El Teatro Campesino presents

El Teatro Campesino presents: Luis Valdez'

"Zoot Suit"

Review by Elena Walker.

How does one approach a production in a converted packing shed, in a tiny hamlet you'd miss if you blinked twice while you're driving through it? With fear and trepidation, that's how. Unless, of course, that packing shed is the theater HQ for El Teatro Campesino! In that case, expectations abound and are inclined to color one's perspective.

Having fallen in love with the film version of "Zoot Suit", I had my sincere doubts about the play's ability to survive either remakes or time and to still develop into a satisfying product in 2003. But, as it's creator, Luis Valdez, says in his program introduction: "While ZOOT SUIT has gained most of its exposure through the 1981 feature film adaptation for Universal, starring Edward James Olmos and Daniel Valdez, the play itself has evolved through all of its incarnations as theater, film, radio and television. So our goal in reviving it here, in our lab playhouse, is to lock (it) into a definitive stage version, while allowing a new generation of artists to take it where they will...we are especially reaching out to new audiences who have never seen the play."

I settled into my seat and tried to be objective.... Two minutes in and I should have known myself better; as soon as El Pachuco appeared, I could feel my protective hackles rising. I get very protective about the performances of those I admire and I already considered E.J. Olmos to have created a definitive character. Foolish, I realized, but there it was anyway. I was dreading the moment I'd see somebody else in the role of Henry Reyna. How could anyone re-create what Daniel Valdez had already lived on celluloid? I chided myself for my irrationality and tried to steady my animal instincts into submission.

Raul Sabina Cardona. As I watched his opening, I was reminded of that infamous line from MY FAIR LADY, "...oozing charm from every pore, he oiled his way across the floor." Throughout his entire performance as El Pachuco, I escalated between loving and hating him: An emotional roller coaster I hadn't expected or experienced when watching E.J.O. Instead of being an outside observer, I felt some of Henry Reyna's confusion, his elation and his despair as he tried to fathom the intricacies of his intimate. In short, I ended up being totally drawn into Mr. Cardona's performance and his gliding gait. Bravo! I fear that watching Edward James will never be quite the same again.

Finally, Henry Reyna appeared. I praised Lukin Valdez's performance in MUMMIFIED DEER but in ZOOT SUIT, he was breathtaking! Nothing more to say.

Luis Valdez as Enrique Reyna was a joy to behold! He knows this character inside out and to say he played with it like a multi colored prism is an understatement. My only objection was that there wasn't enough of him. His scene with Lukin when they reunite after Henry's time in jail, was everything I could have hoped for: Father and son, in pleasure and in pain. I'm sorry we don't get to see more of these moments in the film.

The production was tight and well executed. Choreography was effective and fresh. Costuming appropriate and more believable than some of what is seen in the movie. Highlights of the production were the magical scene suggesting El Pachuco's ancestry and the choice of talent. There were lots of nice extra touches such as using the newsman as the court prosecutor.

One of the problems I have with the movie of ZOOT SUIT is the perfection of the cast. The trim waistlines, the brilliant smiles, the Hollywood style model caste. But in Kinan (director) and Anahuac (producer) Valdez's production, the actors have extended waistlines and imperfect profiles. It had a greater air of plausibility about it and Henry, his compadres and family became a livelier part of history. It was easier to establish in one's mind that these were real people who lived and breathed in this area, not such a long time ago. Watching it at this later time of war, with ever-present inter-racial tensions in the media and around us, added to the impact.

In general the cast were strong although the women often lacked polish or presented overly dramatic performances not suited to this production. The exceptions were Rosa Maria Escalante as Dolores Reyna and Sandra Longoria as Lupe. I found Rosa's over-dramatic style too heavy handed for my taste in MUMMIFIED DEER but it was just right this night. Sandra Longoria sparkled and shone as Henry's wayward sister.

In short, I understand why this production of ZOOT SUIT played to packed houses show after show, extending its season over and over and over. If I hadn't seen it quite so close to its end run, I would have gone to see it again too!