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Plays Images #1 and 2:
Historic Postcard of Padua Hills Theatre Stage about 1960
Photo attributed to Irene Welch Garner
Los californios® Collection
Members of The Mexican Players - Left to right (Please Help Identify these members):
#1 _____, #2 _____, #3 _____, #4 _____, #5 _____, #6 _____, #7 Rogelio Alfaro,
#8 _____, #9 _____, #10 _____, #11 _____, #12 _____, #13 _____
The description on the back of this postcard reads: “The Mexican
Players in a scene from a comedy of the state of Michoacan in Mexico. The sets, the costumes,
the music and the dances are always authentic for the region represented. Whether in Spanish
or English the plays are written for, and are easily understood by English speaking audiences.”
Front of Program for
It Rained in Ixtlan del Río,
performed January 8 to February 20, 1937.
It Rained in Ixtlan del Río
A two-act play performed by The Mexican Players.
This play was also performed in 1936.
Los californios® Collection
Flyer for De la obscuridad,
performed September 13 to October 21, 1940.
This flyer characterizes the play as “The dramatic story of
a brother’s valiant sacrifice.”
Los californios® Collection
Flyer for Celaya Stop,
performed July 24 to August 31, 1946.
Celaya Stop — “A comedy of a Mexican Railway Station.” This
play was also performed in 1947.
Los californios® Collection
Program for Vote por la Reina,
performed August 18 to October 2, 1948.
Los californios® Collection
Note that Jesse Ruíz is in this production in the character of Chon.
Through much of the 1990s Jesse was still directing and producing the Padua Hills version of the Posadas
in San Diego, California: in Old Town, at churches, and at Sherman Heights Community Center — with Los
californios® playing the music as remembered by Jesse.
Click here for more about the Padua Hills annual productions of the pastorela,
“Las posadas.”
Back of Program
Program for Festivales,
performed October 18 to November 25, 1950.
Los californios® Collection
The “Festivales” program provided a venue to showcase songs and dances from
various areas in Mexico. This program was repeated on a regular basis, including in 1947, 1948, 1951, 1956 and 1957.
For a picture of the cast for this performance, please see the lead picture on the
Padua Hills Theatre Home Page.
Plays Images #12 & 13
Historical photograph by Irene Welch Garner
Alfaro Family Collection
Subject matter experts visited Padua Hills Theatre to bring authentic dances, music and
costuming for programs. This artist came in preparation for the Festivales program in 1950.
Flyer for Margarita,
January 10 to February 17, 1951.
“A comedy of a girl, two suitors, and three fiestas . . the Day of the
Three Kings, Candelaria, and Carnival.”
Los californios® Collection
Many productions included educational components about Mexican culture.
Flyer for 16 de Septiembre,
performed August 13 to August 31 and October 1 to October 11, 1952.
Los californios® Collection
Program for 16 de Septiembre
Los californios® Collection
Plays featuring pride in their Mexican history and heritage were a staple of
The Mexican Player’s repertoire. Also note the annotation on the front of the program that this
is the group’s 166th production.
Note that Hilda Ramírez de Jara wrote, directed and performed in this production.
Flyer for Viva la fiesta
performed October 15 to November 22, 1952.
“Mexico pictured through its celebrations, songs and dances.”
Los californios® Collection
Flyer for Cielo mexicano,
performed July 27 to September 17, 1955.
“Mexican skies. If you are Mexican ... take pride in it.”
Los californios® Collection
Flyer for Las Canacuas
performed January 13 to February 27, 1960.
“A comedy of romantic Michoacan” — performed by
The Mexican Players. Las Canacuas was also performed in 1935, 1940, 1941, 1956 and 1958.
Los californios® Collection
Flyer for Veracruz,
performed June 8 to July 23, 1960.
“Veracruz: Life, Love and Music of a Tropical Village”
Los californios® Collection
San Miguel and the Hermit:
Coloquio in “Carnaval de Veracruz”,
performed July 26 to September 9, 1961.
Image #25
Historical photograph by Irene Welch Garner
Alfaro Family Collection
Characters and their costumes might appear in multiple productions — like
this example of San Miguel and the hermit showing up outside of Las Posadas.
Image #26
Historical photograph by Irene Welch Garner
Alfaro Family Collection
A Scene on Stage — performed by The Mexican Players
Do you recognize these plays or the performers? If so, please let us
know so we can add that information to this site.
Image #27
Historical photograph by Irene Welch Garner
Alfaro Family Collection
A Scene on Stage — performed by The Mexican Players
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