A Hot Time Boosts SCR’s Outreach to Latinos

Five hundred party-goers celebrated the richness of Latino culture with a night of biting comedy, hot jazz and Mexican food at Saturday’s Una Noche del Teatro benefit.

The fourth annual fund-raiser, held at the South Coast Repertory in Costa Mesa, was called “Comedia Esta Noche” and presented by the Friends of SCR--Nuestro Teatro. The $25-per-person benefit raised about $20,000 for the theater’s Latino playwright and neighborhood outreach programs.

Raising Their Voices

“This is a chance to look at our heritage with pride,” said Barbara Ledesma Brown, Nuestro Teatro chairwoman and SCR trustee. “SCR is trying to broaden its outreach into the community. We want Hispanic people to come to the theater and say, ‘There’s something here for me.’ ”

There was, indeed, something for everyone that evening.

At a reception in front of the theater, guests lined up for a buffet of rice, chicken and steak tacos and stuffed chili peppers from Taco Mesa. Mexican hot chocolate and desserts were served later at a post-performance party.

Highlighting the evening was a two-hour showcase of Latino talent.

“This evening is about letting ourselves be known,” said Ricardo Montalban, who served as emcee of the evening with Ada Maris and Tony Plana.

New Roles for Latinos

Three Latino comedy groups--Chicano Secret Service, Culture Clash and Latins Anonymous--delivered satirical skits about adapting to American culture.

“There’s nothing out there in the media representing the (Latino) community,” said Luisa Leschin, a performer with Latins Anonymous. “The roles on TV portray us as drug lords or gardeners.”

“We deal with subjects outside of stereotypes,” said Armando Molina, a Latins Anonymous member who spoofed television coffee pitchman Juan Valdez during the show.

Rounding out the program with Latin jazz was Minimum 3, featuring fluegelhornist Tony Guerrero and Marcos Loya, guitarist and bandleader for “The Paul Rodriguez Show.”

Artists Wanted

Proceeds will go to the Neighborhood Conservatory, which sends faculty members from SCR’s creative dramatics programs into communities hardest hit by the withdrawal of arts programs in schools. Also benefiting will be the Hispanic Playwrights Project, which works with Latino writers in developing and performing their works.

“The project has helped us become more aware of the talented artists who are out there,” said David Emmes, artistic director of SCR.

Among the guests were Socorro Vasquez, chairwoman of the evening, and her husband, Ernesto; Leonardo Flores Jr.; Richard Jones; Carolina Macias; Christine Mendivil-Knapp; Florinda Mintz; Judge Frances Munoz; Lola Romero-Seymour; Genevieve Southgate; Ruben Valdillez of Mazda Motor of America (the event’s honorary producer); Glenn and Lois Moyer; Peter Nordstrom; Ana Laura Rosandich; Al Amezcua; Frank Dominguez; Jess Araujo; Fred Barrera, vice mayor of Orange; Tom and Barbara Peckenpaugh; Phil and Peggy Martin.