Chicano Theatre in the Rio Grande Valley

A band of Mexican teens is fed up with the dire conditions of insecurity in their land, so they embark on journey into the "beautiful north" to recruit an army of expatriates living in the United States to return with them to Mexico and rid their hometown of the bad guys once and for all.

That is the story of the play "Rumbo al Hermoso Norte," (translation into Spanish of the title of the book Into the Beautiful North, by Luis Alberto Urrea) adapted for the stage by Lucia Macias. The play will be staged Friday, March 26, 2015 at the Edinburg Festiba Community Festival in Edinburg, Texas. (See the flier in the gallery of photos for details.)

Directed by Lucia Macias, founder of Escenikos Art Club, the production is a one-act play which will consist of fast-paced action, light drama, humor, and comedy as the protagonist (Nayeli) and her band of friends submit themselves to the difficult task of traveling into the U.S. through illegal means, and face dangers and hardship that test their resourcefulness, their comradery, and the very fiber of their Mexicaness. When questioned by a border patrol agent, Nayeli states: "I am here at the service of both nations," adding "...I'm not an illegal. I'm on a mission. I'm a patriot!"

I, Gabriel "Benjamins" Sanchez, will have the pleasure of playing the part of narrator/waiter/border patrol agent alongside a talented cast of actors such as Wendy Lara, Erika Garza, Ali Orozco, Judith Luna, Hortencia Castilleja, Daniela Ramos, Heriberto Leal, and Leinad Castle-tillo.

Come join us for a great time. The event is free to the public.