LOS ANGELES MISSION COLLEGE THEATRE ARTS
Bringing professional theatre training and productions to Los Angeles's Northeast Valley since 2015
Zoot Suit
May 15-31, 2026
Los Angeles Mission College is thrilled to announce Zoot Suit, Luis Valdez’s groundbreaking musical, as our Spring 2026 Theatre Arts production. Zoot Suit, the ultimate Los Angeles theatrical experience, will light up the AMP Theater to celebrate ten years of outstanding theatre arts at LA Mission College.
Zoot Suit will be presented in the LA Mission College AMP Theater from May 15-31. Tickets range from $10-25 and go on sale on March 16, 2026.
In 1978, Zoot Suit packed the Mark Taper Forum for eleven months before becoming the first Chicano play on Broadway and a major motion picture. An equally popular revival rocked the Taper again in 2017. Now, LA Mission College Theatre has gathered a company of over fifty students, faculty, staff, and guest artists to bring Valdez’s essential and urgent American tale to life. New faculty member Raúl Cardona leads a cast of 25 as the mythological figure El Pachuco, a role he has played at the Taper and El Teatro Campesino under the direction of Luis Valdez, and at major theaters across the Southwest. Additional guest artists bring a wealth of Chicano theatre experience to our community including Cristina Frías (ELAC faculty), Laurie Muñiz (choreographer), and LA Mission and CSUN theatre alum Ana Trinity Medina (Chavez Ravine).
Luis Valdez’s Zoot Suit weaves together fact and fiction to portray the events surrounding the infamous 1942 Sleepy Lagoon murder trial and the ensuing Zoot Suit riots. With a musical score that features original songs by Lalo Guerrero, pachuco style and slang, explosive swing dance numbers, costumes from the 2017 Taper revival, and a design that fuses indigenous culture and the 1940s, LA Mission College’s Zoot Suit taps into the roots of the Northeast San Fernando Valley, bringing to life the urgent cultural and political clashes that continue to shape our city in 2026.
Zoot Suit is presented in association with El Teatro Campesino.
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Friday May 15, 7:00 pm
Saturday May 16, 7:00 pm
Thursday May 21, 7:00 pm
Friday May 22, 7:00 pm
Saturday May 23, 1:00 pm and 7:00 pm
Sunday May 24, 1:00 pm
Thursday May 28, 7:00 pm
Friday May 29, 7:00 pm
Saturday May 30, 1:00 pm and 7:00 pm
Sunday May 31, 1:00 pm​​
ZOOT SUIT
By Luis Valdez
Original music by Lalo Guerrero​​​​​
Directed by Robert Cucuzza and Raúl Cardona
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CAST
Raúl Cardona* as El Pachuco
Carlos Daniel Esquivel as Henry Reyna
Javier Guardado as Enrique Reyna
Cristina Frías* as Dolores Reyna
Ana Trinidad Medina* as Dolores Reyna
Natalie Patino as Lupe Reyna
Giovanny Benavente as Rudy Reyna
Damilola Makinde as George Sherer
Debby Hirschmann as Alice Bloomfield
Dreya Félix-González as Della Barrios
Brent Shewfelt as Smiley Torres​
Allison Orantes-Gonzalez as Joey Castro
Kevin Khussainov as Tommy Roberts
Ceelo Rodriguez as El Pachuco Shadow
with
Monique Millicent as Elena Torres and others
Diana Carolina Jimenez as Bertha Villareal and othera
Kevin Hernandez Diaz as Rafas and others
Gerardo Vergara Sanchez as Judge and others
Sel Prado as Cub Reporter and others
Emmanuel Gonzalez as Lt. Edwards and others
Edward Styles Gallego as Sgt. Smith and others
Janelle Vargas Navarrete as The Press
Gabby Campos as Manchuka and others
Hector Ruelas Sanchez* as Swabbie and others
Joaquin Gamboa* as Hobo and others​
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CREATIVE
SCENIC AND PROPS DESIGNER
Dorothy Hoover
LIGHTING DESIGNER
Bri Pattillo
COSTUME DESIGNER
Lena Sands
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CHOREOGRAPHER
Laurie Muñiz*
PRODUCTION
PRODUCER Robert Cucuzza
ASSOCIATE PRODUCER Lauren Anderson-Llewellyn
ASSISTANT PRODUCER Destiny Cable
FIGHT DIRECTOR Edgar Landa*
VOCAL DIRECTOR Ryan Espinosa
PRODUCTION MANAGER/TECHNICAL DIRECTOR K. Aaron Blokker
STAGE MANAGER Ali Barrera
ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER Isaiah Garcia
ASSOCIATE COSTUME DESIGNER Ashley Snyder
COSTUME SUPERVISOR Kitty Murphy-Youngs*
COSTUME TEAM Diana Martinez
SCENIC PAINTER JessieAnna Wilton*
PROPS ARTISAN Danielle Johnson
INTIMACY DIRECTOR Mary Zastrow*
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR Ana Borrego
DRAMATURGS Ana Borrego/David Carrera
BUILD TEAM Nikki Arcega, Alejandra Valenzuela, Juliana Garcia, Julian Casarez, Issa Kelly
SOCIAL MEDIA DIRECTOR Yazlin Juarez*
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* Guest Artist
Information about seeing ZOOT SUIT
DURATION
The show is approximately two hours including one intermission.
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AGE ADVISORY
Unless specified as “children’s theatre,” which this show is definitely not, kids under ten are generally too restless and unpredictable to attend. No matter how fun you think it may be for your toddler, they will get restless and make sudden sounds and movements that are distracting to both the actors and audience.
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PLEASE ARRIVE AHEAD OF TIME
We start our shows on time. Entering the theater after the show has begun can disturb both the audience and actors. Make sure that you arrive at the box office no later than 15 minutes before show time.
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TRAFFIC ADVISORY
If you are attending a Thursday or Friday performance, we strongly urge you to leave extra time to arrive before showtime. There is often excessive traffic on both freeways and local roads on those days.
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LOCATION ADDRESS
Los Angeles Mission College
13356 Eldridge Avenue
Sylmar, CA 91342
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THE AMP THEATER
The AMP Theater is located in the Arts, Media & Performance building, next to the parking structure.
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PARKING
Free of charge, in the parking structure or on Eldridge Street.
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BOX OFFICE
The box office opens one hour before show time.
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CONCESSIONS, FOOD, AND DRINK
There are no concessions sold at our performances. No food or drink is allowed in the theater, as it can create a distraction for the actors and audience.
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CELL PHONES, PICTURES AND VIDEOS
Cell phone usage of any kind is absolutely prohibited during the show. The light from screens is distracting not only for your neighbors, but especially for the actors. Photographs or video recordings of the show are also prohibited.
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