“Translating Selena” is an examination of many things, a by the book procedural in drag. Which book we refer to will stay purposely blurred: the Selena Song Book or the Selena Murder Book?”, says Playwright Richard Montoya. “With Campo Santo, we obliterate the walls of conformity and gender norms for fun and deadly seriousness. How else can we grapple with a superstar who pushed boundaries of musical styles and her own sexuality?”
Legendary Playwright, Richard Montoya’s “Translating Selena” is a measurement of things, of long highways and distances between motel rooms and motel lobbies where heroines bleed out following senseless murders, and a haunting assessments of why we kill the things we love. The show is a measure of loss and yearning of a talent cut down in South Texas by yet another senseless act involving gun violence, examinig the warmth and artistic relationship between the Tejana popstar and the Transgender community who took to Selena and saw in her something of themselves.
“Translating Selena” makes its theatrical debut Jan 29th - Feb 2nd at San Francisco’s Brava Cabaret Theater, produced by The Living Word Project in association with famed theater group Campo Santo. Directed by Sean San José, the show features Richard Montoya, Marga Gomez, Brian Rivera, and Per Sia. The performances are earnest, playful and striking featuring a supportive cast of younger SF actors (Jordan Maria Don and Guillermo “Yiyo” Ornelas). The production features video design by Joan Osato; scenic design by Tanya Orellana; sound and score by Christopher Sauceda, costume design by Kyo Yohena; lighting design by Alejandro Acosta; and properties design by Brittany White. Collaborative Design team includes: Dr. J Berumen, Logan Moody, Ashley Smiley.
“Translating Selena” is a humble retelling of life in Corpus Cristi, Texas, where in the same week that Selena’s life was taken, homicides of a cisgender woman and transwoman stained this small, working class suburb. Montoya attempts to draw a line between the lives of these three women; measuring the weight of the lives lived and stories brought to an unceremonious end, of defiant dignity and glory. The result is unique storytelling at it’s finest, an invitation to consider the weight of loss of those left behind, loving, yearning and measuring space.
From creator Richard Montoya: “Translating is my third Campo Santo play, they keep getting more complex and it’s one of the few places in the U.S. where playwrights can explore and be produced and directed with amazing actors and designers. I am thrilled to return to the director/producer super team of San José & Osato! “Selena” is a return to the scene of many crimes: Culture Clash was born one block from BRAVA where it all started with the amazing Marga Gomez & Rene Yanez in 1984! Selena is a measure of loss and our yearning of a talent cut down in South Texas by yet another senseless act involving gun violence. We examine the warmth and artistic relationship between the Tejana Star and the Transgender Community who took to Selena and saw in her something of themselves... With Campo Santo we obliterate the walls of conformity and gender norms for fun and deadly seriousness... How else can we grapple with a super star who pushed boundaries of musical styles and her own sexuality…”