Trio Los Machos Returns to Casa 0101 by Popular Demand Under the Direction of Edward Padilla
Los Angeles, CA — Playwright/screenwriter Josefina López’s play Trio Los Machos returns to Casa 0101 by popular demand, opening on June 17th, Father’s Day weekend and running through July 10th. Casa 0101 is located in the heart of Boyle Heights at 2102 E 1st St, Los Angeles, CA 90033, just two miles east of downtown L.A.
Edward Padilla will once again add his winning touch to this version of Trio Los Machos. His last directorial of Trio Los Machos at Casa 0101 prompted the L.A. Times to point out one of the charms of the play, “The older men are adorable, and the younger ones have shy charisma.”
López wrote Trio Los Machos as homage to her father but it’s also a love letter to the men who worked and the women who lived during the 1942-1964 era of U.S. Mexican Farm Labor Agreement with Mexico, better known as the Bracero Program
The play explores the camaraderie of three men: Lalo, Nacho and Paco, who are brought together as they labor long and treacherous hours on the agricultural fields and are bonded by a mutual love of music. Together they recall their 50-year friendship set against a backdrop of music made famous by the most popular singing group of that period, Trio Los Panchos. Lopez tenderly calls it a “comedic Latino ‘Bromance.'”
“My father was a Bracero, and this was his music. He played the music every evening and I grew to love Los Panchos,” says Lopez. I wrote this play as homage to my father and Los Panchos. I also wanted to bring attention to a part of history Latinos should know about. When politicians use immigrants as scapegoats and talk about how we immigrants rob this country, I like to remind them of our contributions. One way I do this is through my writing.” She added that, “Although I am not a man and had so many conflicts with my father for his macho views, I felt that as a feminist I wanted to reconcile with my father’s machismo through this play. I recognize the value of his sacrifices and how sometimes machismo is the way a man survives when he is being dehumanized. I hope you enjoy this play and fall in love with the music of Los Panchos.”
Once the three young migrant workers discover they are all devoted fans of Trio Los Panchos ballads, an unbreakable friendship is born. In time, they form their own Trio (musical group) and begin playing for their fellow field hands in the migrant barracks. As they hone their talents, they eventually quit the fields and become full-time musicians.
Trio Los Machos is an unforgettable youth to senior years life journey, exploring the heartbreak of aging. As their abilities and health begin to deteriorate, the men become increasingly dependent on one another. Their once proud “machismo” had always helped them overcome whatever challenges they faced, but now in their elder years, it has become a barrier for them and it threatens to destroy their lives.
Trio music aficionados will delight with the Trio Los Machos production. Some of the most memorable songs from Trio Los Panchos are incorporated courtesy of music publishers, Peer International Corporation. Songs like: Amorcito Corazon, El Reloj,Parece Que Va a Llover, Perfidia, Piensa En Mi, Quizas, Quizas,Quizas, Sabor a Mi, Sin Ti, Solamente Una Vez, Amaneci en Tus Brazos and Tu Recuerdo y Yo. In addition, two original songs are also part of the production: Corrido del Bracero (Song of the Braceros) with music by Danny Weinstein and Lyrics by López and Un Viejo Como Tu (An Old Man Like You) with music by Danny Weinstein and Lyrics by Claudia Duran.
Casa 0101 invites everyone to share brief stories of how the Bracero program and/or the music of Trio Los Panchos relates or touched their family on its Facebook page. For the duration of the Trio Los Machos run, one post per week will be chosen by staff and awarded a pair of complimentary tickets. Search Facebook: Casa 0101 Theater.
“I hope everyone enjoys this play and falls in love with the music of Los Panchos,” added Lopez, “I invite you to learn more about theBracero history by going online and viewing the many websites on the Braceros and their present plight. “
Trio Los Machos principal cast includes:
Héctor Márquez (Lalo), Daniel Edward Mora (Nacho), Henry Aceves Madrid (Paco), Claudia Duran (Rosario), Sephani Candelaria (Aurelia), Estuardo Muñoz (Young Lalo), Ruben Morales (Young Nacho), and Giovanni Verduzco (Young Paco).
Trio Los Machos Production:
Playwright: Josefina Lopez
Director: Edward Padilla
Assistant Director: Angel Lizarraga
Producers: Emmanuel Deleage, Rafael Calderon, Edward Padilla
Stage Manager: Cristina “Crispy” Carrillo
Assistant Stage Managers: Estibaliz Giron, Sophia Sanchez
Set Design: Cesar Retana Holguin
Light, Tech Designer: Kevin Eduardo Vasquez
Costume Design: Carlos Brown
Graphic Designer: Gabriela Lopez de Dennis
Music Consultant: Jesus Martinez
Publicists: Espada, Herrera and Associates
The Trio Los Machos production is supported in part by a grant from The Biller Family Foundation and a sponsorship from SCE Federal Credit Union.
TICKETS: $20 General Admission, $17 Students, Seniors and Groups of 10 or more, $15 for Boyle Heights residents with I.D.
PURCHASE: Contact the Box Office at (323) 263-7684, or online atwww.casa0101.org. Email: tickets@casa0101.org. Advanced reservations are highly recommended.
Access to theater: Metro bus stations are located on First in Boyle Heights at both Soto Street and at Boyle Street (Mariachi Plaza), within a short walking distance to the theatre.
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