Classic Comedy ‘Pedra’s Pecado’ Opens Dec. 8 at the Guadalupe Theater
The Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center Theater Arts Program is proud to present the Chicano classic comedy, Petra’s Pecado, written by Rupert Reyes and directed by Rodney Garza. Petra’s Pecado is scheduled for six performances at the historic Guadalupe Theater from Dec. 8-17. Friday and Saturday showtimes are 8:00 p.m., with Sunday matinees at 3:00 p.m.
In the rural town of Las Flores, Texas, Petra Dominguez’s small tortilla factory is threatened by uber-competitive businesswoman Tina Tamayo and her repeated, underhanded efforts to run Petra out of business. To boost morale, Petra decides to take advantage of a one-month free cable offer for the employee break room, only to stumble onto an X-rated site she feels she must seek confession for. When the priest hears Petra’s confession, he sees an opportunity to combine her penance with a scheme to increase participation at the church.
For her penance, Petra must direct the annual play commemorating the appearance of La Virgen de Guadalupe to Juan Diego. Having directed the play for years, Tina Tamayo hates the change and sees this as a personal cross she refuses to bear. Petra’s inexperience, mixed with the loyalty of her senior citizen friends and Tina’s mischief, leads to almost certain disaster. Through a series of “miracles” Petra and her friends begin to find strength in themselves and each other. Who will triumph in the end?
“We, the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center, premiered Rupert Reyes’ Petra’s Pecado in the fall of 1995 to sold-out performances,” said Jorge Piña, GCAC Theater Arts Program Director. “It was such a big hit for us and the community that we presented this comedy as ‘Back-By-Popular-Demand’ the following March to nineteen sold-out performances.” Petra’s Pecado has now become a Chicano classic comedy that has been presented at numerous theater companies throughout the country and has a special meaning during the Christmas Holidays, especially during Día de la Virgen de Guadalupe on December 12th.
Director Rodney Garza says of the show, “It feels like I’m returning to the GCAC for a family reunion. Not only do I get to work again with some of the original creatives from 1995-96, but I also get to work with long-time San Antonio friends who are new to this production. And as a bonus, I get to revisit with Rupert’s wonderful characters from Las Flores, which have become like ‘familia’ to me from the years of working on Petra’s productions. I hope this reunion also extends to those audience members who have requested Petra’s return.”
Tickets for Petra’s Pecado are $15 for general admission and are available at www.guadalupeculturalarts.org or by calling 210-271-3151, ext. 250. Patrons can also visit the Guadalupe Latino Bookstore, 1300 Guadalupe St., Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm to purchase tickets.
This event is sponsored by the City of San Antonio Department of Arts & Culture, a generous grant from the National Latinx Theater Initiative. A reception honoring the playwright and director will follow the Sunday, Dec. 10th performance and is sponsored by Trinity University.
Petra’s Pecado Performance Times
Dec. 8 and 9 at 8:00 p.m.
Dec. 10 at 3:00 p.m.
Dec. 15 and 16 a 8:00 p.m.
Dec. 17 at 3:00 p.m.
Ticket Prices
General Admission $15
Students with ID’s $10
Senior Citizens $10
Photos courtesy Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center Theater Arts Program.
