SAN CLEMENTE : Cristianita Pageant to Be Resurrected

After nearly calling it quits, the La Cristianita Pageant Assn. stands ready to resume production of its once-popular historical play based on the first baptism in California.

The nonprofit association, beleaguered in recent years by property tax problems and vandalism of stage props, was forced this summer to sell its 60-acre amphitheater in a rustic canyon off Camino de los Mares to Darrel Spence of Estrella Properties Ltd., who originally donated the land to the association in 1974.

But with money from the sale and a new partnership with Mission San Juan Capistrano, pageant members say they are ready to bring the play back to life.

After the Swallow’s Day Parade in San Juan Capistrano on March 20, the pageant will present excerpts from “La Cristianita” (“The Little Christian”) during a 90-minute outdoor performance at Mission San Juan Capistrano.

The performance will serve as a prelude to a series of full-scale performances at the mission in July.