Zoot Suit: A Bilingual Edition

Valdez, Luis. Zoot suit: a bilingual edition. Houston, TX: Arte Publico Press, 2004. 224p ISBN 1-55885-439-8 paper $13.95

The author of this play is Luis Valdez, the founder of modern Chicano theater and film in the United States. He became a member of the United Farm Workers before founding El Teatro Campesino. He produce The Shrunken Head of Pancho Villa, Bandido! and I Don’t Have to Show You No Stinking Badges. He is probably most known for his 1987 biographical film La Bamba, based on the life of Chicano rock and roll star Ritchie Valens.

Jorge Huerta is a Chancellor’s Associates Professor of Theatre at the University of California – San Diego and an author, director and critic.

The central character is Henry Reyna, a pachuco (man who wears a zoot suit). Reyna finds himself in jail as a result of the police brutality, prejudices, and social inequities. Music has a constant presence within the play, from the lively Mexican selections such as ” In the Mood.”

Sadly, the police brutality that appears in the play still occurs today. Some who read the play may understand that idea, and others may walk away thinking they simply witnessed history. The Zoot Suit Riots of the World War II era are largely ignored in most history books and classes today. This play tells its story with a fictitious story based on actual historical events. The play is well-written but should definitely be experienced in a theater. The pages don’t do it justice.

COUNTERPOISE VOL.9 NO.3

–Ashley Cisneros
*****************************************************************************
Ashley Cisneros is a co-founder of Chatter Buzz Media, an Orlando Internet marketing firm that helps companies and organizations engage with their target markets through inbound marketing via the Internet. Chatter Buzz Media, which won the Social Madness competition for the Orlando small business market, is a full-service digital marketing firm specializing in website design, search engine optimization (SEO), social media marketing and content creation. Prior to founding Chatter Buzz, Ashley worked as a newspaper reporter, magazine editor, technical writer, marketing manager, public relations practitioner and freelance journalist. To see Ashley’s content writing, visit www.ashleycisneros.com. You can also reach Ashley on her Google profile.