James Garcia's New Play Tears of Lives a Hit: Four More Shows Added This Weekend

Good news for those who missed watching local playwright James Garcia's newest play:

Due to overwhelming popularity, Tears of Lives will have four more shows this weekend. Ripped from the headlines of stories about recent raids and deportations, the play adds a third dimension to the much-reported immigration story: Humanity.

Tears of Lives introduces us to families whose lives have been ripped apart when a loved one is deported.

According to Macehualli Work Center director and local activist Salvador Reza, the play's reception has been overwhelming. All five of last weekend's shows were packed. Sunday's matinee was sold out.

"I think people in the audience were touched on a gut level," says Garcia. "They are seeing onstage something they've only heard about."

The production is a fundraiser to help keep the Macehualli Work Center open. Reza estimates that the first weekend raised as much as $8,000.

Tears of Lives will be showing on at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 2:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Playhouse on the Park. Tickets can be purchased at the box office, or online at www.centromacehualli.org.