, and a family. Mariachi music solidifies, it is used to celebrate births, to celebrate deaths, to honor our ancestors.” He continued, “Going back to José and his skill, he has written a universal story. In Denver I was witness to hesitant audience members. Some were fearful they might not understand all of the play; parts of it are in Spanish, but it is always countered or answered in English. By the end of the show, they were …It will lift you up.” Heather Velazquez agreed, “If you allow it to, it


will sink into your soul. The background story about a family and about women, Latino women, is a story that needs to be told. I appreciate that the Denver Center for the Performing Arts and The Old Globe allowed us to tell it. Audiences will go home and reflect on it. We have been given a chance to affect their day-to-day lives.”


The Old Globe’s production ofAmerican Mariachiwill run through Sunday, April 29. For tickets and more information, call 619.234.5623 or visit them online attheoldglobe.org.


APRIL 2018 | RAGE monthly 43


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