Eduardo Juarez

State Hornet

Sac State’s first all-Spanish-spoken play proved to be asuccess last Friday evening in the University Union.

Over 200 students and faculty crowded the Hinde Auditorium toview “La Mano Fea,” (The Ugly Hand.) The one-hour play,consisting of five actors and three acts, is set in Michoacan,Mexico.

Written and produced by KSSU Student Manager Rafael Chavez, theplay involves the mindset of Mexican family as they contemplate the”American dream” and the prospects of migrating to”El Norte.” The occasional folkloric tone of the playincludes suspense, intense drama, tragedy and magical realism.

Many students have asked Chavez why this play is only presentedin Spanish.

“This play is directed towards the Spanish-speakingMexican community,” Chavez said.

Chavez realized that, for many members of his audience, this wasthe first time they have seen a play solely done in Spanish. Heemphasized the uniqueness of this particular play in that he hasyet to view a play in Northern California that is only done inSpanish.

“When I went into acting it was quick and hard,”said Eduardo Valdez, one of the actors in the play.

Valdez plays the role of an American who visits the family andhands them a talisman from which the owner can withdraw threewishes.

Valdez, who never took an acing class prior to becoming involvedin the play, realized his character was negative and “lookingto take advantage of the family.”

The play was written and produced by Chavez himself as well asthe stage and lighting setup. Chavez, who does not charge foraudiences to attend his play, feels that money is not an issue whenpresenting the play to the community. All five of the actors arevolunteers.

Co-producer and cast member, Bertha Picazo-Chavez, donated her$1,000 scholarship to the play. Picazo-Chavez was awarded ascholarship by the Serna Center for her work within the community.She felt that doing so would allow her to give to the Latinocommunity.

Chavez expressed concern that many movies today in the Chicanotheater depict Hispanics in a negative fashion such as involvementin gangs, drug trafficking or other criminal activity. One of themain messages behind the play, according to Chavez, is not only toacknowledge one’s own cultural strengths and value systems,but to “reestablish a cultural identity that is found in eachindividual.”

Marcos Sanchez, director of College Assistance Migrant Program(CAMP), emphasized CAMP’s work to promote and publicize theevent throughout the campus. Sanchez is also responsible forbringing the play to Sac State.

Chavez hopes to take his play on the road and tour NorthernCalifornia. The play is free to attend. Chavez, an undergraduatetheater and Spanish major, has been contacted by variousorganizations and schools throughout the state who have taken aninterest in the play.

The next stop for “La Mano Fea” is Woodland HighSchool on Thursday, March 13. The play will also take place at theWashington Community Center in downtown Sacramento June 25 at 8p.m. and June 26, 4 p.m.