| Arts & Events - Friday, April 30, 2010
Local Spanish-language theater troupe melds art, education
by Andrea Gemmet
Mountain View resident Veronica Meza laughs when asked about the Spanish-language play she is directing for her nonprofit theater troupe Teatro Nahual.
"I'm not telling who is Mr. Baldomero. That's a surprise — and also why he died a virgin," she said, chuckling.
She's speaking of "Don Baldomero Murio Virgen," which translates as "Mr. Baldomero Died a Virgin," a historical farce opening May 1 at National Hispanic University in San Jose.
The play is set in Mexico between 1910 and 1940, and examines the Mexican Revolution and the restrictions on the lives of women then, Meza said.
"We criticize the role of women at the time, the political situation, but it's a comedy, it's a farce," she said.
Founded in 2003, the Mountain View-based nonprofit theater troupe aims to educate and entertain the Bay Area's Latino community in its native tongue, according to Meza.
"We try to bring a positive message, but sometimes we also criticize our culture — but in a good way," she said.
Last year, Meza said, the group put on the Bay Area's first Spanish-language version of "The Vagina Monologues" — a potentially controversial idea.
"I did not know what to expect, because it's a political play, but I found people are really open to receiving these kinds of messages," she said.
INFORMATION:
What: "Don Baldomero Murio Virgen" by Marco A. Almazan, adapted by Veronica Meza, with music by Gerardo Fernandez and presented by Teatro Nahual
Where: National Hispanic University, 14271 Story Road, San Jose
When: Saturdays through May at 7 p.m., beginning May 1
Cost: Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door
Info: Go to www.teatronahual.org, write veronica@teatronahual.org or call (650) 669 2949
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