Luis Valdez’ ZOOT SUIT
30th Anniversary production
directed by Alma Martinez
costumes by Sherry Linnell
set by James Taylor
choreography by Shakina Nayfak
Seaver Mainstage Theater, Spring 2008
Pomona College, Claremont, California
Roles: Lt. Edwards, Bailiff, Sailor
Founder of El Teatro Campesino, Luis Valdez wrote Zoot Suit as a work of political theater to expose the history of injustice and racism in Los Angeles in the WWII era. The play broke box office records when it premiered at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles in 1978, and subsequently moved to NYC as the first Chicano theater Broadway production. I was honored to play three small roles (Lt. Edwards, Bailiff, and Sailor) in this 30th anniversary production of Luis Valdez’ acclaimed play, which was directed by original company member and legendary Hollywood actress, Dr. Alma Martinez. Due to Dr. Martinez’ outreach to local schools, this production was performed for hundreds of high school students in the greater Los Angeles area.
You can read more about the history that informs the play, the original 1978 production, and Luis Valdez’ oeuvre of Chicano political theater here: https://research.pomona.edu/zootsuit/
