Zoot Suit by Luis Valdez, Essay Example

Introduction

As for the play Zoot Suit by Luis Valdes, it is worth saying that I had a chance to see it in SJSU University Theatre. Concerning the theatre company who produced the discussion play, it is Special Arrangements with El Teatro Campesino, San Juan Bautista, California, directed by Kenan Valdez. Having seen the play on April 23, 2015, I must admit that this drama will obviously stay in my memory once and for all times; the thing is that the play Zoot Suitoccurred as a real excursus to the history of racial challenges that one cannot but encounter to be still of interest at this time. The historically based and with the utilization of music and dances, this drama incorporates absolutely mature entity; evidently, a young audience is not likely to get the feel of this play. As for the time period, the play lasts almost two hours; however, such a relatively long duration does not disturb, since the setting of the play is designed in a way to view it in a burst of inspiration. Among the themes that the play inevitably communicates, it is worth emphasizing racial discrimination as well as the signs of injustice in the American society.

Analyzing the given play, it becomes apparent that the Luis Miguel Valdez was aimed at questioning the yellow journalism, which does not reflect harsh reality of zoot-suiters. As for the essay it itself, it argues that, in view of the playwright, the violence of both U.S. Navy and Marines towards both Mexican Americans was boundless; indisputably, brutal attitude towards Chicano identity was mostly caused by the prevailing discriminatory measures of the U.S. policy.

Discussion

As for the directing components that one cannot but encounter, it is worth taking into consideration the emergence of El Pachuro, a cultural icon of the 70s. Today, El Pachuro occurs as an obsolete caricature. Notwithstanding this fact, the director Kenan Valdez managed to endow El Pachuro with many curious facts to narrate; and the information is conveyed with an amazing zest and unquestionable creativity. Apart from an extraordinary El Pachuro, one should also pay attention to a number of exuberant dance performances; all these components became an integral part of the concisely constructed setting of the play. On the other hand, the script appears as sufficiently talky and, thus, it entails human discourse. Evidently, the overall movement patterns positively contribute to clear understanding of the play and its major messages. The point is that the director succeeded in arranging the set of events from the perspective of gradual bringing up the audience to the final judgment with regards to the highlighted case.

Analyzing the acting elements, it is necessary to make mention that the cast features more than 20 professional actors; each person demonstrated decent proficiency level within the area of performing the roles. I must admit that practically all the actors appeared to experience their heroes; as a result, the viewing was deprived of some negative comments. In my view, Raul Cardona, a personage portrayed as Henry’s alter ego, proved to be one of the brightest figures during this performance. Cardona appeared to have charismatic and rebellious nature. Apart from Cardona, I would like to draw attention to Henry’s attorney and Alice Bloomfield who was a journalist. It is worth saying that all the abovementioned heroes are characterized by having an unusual temper, making them truthful and unforgettable. The character believability is beyond any doubts intrinsic to each actor of the play Zoot Suit. The thing is that the shift of focus to the character development appeals to the audience in a way that they get engaged in the reality of the ensuing circumstances. Some critics might say that the given play lacks special effects that most of the recent plays are characterised by; all in all, it is high time to make an emphasis on acting.

Contemplating upon the special features of the play Zoot Suit, one cannot skip with its technical elements. Among the set design as well as lighting and music design, I would draw special attention to lighting design of the play. The thing is that lighting lies in bringing all the components such as, for instance, music, sound, and costumes. Obviously, make-up, characteristic of Latinos and African Americans who lived in Los Angeles of the last half century and hair design with the women’s wigs and human moustaches complete the overall artistic composition. One cannot but take notice of the slang that the actors utilized during the performance; apparently, the way they socialized shifted me back in time. It is important to notice that a play cannot count on the viewers’ fantasy, and technical elements serve as the additional impulse to alter the feel of the performance.

Conclusion

Zoos Suit appeared as a consequence of the Zoot Suit Riots that overwhelmed Los Angeles in 1943. Inspired by numerous sensationalistic reports in mass media, the crowds of soldiers and sailors were involved in running street fights with local Mexican-American gangs. It is important to mention that the Zoos Suit is mainly grounded on the Sleepy Lagoon murder; the play dramatizes Henry Leyvas’ case (Henry Reina in this play); this man was a zoot suit-wearing mechanical engineer charged with the rest 21 Latinos in supposedly killing a farmer. Obviously, the discussion play is worthy of notice, since it communicates quite a sore subject; racial discrimination and governmental assisting the racism should remain in the past. It is important to become aware that mass media often puts the wool over the eyes of people in order to succeed in implementing procedures for anti-minorities campaign. To conclude, it is worth admitting that the play Zoot Suit visually describes the trials that mainly Latinos and African Americans were forced to pass due to supposedly unpatriotic oversized clothes. However, apart from so-called unpatriotic wearing, Americans manifested their racial prejudice.