Yearly, tons of of individuals collect in downtown L.A.’s cathedral for the Latino Theater Firm’s annual vacation pageant, “La Virgen de Guadalupe, Dios Inantzin.”
The nonprofit theater firm has placed on its rendition of La Virgen de Guadalupe and Juan Diego’s story each December because the Cathedral of Our Woman of the Angels opened in 2002. Over the past 20 years, the free efficiency has turn into one of many metropolis’s greatest vacation occasions.
Based in 1985, the Latino Theater Firm is devoted to portraying the Latino expertise onstage year-round. The group hosts round seven performs yearly, however the vacation present is the one one it performs solely in Spanish.
“For us, it’s a gift to the city. Spanish-speaking audiences don’t get much. So, during the holidays, it’s so important,” says Latino Theater Firm Creative Director José Luis Valenzuela. “People come every year, with their grandparents and their children. But, this year feels special.”
In mild of the continued Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids and the quantity of concern in L.A.’s Latino communities, Valenzuela, who directs the pageant yearly, says now could be the time when “we need to be together as a community.”
The Latino Theater Firm could have its annual vacation efficiency, “La Virgen de Guadalupe, Dios Inantzin,” Friday and Saturday on the Cathedral of Our Woman of the Angels.
(Picture from Latino Theater Firm)
Written by actor and playwright Evelina Fernández, the present is tailored instantly from the mid-Sixteenth century textual content the “Nican Mopohua.” It tells the story of Juan Diego, a peasant of Chichimeca descent who was visited a number of instances by the Virgin Mary. In 2002, he was canonized by Pope John Paul II, changing into the primary Catholic saint from the Americas.
Over 100 actors, singers, Aztec dancers and area people members will take the stage to carry out the miraculous story by tune and dance. De Los caught up with Valenzuela forward the vacation present, happening this Friday and Saturday. The occasion is free and open to the general public.
This interview has been condensed and edited for readability.
There are only some days till the performances. How are these closing rehearsals feeling?
It’s a sophisticated present, as a result of there are such a lot of individuals. Now we have the youngsters, the principals [lead actors], and the choir all rehearsing individually. That is the week after they all come collectively, and we now have to work on coordinating all of the sound, the lights, the blocking — all the things.
That is all in the great thing about doing theater, although. All of it must be excellent. There are a whole lot of issues that go into the ultimate product, and proper now, it’s a whole lot of transferring components.
You’ve been directing this identical pageant for over 20 years. Will there be any new parts this yr?
There shall be a brand new tune and a few larger dances. Now we have 30 kids [in the play], which is essentially the most we now have ever had. They’ve somewhat tune and dance. We often have the choir sing it with them, as a result of there weren’t sufficient kids to have the ability to hear them. However this yr, they’re going to do it with out the assistance of the choir. I do know it’ll be magical as a result of it’s not solely in Spanish, however there’s some Nahuatl in there.
However total, we should be collectively as a group. We’ve been so aggressively attacked and focused [by recent ICE raids]. We’ve been reminded of who we’re and have been instructed what our place on this society is. This yr, the pageant goes to be extra significant.
Even in my very own theater, we introduced in 80,000 individuals final yr. This yr, we misplaced 10,000 individuals due to the concern of gathering and being outdoors. It’s horrifying for the group to really feel that method. What this manufacturing does is solidify the concept that we are able to come collectively and that we now have desires and needs.
The Latino Theater Firm could have its annual vacation efficiency, “La Virgen de Guadalupe, Dios Inantzin,” this Friday and Saturday on the Cathedral of Our Woman of the Angels.
(Picture from Latino Theater Firm)
Are you frightened that the turnout may not be as large because of the ongoing ICE raids?
I hope that it’s going to be larger. Individuals know what that is, and so they should be in group. We want to have the ability to sing collectively, and see our tradition with satisfaction, with humanity, with love and with expertise. We’re not criminals.
Past the skilled actors and dancers, this efficiency features a bunch of area people members. What do you discover about those that volunteer to be within the present?
They renew their thought of religion, not solely their religion in La Virgen, however religion in themselves, of their dignity and their very own tradition. That’s why they do it. I’ve individuals who have finished it for all 20 years. We have to see ourselves on this manufacturing to see how stunning and proficient we’re. We have to see how a lot the group needs to be collectively.
Eager about the story of Juan Diego and La Virgen, why do you suppose it’s essential to revisit it yearly?
It’s all about understanding that by perseverance and braveness, Juan Diego was capable of succeed as a result of he created the miracle. He persevered and by no means gave up. As I direct the present yearly, I study one thing new. There are some years, I concentrate on the doubts Juan Diego had, or his braveness or his humility. However as all of us change from yr to yr, there’s at all times one thing new to know from it.
What have you ever discovered from the story this yr?
This yr, I’ve observed a necessity for compassion. The society that we dwell in proper now could be so exhausting. It’s all about blame and hate. However Juan Diego’s story can present consolation and pleasure. There’s this concept that he was one way or the other understood and got here out victorious by creating an incredible miracle.
Is there something you hope individuals take away from this group efficiency?
I need individuals to know that our historical past is superb. It has been a historical past of wrestle, however we undergo our struggles with pleasure — we sing. That’s the sweetness that I need individuals to stroll away with.
