Los Angeles, CA—Reaching its closing weekend this past Sunday, Boyle Heights is the last play that celebrates CASA 0101’s quinceañera—15th anniversary year in existence.
Boyle Heights, written by Josefina Lopez (the genius who wrote Real Women Have Curves) and directed by Edward Padilla is a story that reflects life for those who were born and raised in Boyle Heights as well as the surrounding communities. It is particularly about Dalia, a 26-year-old educated UCLA graduate, poet, and daydreamer who is at a crossroads in her life as she tries to find meaning and hope to start her own career. Dalia wants to discover her individual, unique place in the world yet feels held back by her old fashioned Mexican parents whose only concerns are that she will not get married and have a family. Dalia What seems like a traditional story of a Chicano family trying to find financial relief, Boyle Heights inspires audiences of all ethnicities because it breaks stereotypes and reminds Angelenos of the history behind the famed city. Playwright Lopez showcases her hysterical Mexican wit as she writes jokes here and there that adds bits of comedy to relieve tension of the topic.
For Josefina Lopez, Boyle Heights is written about her own memory—a play about her own story living in Los Angeles as she struggled to find sanctuary in a time of desperation and need. In the playbill, Lopez remarks that there is no place like home: Boyle Heights became her resource and her community.
CASA 0101, was founded by Josefina Lopez with a profound idea in mind: she wanted to establish a theater company dedicated to providing vital arts, cultural, and educational programs. It is definitely safe to say that CASA 0101 has had wonderful success over the past 15 years. The mission is to bring theater, digital filmmaking, art and dance to Boyle Heights and the neighboring cities has never seemed so present until now.
To learn more about CASA 0101 and their upcoming projects, visit their website at http://www.casa0101.org/
