El Teatro Campesino enters its second successful week of
performances featuring the latest production of
”
La Virgen Del Tepeyac.
”
El Teatro Campesino enters its second successful week of performances featuring the latest production of “La Virgen Del Tepeyac.”
The biennial performance offers a dramatization of the four apparitions of Our Lady of Guadalupe to the Indian messenger Juan Diego in 1531. He returned to Mexico with instructions that a temple be built in her honor on Tepeyac Hill, where the Indians had worshiped Tonantzin (Our Mother) for centuries before the arrival of the Conquistadores.
This marked the first time in recorded history that theVirgin Mary had appeared to anyone, so the consequences for her Aztec messenger in the heyday of the Spanish Inquisition, could have been severe. It was only the miraculous proof of Our Lady’s beautiful roses that saved him.
The play is adapted by Luis Valdez from 17th century text, El Teatro Campesino’s La Virgen Del Tepeyac is performed and sung entirely in Spanish and Nahuatl (Aztec), with accompanying librettos for English speaking audiences.
Attended by thousands of faithful followers, farm worker families and urban theater aficionados over the last three decades, the spirit and music of the play provide a moving experience touching the essence of the holiday season.
Directed by Kinan Valdez, the colorful pageant of music, dance and drama marks the 32nd year of El Teatro Campesino’s Christmas productions in the historic 200-year-old Mission San Juan Bautista.
Performances run from Nov. 29 through Dec. 22. Tickets are $20 for adults, $16 for students and seniors and $10 for children.
Shows are Friday through Sunday at 8 p.m. with matinees Sundays at 4 p.m.
For tickets, call 623-2512.
