SAN MARCOS — Palomar’s Performing Arts Department brings “Pastorela Fronteriza” to the Howard Brubeck Theater from Dec. 5-14. The first show is set to start Friday at 7:30 p.m. and runs until 8:30 p.m. This will mark the first-ever production of “Pastorela Fronteriza” here at Palomar.
Written by Carlos Morton and directed by Alejandro Moreno, “Pastorela Fronteriza” is a bilingual play that focuses on ancient Mexican tradition. It became popular in Mexican and broader Hispanic culture as a way to teach Christianity.
The story follows shepherds on their spiritual journey to see the newborn Jesus Christ, which took place Dec. 25, reimagined as taking place along the “U.S.-Mexico border.”
During their journey, the shepherds encounter a variety of “devilish temptations” and need to remain resilient to stay on their sacred path. The play remains authentic to the original, but has been somewhat modified to reflect the modern-day temptations people find themselves fighting.
The Performing Arts Department added two dance numbers and fight scenes to the play, which are not in the original script. The musical pieces in this play have been carefully chosen to create a specific mood for each character.
“Overall, in the show, the demons have the bigger and noisier numbers, using much more effects and lights … in contrast, our heroes’ solo number begins with an a cappella and has a fairly minor backing for the rest of it,” Music Director Exia Albistegui-Dubois said. “This was an intentional choice to demonstrate how the forces of hell rely on glamor and pizzazz, but the humble pastors have their pure connection to God.”
Actors say they are mentally and emotionally preparing to take on their roles; a good show requires actors to be fully engaged and comfortable with their characters.
To prepare himself for the play, actor Yordi Refugio thought about the people in his life to form an emotional connection to his character, Elias.
“My parents were born in Mexico and came to America to give my generation a better life, like many other people who come to America … To emotionally and mentally prepare for this role, I think about people like my dad,” Refugio said.
For more information and tickets, check out the Palomar Performing Arts website.