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Zoot Suit

By Luis Valdez

Los Angeles, 1942. The United States has entered World War II, and the patriotic spirit is running high. At the same time, racial tension in L.A. are boiling over, aggravated by the biased racism of the news media that has branded young Mexican-American men, dressed in zoot suits and the pachuco style, as criminals, thugs, and an infestation. Within this turmoil, Henry Reyna, the leader of the 38th Street Gang, is accused of murder. He and his co-defendants are set up to lose the trial, and while volunteers ardently work to overturn his conviction, Henry begins to lose hope. At the same time, the historic Zoot Suit Riots explode, where U.S. servicemen stripped young Mexican-Americans and burned their clothes in the street. If Henry is ever released, what kind of world will this young pachuco live in?

About Playwright(s)

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Female roles

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Production and Publication

First produced

1978, Mark Taper Forum, Los Angeles

Publication year

1992

Published by

Arte Publico Press

ISBN

9781558850484

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