213:
309:
with them was friend Bobby Telles. As the group socialized, three men pulled up and began yelling insults, met equally with words from Leyvas. The three drove off. The 38th street group wandered off until they heard a commotion from the parked cars, where Leyvas and Baca remained. A group of about sixteen men from the Downey gang were beating Leyvas and Baca, prompting members of the 38th street group to defend their friends. After the Downey group left, the group from 38th street gang left to gather more of their group, prior to returning to the
Williams Ranch.
515:, who were original cast members from the 1978 production. Instead of reprising their roles of Henry Reyna and Della, respectively, they returned to the stage to play the roles of Henry Reyna's parents. Rose Portillo was delighted to bring Zoot Suit to new audiences and stated, “I’m over the moon. It was a dream come true the first time. It’s a dream come true the second time, to come full circle and to work with Luis at the Taper, where Gordon Davidson and Luis were so influential on my artistic career. I’m looking forward to sharing
313:
the party goers and the 38th street gang. The fight was brief, ending when someone yelled the police were coming. In the aftermath of the fight, the party-throwers, the
Delgadillos, discovered the body of JosĂ© DĂaz along the road, who had left the party shortly before the 38th street group arrived. His pockets were turned inside out. He was rushed to a hospital where he died an hour and a half after admission, with a concussion and two stab wounds. The circumstances around DĂaz's death still remain undetermined.
329:
five of the twenty-two young men were found "not guilty." The other seventeen young men were convicted of murdering JosĂ© DĂaz, including Henry Leyvas, who with JosĂ© RuĂz and Robert Telles, was convicted of murder in the first degree and two counts of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill. Leyvas, RuĂz, and Telles were sentenced to life in prison, while the other young men were sentenced to one to five years.
304:
is based on the Sleepy Lagoon Murder of 1942 and the Zoot Suit Riots of 1943 in Los
Angeles, California. On August 1, 1942 JosĂ© DĂaz was at a birthday party at the Williams Ranch. A disturbance occurred around 11:00 p.m. when a group of twenty white men from the Downey suburb arrived uninvited,
494:
in search of Latino students. All of the
Chicano roles featured actors making their stage debut, and the majority of the cast was composed of non-theatre majors. Assistant director Shakina Nayfack modified the script to reduce homophobic and sexist language where possible. Martinez cast a female
377:
marked the first professionally produced
Chicano play. The initial ten-day run in April sold out in two days. An audience of season ticket holders and local Mexican-Americans gave standing ovations each evening of the performances at the Mark Taper Forum. A second run began in August and tickets
352:
wearing civilians with clubs and other makeshift weapons, and stripped them of their suits. Approximately ninety-four civilians and eighteen servicemen were treated for serious injuries, with all of the ninety four arrested, but only two of the servicemen. One source claims the Riot continued for
328:
George
Shibley later joined as an attorney on the case, winning favor from the defendants and their families for his attempts to communicate in Spanish. Alice McGrath was hired by Shibley to take notes on the trial. Though the murder weapon was never produced, after six days of deliberation, only
308:
Meanwhile, a group of men and women from 39th street drove their cars to the nearby swimming hole and lovers lane, dubbed "Sleepy Lagoon", also on the
Williams Ranch. Among the group were Henry Leyvas and his girlfriend Dora Baca, from whom the characters Henry Reyna and Della are contrived. Also
323:
In the process of investigating the murder of JosĂ© DĂaz, hundreds of young men and women in the L.A. area were brought in for police processing. Among the suspects arrested, several were severely beaten during questioning, including Henry Leyvas, Lupe Leyvas, Benny
Alvarez, and Eugene Carpio, and
312:
The group arrived at Sleepy Lagoon around 1:00 a.m. on the morning of the 2nd, to find no one, so someone suggested the Downey gang had moved to the party at the bunkhouse nearby at the
Williams Ranch. At the party, the Downey gang was not to be found. Yet, somehow a fight broke out between
195:
Through the efforts of George and other lawyers, as well as activist-reporter Alice, with whom Henry has a brief romantic encounter, the boys win their court appeal and are freed. The play ends with a Reyna family reunion as Henry returns home and Rudy is about to leave to join the
Marines. The
33:
563:
Valdez's play did not receive the same feelings in New York City when it made its Broadway debut. Richard Eder voiced a different opinion of the Broadway staging from when he saw the production in L.A. Eder notes that the design elements lacked harmony, and that
475:
publications. Many outreach opportunities were taken, including an alumni night, a staff appreciation performance, matinees allowing over 1,000 high school students to attend, and the development of a study guide for students attending the performances.
332:
The ruling was reversed in October 1944 and the men were released, due to the efforts of the Sleepy Lagoon Defense Committee, with Alice McGrath as executive secretary. However, many of the young men returned to prison, including Henry Leyvas.
347:
With rising tension between the zoot suiters and military servicemen in the L.A. area, what is known as the Zoot Suit Riots began on June 3, 1943 when a group of sailors claimed to have been robbed and beaten by Pachuco. Servicemen beat
572:
review by Walter Kerr criticizes Valdez for his use of clichés. Kerr also complains of the lack of emotional connection between Daniel Valdez and Miss Hensel, who play Henry and Alice, respectively.
180:. After a run-in with a neighboring gang at the local lovers lane, Sleepy Lagoon, the 38th Street Gang gets into a fight at a party, where a young man is murdered. Discriminated against for their
519:
with a whole new crop of artists and audiences.” Similarly, Daniel Valdez said, “It’s great to come back to where it all started 38 years ago. I’m looking forward to inhabiting the world of
954:
487:, the community activist on whom Valdez based the character Alice, were given awards. Also in the audience were members of the family of Henry Leyvas, on whom Henry Reyna was based.
196:
scene suggests that it is not the happy ending we expect, however, as multiple endings of Henry's story are suggested: that he returned to prison and drug abuse, died in the
542:, Jules Aaron laudes the play for its ability to both entertain and make a political statement. Aaron also notes the emotional content of the play. Richard Eder for
592:. Guerrero, known as the father of Chicano music, wrote music detailing the Chicano culture during World War II, resulting in the feature of the songs in
390:
on March 25, 1979, and closed on April 29 after 41 performances and 17 previews. The production was directed by Luis Valdez and featured choreography by
1044:
471:
had been produced in the Los Angeles area. The two-week run managed to sell out prior to opening night, despite minimal advertisement, primarily in
508:
184:-wearing Chicano identity, twenty-two members of the 38th Street Gang are placed on trial for the murder, found guilty, and sentenced to life in
1158:
353:
five nights, when military and police ended the violence. However, a second source states that the span of the Riots was nine days.
1173:
1132:
882:
Nayfack, Shakina (Fall 2009). "Que le watcha los cabrones: Marking the 30th Anniversary of Luis Valdez's "Zoot Suit"".
305:
complaining about a lack of beer. The group from Downey Gang were kicked out of the party after demanding more beer.
1168:
1128:
429:
928:
491:
503:
As part of the Center Theatre Group's 50th Anniversary celebration, playwright and director Luis Valdez brought
1163:
479:
The alumni event featured a reunion of original 1978 cast members, as well as members of the film version of
263:
The 38th Street Gang: includes Smiley Torres, Joey Castro, Tommy Roberts, Elena Torres, and Bertha Villarreal
560:. Eder adds his critique that the play is too specific to the Chicano community and lacks universality.
212:
1104:
1081:
818:"Prisoners on the Great White Way: Short Eyes and Zoot Suit as the First US Latina/o Plays on Broadway"
217:
324:
Manuel Reyes. Twenty-two men were placed on trial as a group, under the defense of seven attorneys in
257:
Alice Bloomfield: reporter and activist for Henry's case, as well as a brief love interest of Henry's
1120:
185:
1153:
452:
275:
Members of the Press: includes Press (who doubles as the prosecution), Cub Reporter, and Newsboy
67:
464:
387:
655:
Chiodo, John J. (2013). "The Zoot Suit Riots: Exploring Social Issues in American History".
548:
echoed Aaron's observations that the play is both entertaining and political. He adds that
410:
was the second Latino written and directed play produced on Broadway, coming second only to
374:
284:
Military men: include Bosun's Mate, Sailors, Marine, Swabbie, Manchuka, and Shore Patrolman
192:, Henry's brother Rudy is beaten and stripped of his zoot suit during the Zoot Suit Riots.
134:
83:
8:
1148:
1064:
1013:
993:
907:
899:
837:
769:
737:
729:
672:
544:
395:
269:
Downey Gang: include Ragman, Hobo, Cholo, Zooter, Guera, Hoba, Blondie, and Little Blue
378:
sold out yet again. This extended run was held at the Aquarius Theatre, Los Angeles.
1124:
841:
741:
676:
416:
911:
985:
891:
864:
855:
Pizzato, Mark (Summer 1998). "Brechtian and Aztec Violence in Valdez's Zoot Suit".
829:
721:
664:
472:
440:
370:
173:
158:
150:
118:
100:
95:
524:
411:
760:
668:
568:
failed to combine entertainment with symbolism, plot, and moral. A week later, a
342:
138:
1098:
817:
895:
460:
391:
201:
1079:
Fessier, Bruce (March 18, 2005). "Guerrero, 'Father of Chicano music,' dies".
868:
538:
was well received in its initial production in Los Angeles. In his review for
1142:
1028:
Eder, Richard (March 26, 1979). "Theater: 'Zoot Suit,' Chicano Music-Drama".
790:
589:
585:
512:
484:
403:
126:
122:
60:
50:
46:
1114:
639:
Murder at the Sleepy Lagoon : Zoot Suits, Race, and Riot in Wartime L.A
507:
to the Mark Taper Forum from January 31 to April 2, 2017. The play featured
177:
154:
1127:
Photographic Archive (Collection 1429). UCLA Library Special Collections,
833:
425:
189:
114:
72:
903:
733:
1109:
997:
773:
725:
553:
399:
197:
1011:
Eder, Richard (May 4, 1978). "Stage: Taper Forum Presents Zoot Suit".
596:. The music combines boogie-woogie and El Paso's version of R&B.
621:(Sixth ed.). New York: Bedford/St. Martin's. pp. 1256–1288.
349:
181:
176:, who were tried for the Sleepy Lagoon murder in Los Angeles, during
989:
758:
Aaron, Jules (May 1979). "Reviewed Work: Zoot Suit by Luis Valdez".
233:
229:
146:
32:
557:
266:
Rafas: leader of the Downey Gang, rival to the 38th Street Gang
467:. This was the first time since its stage debut in 1978 that
260:
Della Barrios: 38th Street Gang member and Henry's girlfriend
617:
Valdez, Luis (2009). "Zoot Suit". In Jacobus, Lee A. (ed.).
688:
686:
402:
nomination for best featured actor in a play, as well as a
498:
254:
George Shearer: lawyer for Henry and the 38th Street boys
683:
373:
in Los Angeles on April 20, 1978. This production with
955:"Daniel Valdez and Rose Portillo Return to 'Zoot Suit'"
204:
posthumously, or married Della and had five children.
976:
Aaron, Jules (May 1979). "Zoot Suit by Luis Valdez".
1121:
Zoot Suit cast members dance in the Mark Taper Forum
278:
The Court: includes Judge F. W. Charles and Bailiff
443:of the play, combining stage and film techniques.
161:of the play, combining stage and film techniques.
490:In casting the revival, Martinez cast across the
272:Lieutenant Edwards and Sergeant Smith: detectives
1140:
459:directed the 30 year anniversary production at
316:
1115:Zoot Suit 2003 El Teatro Campesino production
708:Lucas, Ashley (Spring 2009). "Reinventing the
612:
610:
608:
446:
495:in the traditionally male role of the Press.
523:once again.” Academy Award nominated actor
605:
296:
239:Henry Reyna: leader of the 38th Street Gang
641:. Chapel Hill, NC: U of North Carolina P.
857:Journal of Popular Film & Television
650:
648:
211:
1078:
1045:"'Zoot Suit' Loses Its Way In Rhetoric"
881:
854:
632:
630:
628:
499:Center Theatre Group’s 50th Anniversary
398:' portrayal of El Pachuco earned him a
386:The Broadway production debuted at the
172:tells the story of Henry Reyna and the
1141:
952:
692:
654:
616:
455:, member of the original 1978 cast of
381:
336:
1133:University of California, Los Angeles
975:
957:(Press release). Center Theatre Group
815:
757:
707:
645:
636:
356:
291:
1042:
1027:
1010:
625:
714:Journal for the Study of Radicalism
436:ran a mere five weeks on Broadway.
13:
1159:Hispanic and Latino American plays
953:Martin, Jason (December 9, 2016).
232:: an allegorical character of the
14:
1185:
1129:Charles E. Young Research Library
1092:
619:The Bedford Introduction to Drama
31:
1072:
1055:
1036:
1021:
1004:
969:
946:
921:
875:
637:Pagan, Eduardo Obregon (2003).
492:Claremont University Consortium
1174:Plays about race and ethnicity
1043:Kerr, Walter (April 1, 1979).
848:
809:
783:
751:
701:
693:Galens, David M., ed. (2007).
432:Award for Best American Play,
430:New York Drama Critics' Circle
361:
157:, Luis Valdez also directed a
1:
1110:Study Guide at Pomona College
822:Latin American Theatre Review
697:. Detroit: Gale. p. 279.
599:
588:and the playwright's brother
245:Dolores Reyna: Henry's mother
242:Enrique Reyna: Henry's father
236:sub-culture of the same name.
207:
669:10.1080/00377996.2011.642421
530:
527:also starred as El Pachuco.
326:the People v. Zammora et al.
318:The People v. Zammora et al.
7:
816:Lucas, Ashley (Fall 2009).
580:The songs threaded through
447:30th anniversary production
251:Rudy Reyna: Henry's brother
10:
1190:
1105:Internet Broadway Database
1082:San Gabriel Valley Tribune
896:10.1162/dram.2009.53.3.162
795:Internet Broadway Database
340:
287:Extras: Girls, Pimp, Cholo
248:Lupe Reyna: Henry's sister
869:10.1080/01956059809602774
695:Drama for students vol. 5
90:
78:
66:
56:
42:
30:
21:
1169:Plays set in Los Angeles
575:
297:The Sleepy Lagoon Murder
1100:Zoot Suit
917:(subscription required)
779:(subscription required)
747:(subscription required)
439:Valdez also directed a
188:prison. Meanwhile, in
164:
224:
37:1979 Broadway Playbill
1123:, Los Angeles, 1978,
834:10.1353/ltr.2009.0008
797:. The Broadway League
465:Claremont, California
388:Winter Garden Theater
215:
141:. Debuting in 1979,
113:is a play written by
1164:Plays by Luis Valdez
933:Center Theatre Group
375:Center Theatre Group
200:and was awarded the
135:Sleepy Lagoon murder
84:Sleepy Lagoon murder
1065:The Washington Post
483:. Luis Valdez and
382:Broadway production
337:The Zoot Suit Riots
1049:The New York Times
1030:The New York Times
1014:The New York Times
726:10.1353/jsr.0.0014
545:The New York Times
396:Edward James Olmos
357:Production history
292:Historical context
225:
1125:Los Angeles Times
1068:. March 26, 2005.
428:, as well as the
369:premiered at The
106:
105:
1181:
1087:
1086:
1076:
1070:
1069:
1059:
1053:
1052:
1040:
1034:
1033:
1025:
1019:
1018:
1008:
1002:
1001:
973:
967:
966:
964:
962:
950:
944:
943:
941:
939:
925:
919:
918:
915:
879:
873:
872:
852:
846:
845:
813:
807:
806:
804:
802:
787:
781:
780:
777:
755:
749:
748:
745:
705:
699:
698:
690:
681:
680:
652:
643:
642:
634:
623:
622:
614:
584:were written by
420:in 1974. While
371:Mark Taper Forum
220:and the cast of
174:38th Street Gang
133:is based on the
119:incidental music
35:
25:
19:
18:
1189:
1188:
1184:
1183:
1182:
1180:
1179:
1178:
1139:
1138:
1095:
1090:
1077:
1073:
1061:
1060:
1056:
1041:
1037:
1026:
1022:
1009:
1005:
990:10.2307/3219392
984:(2): 161, 264.
978:Theatre Journal
974:
970:
960:
958:
951:
947:
937:
935:
927:
926:
922:
916:
880:
876:
853:
849:
814:
810:
800:
798:
789:
788:
784:
778:
761:Theatre Journal
756:
752:
746:
706:
702:
691:
684:
653:
646:
635:
626:
615:
606:
602:
578:
540:Theatre Journal
533:
501:
451:In April 2008,
449:
384:
364:
359:
345:
343:Zoot Suit Riots
339:
321:
299:
294:
218:Gordon Davidson
210:
167:
139:Zoot Suit Riots
98:
38:
23:
17:
12:
11:
5:
1187:
1177:
1176:
1171:
1166:
1161:
1156:
1154:Broadway plays
1151:
1137:
1136:
1117:
1112:
1107:
1094:
1093:External links
1091:
1089:
1088:
1071:
1054:
1035:
1020:
1003:
968:
945:
920:
874:
847:
808:
782:
750:
700:
682:
657:Social Studies
644:
624:
603:
601:
598:
577:
574:
570:New York Times
552:is a blend of
532:
529:
500:
497:
461:Pomona College
448:
445:
441:filmed version
392:Patricia Birch
383:
380:
363:
360:
358:
355:
341:Main article:
338:
335:
320:
315:
298:
295:
293:
290:
289:
288:
285:
282:
279:
276:
273:
270:
267:
264:
261:
258:
255:
252:
249:
246:
243:
240:
237:
209:
206:
202:Medal of Honor
166:
163:
159:filmed version
145:was the first
137:trial and the
104:
103:
92:
88:
87:
80:
76:
75:
70:
64:
63:
58:
54:
53:
44:
40:
39:
36:
28:
27:
15:
9:
6:
4:
3:
2:
1186:
1175:
1172:
1170:
1167:
1165:
1162:
1160:
1157:
1155:
1152:
1150:
1147:
1146:
1144:
1134:
1130:
1126:
1122:
1118:
1116:
1113:
1111:
1108:
1106:
1102:
1101:
1097:
1096:
1084:
1083:
1075:
1067:
1066:
1058:
1050:
1046:
1039:
1031:
1024:
1016:
1015:
1007:
999:
995:
991:
987:
983:
979:
972:
956:
949:
934:
930:
924:
913:
909:
905:
901:
897:
893:
889:
885:
878:
870:
866:
862:
858:
851:
843:
839:
835:
831:
827:
823:
819:
812:
796:
792:
786:
775:
771:
767:
763:
762:
754:
743:
739:
735:
731:
727:
723:
719:
715:
711:
704:
696:
689:
687:
678:
674:
670:
666:
662:
658:
651:
649:
640:
633:
631:
629:
620:
613:
611:
609:
604:
597:
595:
591:
590:Daniel Valdez
587:
586:Lalo Guerrero
583:
573:
571:
567:
561:
559:
555:
551:
547:
546:
541:
537:
528:
526:
525:Demián Bichir
522:
518:
514:
513:Daniel Valdez
510:
509:Rose Portillo
506:
496:
493:
488:
486:
485:Alice McGrath
482:
477:
474:
470:
466:
462:
458:
454:
453:Alma Martinez
444:
442:
437:
435:
431:
427:
423:
419:
418:
413:
412:Miguel Piñero
409:
405:
404:Theatre World
401:
397:
393:
389:
379:
376:
372:
368:
354:
351:
344:
334:
330:
327:
319:
314:
310:
306:
303:
286:
283:
280:
277:
274:
271:
268:
265:
262:
259:
256:
253:
250:
247:
244:
241:
238:
235:
231:
227:
226:
223:
219:
214:
205:
203:
199:
193:
191:
187:
183:
179:
175:
171:
162:
160:
156:
152:
148:
144:
140:
136:
132:
128:
127:Lalo Guerrero
124:
123:Daniel Valdez
120:
116:
112:
111:
102:
97:
93:
89:
85:
81:
77:
74:
71:
69:
65:
62:
61:Lalo Guerrero
59:
55:
52:
51:Lalo Guerrero
48:
47:Daniel Valdez
45:
41:
34:
29:
26:
20:
1099:
1080:
1074:
1063:
1062:"Obituary".
1057:
1048:
1038:
1029:
1023:
1012:
1006:
981:
977:
971:
961:November 10,
959:. Retrieved
948:
938:November 10,
936:. Retrieved
932:
923:
890:(3): 162–9.
887:
883:
877:
860:
856:
850:
825:
821:
811:
799:. Retrieved
794:
785:
765:
759:
753:
720:(1): 61,63.
717:
713:
709:
703:
694:
660:
656:
638:
618:
593:
581:
579:
569:
565:
562:
549:
543:
539:
535:
534:
520:
516:
504:
502:
489:
480:
478:
468:
456:
450:
438:
433:
421:
415:
407:
385:
366:
365:
346:
331:
325:
322:
317:
311:
307:
301:
300:
281:Prison guard
221:
216:Valdez with
198:war in Korea
194:
178:World War II
169:
168:
142:
130:
117:, featuring
109:
108:
107:
22:
929:"Zoot Suit"
791:"Zoot Suit"
426:Obie Awards
362:Stage debut
190:Los Angeles
186:San Quentin
115:Luis Valdez
91:Productions
73:Luis Valdez
1149:1979 plays
1143:Categories
828:(1): 121.
768:(2): 263.
600:References
554:Cantinflas
422:Short Eyes
417:Short Eyes
400:Tony Award
208:Characters
1119:Image of
863:(2): 52.
842:190689203
742:162146032
677:145272170
594:Zoot Suit
582:Zoot Suit
566:Zoot Suit
550:Zoot Suit
536:Zoot Suit
531:Criticism
521:Zoot Suit
517:Zoot Suit
505:Zoot Suit
481:Zoot Suit
469:Zoot Suit
457:Zoot Suit
434:Zoot Suit
408:Zoot Suit
367:Zoot Suit
350:zoot suit
302:Zoot Suit
222:Zoot Suit
182:zoot suit
170:Zoot Suit
143:Zoot Suit
131:Zoot Suit
110:Zoot Suit
24:Zoot Suit
912:57566855
904:25599500
801:27 April
734:41887618
663:(1): 1.
424:won two
151:Broadway
149:play on
96:Broadway
1103:at the
998:3219392
774:3219392
710:Pachuco
406:award.
234:Chicano
230:Pachuco
147:Chicano
16:Musical
996:
910:
902:
840:
772:
740:
732:
675:
558:Brecht
473:Latino
57:Lyrics
994:JSTOR
908:S2CID
900:JSTOR
838:S2CID
770:JSTOR
738:S2CID
730:JSTOR
673:S2CID
576:Music
153:. In
99:1981
94:1979
86:trial
79:Basis
43:Music
963:2017
940:2017
803:2015
556:and
511:and
165:Plot
155:1981
125:and
101:film
82:The
68:Book
49:and
986:doi
892:doi
884:TDR
865:doi
830:doi
722:doi
712:".
665:doi
661:104
463:in
414:'s
228:El
129:.
121:by
1145::
1131:,
1047:.
992:.
982:31
980:.
931:.
906:.
898:.
888:53
886:.
861:26
859:.
836:.
826:43
824:.
820:.
793:.
766:31
764:.
736:.
728:.
716:.
685:^
671:.
659:.
647:^
627:^
607:^
394:.
1135:.
1085:.
1051:.
1032:.
1017:.
1000:.
988::
965:.
942:.
914:.
894::
871:.
867::
844:.
832::
805:.
776:.
744:.
724::
718:3
679:.
667::
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.
