By Cris Franco
For 30+ years Richard Montoya, Herbert Siguenza and Ric Salinas, aka Culture Clash, have served as cutting-edge performing instigators. Pouring gasoline on America’s burning social issues hoping that the blaze will shed the necessary light on our most pressing problems – all to hilarious results. Presently, they’re rebooting their 1998 hit play, Bordertown, retitled Bordertown Now, opens at the Pasadena Playhouse on June 3rd, 2018.
Here’s the latest from the fab three.
CRIS FRANCO (CF): What’s the backstory to the original Bordertown?
CULTURE CLASH (CC): Our first site specific work was Radio Mambo: Culture Clash Invades Miami –
CF: That’s a really long title….
CC: Yeah, because it was inspired by someone with a really long name, Anna Deavere Smith. She had just presented a serious staged documentary for the Mark Taper Forum. We adapted a similar format in “Miami,” but with a sense of humor. Following the initial interviews with our subjects, we knew the irony of the American-Latino experience could be best conveyed as a satirical comedy. So we created our own brand of “mocu-docu-teatro.” When San Diego Repertory’s artistic director saw it, he commissioned the same type of artistic exploration of San Diego, thus “Bordertown.”
CF: What kind of research went into this new production?
CC: Richard Montoya wrote the new material. He went to Nogales and Tucson and spent time in “safe house.” He interviewed missionaries, Sheriff Joe Arpaio and trans-border crossers.
CF: “Are trans-border crossers” transsexuals in search of a better life?
CC: Exactly.
CF: What themes does Bordertown Now address?
CC: Faith, hope and despair.
CF: Isn’t she a character in a Lorca play — Fe Esperanza Y Desesperación? Uncanny. What struck you most about revisiting your original “Bordertown” material?
CC: That the vilifying of our community throughout the decades comes and goes like the ebb and flow of an ocean.
Top: Richard Montoya, Herbert Sigüenza. Bottom: Ricardo Salinas Photo provided courtesy of Culture Clash
CF: As per your research, who’s gaining ground: immigrant rights proponents or Trump’s anti-immigrant agenda?
CC: Sorry to say but Trump’s anti-immigrant agenda is gaining ground daily, faster than Speedy Gonzalez — !
CF: — on Exlax! Are you in favor of an open border between Mexico and the U.S.? And more importantly, are you in favor of Pollo Loco’s open salsa bar?
CC: Bottom line, there needs to be plain and simple comprehensive immigration reform. But we can always dream as John Lennon did in his song “Imagine.” And then do as Pollo Loco does — have a free open salsa bar!
CF: Deportations are on the rise – any quick comments before one of us gets deported?
CC: Actually there were more deportations during Obama’s presidency. He was often referred to as the “Deporter-in-Chief.” But on the positive side, churro sales are on the rise!
CF: What food group is a churro in? I mean, it’s dough, fried in lard then rolled in sugar. That’s not a food, it’s a coronary on a stick — but I digress. How does your new narrative address the border wall controversy?
CC: Our set will be actual prototypes of the walls commissioned by Trump.
CF: Did you buy them at Walmart?
CC: Yes, and we’re going to have our Pasadena Playhouse patrons scale them.
CF: Obie Award-winning, National Council of the Arts appointee, and all-around Chicana in Charge — Diane Rodriguez, is directing you. What’s it like working with “The Diane Rodriguez”?
CC: Finally, Culture Clash and Latins Anonymous [a comedy troupe Ms. Rodriguez was in during the 80’s] got to kiss and make up! She is fabulous, dedicated and helping CC dig deeper in material and our acting. She is a joy to work with a true comrade and a comadre!
CF: Ditto. I admire and respect Lady Di, too. Her lipstick is always perfect. As collaborators, how do you three settle a dispute over “artistic differences”—with a traditional Mexican grito contest?
CC: Nah, too old school. Now we do a RuPaul-style “lip sync for your life” battle. Work!
CF: Speaking of work, do you think the wall will ever get built?
CC: Yes, by Mexicans who will know where all the escape tunnels are.
CF: Herbert, your female characters are too convincing. Are you in denial about something your fans (and wife) should know about?
Herbert Siguenza: I guess I was gender fluid before it became a “thing.” Seriously, I love to do drag like my hero, Uncle Milton Berle.
CF: If “Bordertown Now” was a burrito — what would it be filled with?
CC: Well, surely it would be a “burrito mojado.” Inside would be tender young Central Americans wrapped in Fox TV’s refried petrified beans, slathered in nationalism sauce and garnished with a twig of separatism. Yummy!
CF: Wow. You guys should write menus. But I’m glad you’re writing plays. If art is the great lie that tells the great truth — what’s Bordertown Now biggest lie and its greatest truth?
CC: The big lie is that we have an “immigration problem” with “hordes” and “caravans” showing up on our prosperous shores. “Illegal” immigration is way down. And the great truth is that today, anyone seeking prosperity is better off going to China. The U.S. is no longer the promised land, just ask any student with $90,000 debt.
CF: Let’s cover current events. What do you guys think will happen to the DACA program?
CC: First of all, exactly what does “Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals” mean? It sounds like a baby that’s way overdue and now needs some forceps.
CF: What do you think will be the outcome of Trump’s ending the temporary protected status of Hondurans? And how’s this gonna affect the price of sopa de caracol?
Herbert Siguenza: As an out-loud-and-proud salvadoreño, I’ll share a dark secret: Salvadorans dislike Hondurans. Since the Great Soccer War of 1968, we have not been on good terms. So screw ‘em and their sopa de caracol!
CF: Does Mexico/Latin America share any responsibility for the undocumented situation?
CC: For centuries, the US treated the whole of Latin America as one big “banana republic” by exploiting its natural resources and propping up a succession of strong arm military dictators, so —
CF: — payback’s an undocumented bitch.
CC: Amen. The chickens have come back to roost! In Mexico’s case, there’s no reason méxico lindo y querido can’t be as wealthy as the US. But corruption there is the national identity — not Frida Kahlo!
CF: You’ve written and published over a dozen plays and given over 5,000 live performances. What’s been the best and worst part about working together all these years?
CC: The best part is that we are making history together. The bad part is that we will soon be history.
CF: Herbert, what do you want your legacy to be?
Herbert Siguenza:: I want people to say, ‘Herbert was a bald Salvi that made good fried rice.’ I also want people to say, ‘Culture Clash was as good as fried rice!’
Culture Clash is way better than fried rice because after 30+ years, they’re still fresh. “Bordertown Now” BORDERTOW runs from Sunday, June 3rdth thru Sunday, June 24, 2018.
Engage in lively dialogue with renowned experts and community leaders after every performance of Bordertown Now.
Pasadena Playhouse Theater 39 S. El Molino Avenue Pasadena, CA 91101
For all show info & tickets: https://www.pasadenaplayhouse.org/event/bordertown-now/
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