"La Víspera" - unique holiday play gives voice to the immigrant experience

LOS ANGELES - Nov. 25, 2014 - PRLog -- 24th STreet Theatre’sTeatro del Pueblo (“Theater of the Village”) returns in 2014 with the world premiere of La Víspera (“The Eve”), another warm, funny and unique holiday play about love and sacrifice created from stories shared by members of the local immigrant community during workshops with professional theater artists. Written by Victor Vazquez, co-directed by Jesús Castaños-Chima and Sayda Trujillo, and supported by The James Irvine Foundation Exploring Engagement Fund, La Víspera gets four performances Dec. 6 through Dec. 14 at 24th STreet Theatre in downtown Los Angeles. All performances are in Spanish with English supertitles, and admission is only 24 cents. Following each performance, the audience will be invited to join the performers for a Posada (Christmas procession) around the neighborhood before heading back to the theater for homemade tamales, warmponche (punch) and a traditional star-shaped piñata.

La Víspera started out as series of “story circles” in which local residents were invited to share their personal stories.

“I recognized a common theme right away,” says playwright Vazquez, who was commissioned by 24th STreet to write a play inspired by local stories. “The pain of families separated by borders, and the joy of the new families they create in another country. I wanted to honor both those realities.”

La Víspera (“The Eve”) will have four performances over the course of two weekends:Saturdays and Sundays at 3 p.m.,Dec. 6 through Dec. 14. Admission is 24 cents. 24th STreet Theatre is located at 1117 West 24th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90007. Secure parking is available for $5 in the lot on the southwest corner of 24th and Hoover. The theater is air-conditioned and wheelchair accessible. For reservations and information, call (213) 745-6516 or go to www.24thstreet.org. Appropriate for all ages.