A Theater Review by Luis Reyes

Get your tickets and go to South Coast Repertory Theatre in Orange County California to see American Mariachi. It’s a heartfelt, uplifting and enjoyable evening of original musical theatre. 

In American Mariachi, Lucha, a young woman hopes to restore her ailing mother’s failing memory with music. She hits on the idea of putting together a then unheard of concept of an all girl Mariachi group with the reluctant help of her cousin Hortensia. Overcoming many obstacles, not the least of which is, neither of them have any formal musical training, the women proceed on their chosen mission. Among the various recruited mariachi group members, a bond of friendship and female empowerment takes place. They confront tradition, family secrets, prejudice and gender bias in their journey to form a mariachi band. 

The English language play transcends ethnicity and is really about the traditional values of an American family in changing times. Along the way, you laugh and cry to the accompaniment of numerous classic mariachi tunes and new original compositions. The cast of familiar characters come to life with this wonderful female dominated ensemble cast powered by Diana Burbano, who largely with voice and body movement and virtually no dialogue, elicits empathy as the ailing mother Amalia.  Gabriela Carrillo is the faithful daughter Lucha who rediscovers her dreams, Satya Jnani Chavez is tough talking cousin Hortensia, Alicia Coca possesses an incredible singing voice and portrays Isabel, who finds herself independence, Marlene Montes portrays the earthy, hairdresser Soyla and Luzma Ortiz is a Rock and Roll holy roller. Mauricio Mendoza is a standout as the stern but loving mariachi father Federico who harbors a family secret.

Sol Castillo emanates a quiet strength and delivers an understated performance as the thoughtful compadre Mino who at first rejects the idea of an all girl band and then comes to their aid by mentoring them. Castillo also has a comic turn in a tiny bit as a priest who admonishes the cousins for trying to recruit one of his church choir. Andrew Joseph Perez assumes multiple characterizations. 

The wonderful music score offers a sampling of many of the best-known traditional mariachi tunes that will have you humming as you leave the theatre. The set design by Efren Delgadillo jr. evokes a Southwest style red tile roof house and living room that also encompasses a beauty salon and suggests other locales.

The playwright José Cruz González has guided the show’s development in various productions in regional theatres over several years. Direction is by Christopher Acebo.  Effective lighting design is by Lonnie Rafael Alcaraz and Cynthia Reifler Flores is the music director.The musical drama could not have been done without the live on stage musical contributions of the actual background performing mariachi include Esteban Montoya Dagnino, Sayra Michelle Haro, Antonio A. Pro. Ali Pizarro and Adam Ramirez.   

According to the program notes, although women have been performing mariachi since its origination, the field is historically and traditionally been male dominated. It wasn’t until the women’s liberation and Chicano civil rights movements in the late 1960s’ that women’s participation in mariachi became more widespread, especially in the United States.

American Mariachi is a family friendly show that is sure to please and the somewhat simplistic musical drama is a throwback to the classic Broadway musicals and has an easy to follow storyline that is easily understood, so language is not a barrier to the non-English speaking audience or any audience for that matter. 

Bring your entire family, abuela’s and cousins to this most enjoyable show with positive Latino leading characters. A perfect way to celebrate Hispanic heritage month.

American Mariachi is now playing through October 5, 2019. For more information and ticket reservations call South Coast Repertory at (714) 708-5555. South Coast Repertory is located at 655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, CA.

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