East L.A. Classic Theatre In Partnership With The City Of San Gabriel Presents Much Ado About Nothing – Mariachi Style

This production is part of Shakespeare for a New Generation, a national initiative sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts in cooperation with Arts Midwest.

Through a long-standing collaboration with the City of San Gabriel, East L.A. Classic Theatre (ECT) is proud to present Much Ado About Nothing – Mariachi Style, a
unique musical adaptation of William Shakespeare’s classic play at The San Gabriel Mission Playhouse on March 28, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. free to the community. Along with the National Endowment for the Arts, this has been made possible through the support of the Los Angeles County Arts Commission, LAUSD’s Beyond the Bell Branch, the Department of Cultural Affairs for the City of Los Angeles, The Walt Disney Company, and the United Latino Fund.

Renowned film and television actor Tony Plana, star of ABC’s Ugly Betty, directs this professional production as well as the two offered to students on the preceding Thursday and Friday. Tony is Executive Artistic Director and Founder of ECT, which was incorporated as a 501c(3) nonprofit organization in 1995 and is dedicated to the development and professional delivery of educational outreach programs and classic theatrical productions that authentically reflect the diversity of American society.

The play, set in early California following the great Battle of Puebla (commemorated on Cinco de Mayo), has been adapted by Tony Plana and Bert Rosario in collaboration with José Hernandez of Mariachi Sol de Mexico®. This insightful interpretation of William Shakespeare’s romantic comedy takes on some unusual racial and historical implications as Claudio and Benedick, two young Mexican soldiers triumphantly returning home in 1862, unexpectedly find themselves in love with two Anglo ladies, Hero and Beatrice.

Borne of an exceptional non-profit/public partnership between ECT and the City of San Gabriel, Much Ado About Nothing—Mariachi Style was created in part to assist schools in underserved communities to meet the California State Board of Education’s history and social science curriculum mandate requiring 4th grade students to study “… the social, political, cultural, and economic life and interactions among people of California from the pre-Columbian societies to the Spanish mission and Mexican rancho periods.”

The production additionally compliments ECT’s programmatic focus in offering comprehensive literacy skills and English language development programs as part of the school curriculum and through after-school courses that expose youth to theater arts in a fun, contemporary and interactive manner. With over 13 years experience, ECT’s unique approach through its Beyond Borders and Language in Play programs improve students’ reading and verbal skills, writing ability, classroom comportment,  and self-confidence.

East L.A. Classic Theatre encourages students to be active learners who develop an appreciation of the arts while discovering the power of self-expression, creativity, and determination. To learn more, please visit www.eastlaclassic.org

About the City of San Gabriel
The City of San Gabriel, “Birthplace of the Los Angeles Region” – is a unique, special place. The events that have taken place in San Gabriel for more than 236 years, and the diversity of peoples and cultures who call San Gabriel home, lends a unique identity and have shaped the community into a rich, fascinating modem city. With the founding of San Gabriel Mission in 1771, San Gabriel became the heart and soul of the Los Angeles region and this great Valley that bears its name. The City of San Gabriel is dedicated to preserving the culture, vision and ideals of its heritage. To learn more, please visit: www.sangabrielcity.com

About the San Gabriel Mission Playhouse

The San Gabriel Mission Playhouse (formerly known as the San Gabriel Civic Auditorium) was built in 1927 and is located in the heart of the San Gabriel Mission District. The theatre exterior is patterned after the Mission San Antonio De Padua, with the interior decor a blend of Spanish, Indian and Mexican influences. The 1,400-seat theatre is the homes of many outstanding performing arts groups, featuring live theatre, music, dance, song and a variety of entertainment for people of all ages and cultures. To learn more, visit: www.missionplayhouse. org or www.sangrielcity.com

JUST THE FACTS
What: East L.A. Classic Theatre & The City of San Gabriel present
Much Ado About Nothing – Mariachi Style
A musical adaptation of William Shakespeare’s classic play directed by Tony Plana

When: Family/Community Performance, Saturday, March 28, 2009 at 7:00 p.m.

Where: The San Gabriel Mission Playhouse
320 South Mission Drive, San Gabriel, CA 91776
Cost: Free

Reservations: Please call ECT at (213) 572-0121 ext, 104 to reserve your seats now.