THEATRE: ZOOT SUIT

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ZOOT SUIT

The revival of Zoot Suit at the Mark Taper Forum appears to be the biggest thing to hit the LA theatre scene in years, perhaps even decades! So, no Angeleno should miss this very important production.

Rose Portillo, Matias Ponce,   Daniel Valdez, and Andres Ortiz.  Photo by Craig Schwartz, as is the big one at the top of this page.

Rose Portillo, Matias Ponce, Daniel Valdez, and Andres Ortiz. Photo by Craig Schwartz, as is the big one at the top of this page.

Even though I knew going in that Zoot Suit would not be the usual kind of happy play that I like, I had to see it. After witnessing Luis Valdez, the writer and director, speak so passionately at Gordon Davidson’s memorial recently, about how wonderful it was of Gordon to have commissioned this important show way back in 1978, when Mexican theatre was far from in vogue, Luiz’s ardor convinced me that I would have to see this incarnation of it, which is running now to celebrate Center Theatre Group’s 50th Anniversary. (Plus, I was compelled to go, as my own little tribute to Gordon, whose family I’ve known forever.)

The defendants with their lawyer, played by Brian Abraham. Photo by Craig Schwartz.

The defendants with their lawyer, played by Brian Abraham. Photo by Craig Schwartz.

Here it is all these years later, and, sadly, the topic of the play is so relevant now. It reminded me of the recent Oscar-nominated documentary, 13th, about more racial unfairness. Ever since I was a little girl, I could never handle social discrimination. And I’m not sure that the situation has improved much over the decades. But, at least plays and documentaries such as these help make more people aware of what’s going on around us, which is a big step in the right direction. And I was shocked to discover, via Zoot Suit, that there were activists around all the way back in the day, who helped correct horrible injustices such as the ones depicted in this play. Good to know.

The scenario is based on the 1942 “Sleepy Lagoon murder” in Los Angeles. As the press release states: “Zoot Suit remains an urgent portrayal of the clash between generations in a Chicano family, the rifts between cultures in America, and how racism and injustice can haunt a city and a society.” I could not have stated it better myself. (Which is why I didn’t. Duh.)

Photo by Craig Schwartz.

Photo by Craig Schwartz.

But I hate that the script combines fact with fiction. Very few people do as much post-show research as I do, so I’m sure that most audience members believe every word in the script. Even the pal I took that night, who’s uber-intelligent, was confused by what the ending was telling us. I had to go home, do more research, and break it down for her afterwards.

It helps to know Spanish for the production, although it’s not necessary. (It’s like when I was in Italy; I don’t speak Italian, but people just talked to me until I actually finally got what they were saying. That’s how it is with the occasional foreign languages in of Zoot Suit.) [Note: By the way, there’s a helpful Glossary towards the back of the program, so you might want to get to the theatre early enough to check it out. And, since this one isn’t in there, let me explain that an actual “zoot suit” is a specific kind of attire that was very popular among certain ethnic communities, mainly Mexicans, in the 1940s.]

Phillip Esparza, (Executive Producer of El Teatro Campesino,) addressing the crowd, pre-show. Photo by Karen Salkin.

Phillip Esparza, (Executive Producer of El Teatro Campesino,) addressing the crowd, pre-show. Photo by Karen Salkin.

Since I had to miss the official opening night, (contrary to popular opinion, even I can’t be in two places at one time, although I do try,) I was happy to be there on another special night, when cast members from all of this show’s previous runs were in the audience…and they all sat right near me! Edward James Olmos, the original iconic character, “El Pachuco,” (thirty-nine years ago!–wow,) looked so proud to be among them. These were the most personal pre-curtain festivities that I’ve seen at the Taper since Gordon used to hand-out the “Skipper Awards,” named for his beloved father, who was my very first acting teacher in New York! I loved those nights. So I was grateful that this one made me hark back to them.

Okay, so my shallow review of Zoot Suit is that the star, Matias Ponce, is so cute! He looks kind-of like Sal Mineo.

Demian Bichir. Photo by Craig Schwartz.

Demian Bichir. Photo by Craig Schwartz.

And I was thrilled to see Demian Bichir, who was nominated for an Oscar in 2011 for his starring role in the depressing American film, A Better Life. (Not to be confused with the depressing French film of the same name.) I didn’t even realize that Demian was El Pachuco until he got almost naked! (I don’t mean that I would recognize his naked body; it’s just that I broke-out the binoculars to get a closer look, of course, and finally saw his face! See my paragraph above, if you need to be reminded that I’m shallow.)

And here’s one other very interesting casting note: Rose Portillo and Daniel Valdez, (who, along with his playwright/director brother, Luis, is the co-founder of El Teatro Campesisno, the company that brings us this show,) who play the main guy’s parents here, played the star couple in the original production, all those decades ago! Wow! Talk about sticking with a project!)

Jeanine Mason and Matias Ponce. Photo by Craig Schwartz.

Jeanine Mason and Matias Ponce. Photo by Craig Schwartz.

Even though Zoot Suit is not a musical, per se, there’s plenty of singing and dancing. (And it’s all in appropriate places, like when the characters are actually dancing in a club.) I was happy to read that so many members of the ensemble are true professional dancers, with many impressive credits. Jeanine Mason, who plays the main guy’s love interest, even won a season of So You Think You Can Dance! Who knew at the time that she could also act?! I’m glad to see that she’s grown-up so nicely. (I watch that show like a hawk, and love to see the alumni make good. A dancer’s path is not an easy one, so my heart sings when they’re successful. And I was happy to see her being supported that night by two of her SYTYCD colleagues in the audience: choreographer Tyce Diorio, and finalist on a different season, Katee Shean. I love mutual admiration societies!)

Matias Ponce and Demian Birchir. Photo by Craig Schwartz.

Matias Ponce and Demian Birchir. Photo by Craig Schwartz.

Actually, every aspect of the show is first-rate, from the wonderful casting job by M-O-C Casting to the music primarily by Lalo Guerrero, to the choreography by Maria Torres, to the script and direction by the aforementioned legendary Luis Valdez, to the performances themselves. It all worked beautifully!

And you know I love colorful everything, so I was visually thrilled by Ann Closs-Farley’s costumes, the very utilitarian set by Christopher Acebo, the clever projection design by David Murakami, and the lighting design by Pablo Santiago, (which is probably the first time I’m complimenting that art here!) I loved it all!

And I’m confident that you will, too.

Zoot Suit running through March 26, 2017
Mark Taper Forum   135 N. Grand Ave.  213-972-4400  www.centertheatregroup.org

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