The Expurgated Mexico

Pancho Villa, we hardly knew ye

Comments (0) By Robrt L. Pela Thursday, Sep 30 2010

It’s a grand undertaking: Seven actors performing 50 roles to tell the story of Mexico’s turbulent history, in a tale that commences in 30,000 B.C. (what must the costuming for that section look like, one wonders?) to present day in a little less than 90 minutes.

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The Eagle and The Serpent: A History of Mexico Abridged is a new play by James E. Garcia that examines Mexico’s ages-old conflict between deep spirituality, secular enlightenment, and the impact of the country’s turbulent post-revolution traditions. As told by Moctezuma, Hernán Cortés, Sor Juana de Inéz, Cantinflas, Pancho Villa, Lázaro Cárdenas, and drug kingpin Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, that is.

The play, directed by Arturo Martinez, features music direction by Ruth Vichules and is presented by New Carpa Theater (formerly Colores Actors-Writers Workshop), a troupe founded in 2002 by Garcia to promote Latino and multicultural theater.

Fri., Sept. 24, 8 p.m.; Saturdays, Sundays, 2 p.m.; Thursdays-Saturdays, 7:30 p.m. Starts: Sept. 24. Continues through Oct. 10, 2010