Everyone loves an underdog: Seabiscuit, American Idol Kris Allen, the Arizona Cardinals. If youre a perpetual winner, on the other hand, were secretly hoping youll trip on your $800 Prada boots and do a face-plant.
California troupe El Teatro Campesino uses bilingual dialogue and song to tell the story of the ultimate underdog an immigrant named Pelado in Luis Valdezs La Carpa de los Rasquiachis, or The Tent of the Underdogs. The play is really the story of every immigrant, says ASU associate professor Tamara Underiner, head of ASUs Borderlands program, which is sponsoring the performance. The idea is to take a look at the play, which was developed in the 70s, and see if the dilemmas are still the same today. Poor Pelado is manipulated by social workers, growers, and Sheriff J . . . er, El Diablo. Yep, not much has changed. But the play isnt depressing, Underiner assures. It will entertain the audiences imagination [and] pleasure zones, so they can think about the real questions later.
Fri., Sept. 25, 7:30 p.m.; Sat., Sept. 26, 7:30 p.m., 2009