REVIEW: Written: By Bel Hernandez Castillo
Fernandomania, now playing at Casa 0101 Theater, offers a unique and heartfelt theatrical tribute to Mexican-born Major League Baseball pitcher Fernando Valenzuela, whose meteoric rise to fame in the 1980s captured the imagination of fans worldwide. Conceived by Artistic Director and award-winning playwright Josefina López (Real Women Have Curves), the production weaves López’s throughline of muralist Roberto Vargas as he tries to finish Valenzuela’s mural before the legend passes, with twelve world-premiere playlets penned by a diverse group of Los Angeles writers. The result is a collage of perspectives that illuminates Valenzuela’s legacy not only as an athlete, but as a cultural touchstone for the Latino community.
The writing team spans from seasoned playwrights to first-time community writers, underscoring the communal nature of the project. Among the contributors is Valenzuela’s daughter, Maria Fernanda Valenzuela, whose piece Linda emerges as one of the production’s most personal and affecting entries. In it, Fernando (portrayed by Edward Navarrete) is seen in the early days of his career, leaving behind his beloved in Mexico as he is recruited by the Dodgers, only to return years later with a marriage proposal. The story, told through the lens of Maria Fernanda, movingly charts the couple’s journey through Fernando’s career ascent and their life together until his passing this year.
Each of the playlets, drawn from memories and reflections of what Valenzuela meant to the writers, is directed by a different artist, giving the program a broad stylistic range.
Of note is director Vance Valencia, helms three standout works. Kimberly Huff’s Safe at Home delivers emotional resonance, while Our Playground written by Dr. Connie Valencia reimagines the world of Latina baseball players in a manner reminiscent of A League of Their Own, yet firmly grounded in cultural specificity. Most striking, however, is La Habra Ass Foos by Don Huesos—a raucous, high-energy exploration of Chicano identity that electrified the audience. Navarrete, doubling here as the quintessential Chicano character Gabe, commanded the stage with humor and authenticity, demonstrating impressive range alongside his portrayal of Valenzuela.
Valencia’s direction showcases his ability to bring out distinct tones and textures across three very different stories, offering actors the opportunity to fully inhabit their characters. Particularly in La Habra Ass Foos, the synergy between script, direction, and performance creates a standout theatrical moment—one that lingers well after the performance.
While the evening varies in polish from piece to piece, as might be expected from a collection of multiple writers and directors, the overall impact is one of celebration, memory, and cultural pride. Fernandomania succeeds not only as a theatrical experiment but also as a community-driven homage to an icon who continues to inspire across generations.
Fernandomania runs through September 21 at Casa 0101 Theater. For admirers of Fernando Valenzuela, and for anyone interested in witnessing a diverse chorus of voices come together to honor a legend, this production is a meaningful tribute well worth experiencing.
Directors of FERNANDOMANIA include: Emmanuel Deleage (of Silver Lake, CA); Carmelita Maldonado (of El Sereno, CA); Karla Ojeda (of East Los Angeles, CA) and Vance Valencia (of Boyle Heights).
Playwrights include: Josefina López (of Boyle Heights) (Fernandomania Forever), which anchors the show playing out in 12 transitional scenes between each play throughout Act I and Act II; Maria Fernanda Valenzuela (of Hollywood, CA) (Fernando and Linda Valenzuela’s youngest daughter) (Linda); Oscar Arguello (of La Puente, CA) (No Sabo) (I Don’t Know); Chris Banda (of West Covina, CA) (Blue Days); Gloria Isabel Briseño (of Inglewood, CA) (Nando); Ignacio Gonzalez (of Downey, CA) (Beisbol y Novelas) (Baseball and Mexican Soap Operas); Kimberly Huff (of Azusa, CA) (Safe At Home); Jose Luis Lopez, Jr. (of Riverside, CA) (From Somewhere); Christopher John Magallanes (aka Don Heusos) (of Montebello, CA) (La Habra Ass Foos); Celina Martinez (of Silver Lake, CA) (A Good Hero/Un Buen Heroe); Michael St. Onge (of Fontana, CA) (Once Upon A Time in LA); and Dr. Connie Valencia (of South Los Angeles, CA) (Our Playground).
The Cast of FERNANDOMANIA includes: Adlih Alvarado (of Hollywood, CA); Yasha Alaniz (of Van Nuys, CA); Luis Galilei (of Los Angeles, CA); Veli Gonzalez (of Nuys, CA); Phoenix Marroquin (of South Central Los Angeles, CA); Evelyn Menchaca (of Pico Rivera, CA); Gabriel Montoya (of Sherman Oaks, CA); Martin Morales (of Silver Lake, CA); Jose Nateras (of North Hollywood, CA); Edward Navarrete (of Northridge, CA); Eugene Antonio Negrete (of East Los Angeles, CA); Itzel Ocampo (of Alhambra, CA); Jeremiah Ocañas (of Boyle Heights); Gabriela Pedraza (of Burbank, CA); Alejandro Reynoso (of Santa Ana, CA) and Laura Vega (of Pasadena, CA).
Tickets are available at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fernandomania-tickets-1402491031429?aff=oddtdtcreator