Daniel Valdez and Rose Portillo Played the Original Henry Reyna and Della Roles Now to be Played by Jeremy Ray Valdez and Jeanine Mason
Demian Bichir Previously announced as El Pachuco
Center Theatre Group’s Zoot Suit Runs Jan. 31 – March 12, 2017, At The Mark Taper Forum
Jeanine Mason, Rose Portillo, Daniel Valdez and Jeremy Ray Valdez will join the previously announced Demián Bichir in the cast of Center Theatre Group’s production of Zoot Suit at the Mark Taper Forum, which begins previews January 31, opens February 12 and continues through March 12, 2017. Written and directed by Luis Valdez, Zoot Suit is presented in association with El Teatro Campesino.
(L-R) Rose Portillo, Daniel Valdez (1981) in the film Zoot Suit ©Universal
Actors Daniel Valdez and Rose Portillo are returning to Zoot Suit after appearing in the world premiere production at the Taper in 1978, as well as at the Aquarius Theatre in Hollywood, on Broadway and in the film. Valdez played the leading role of Henry Reyna, while Portillo played Della, his barrio girlfriend. The two will be reunited for this new production, with Valdez now playing Enrique Reyna (Henry’s father) and Portillo playing Dolores Reyna (Henry’s mother). Daniel Valdez will also music direct once again.
“It’s great to come back to where it all started 38 years ago. I’m looking forward to inhabiting the world of ‘Zoot Suit’ once again,” said Daniel Valdez.
“I’m over the moon. It was a dream come true the first time. It’s a dream come true the second time, to come full circle and to work with Luis at the Taper, where Gordon Davidson and Luis were so influential on my artistic career. I’m looking forward to sharing Zoot Suit with a whole new crop of artists and audiences,” said Portillo.
Jeremy Ray Valdez, who will play Henry in the new production, is an Imagen Award-winner for La Mission, which was featured in the Sundance film All She Can and has guest-starred in such series as The Mentalist and Castle, among many others.
Jeanine Mason, who will play Della, won season five of So You Think You Can Dance and recently appeared in ABC’s Of Kings and Prophets. She also had a recurring role on ABC Family’s Bunheads.
International stage and screen star and Oscar nominated Demián Bichir (Tarantino’s The Hateful Eight, FX’s The Bridge, Showtime’s Weeds and Soderbergh’s Che) was previously announced to play the indelible role of El Pachuco.
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