Multicultural holiday show coming to Queens Theatre
BY TAMMY SCILEPPI
There are swirling skirts and
black sombreros, life-size nutcrackers,
amazing dancers, and traditional
holiday music spiked with spicy
Mexican sounds.
Get a taste of the color, warmth
and vibrancy of Mexico when the
electrifying Calpulli Mexican Dance
Company debuts their spectacular
holiday show “Navidad: A Mexican-
American Christmas,” at Queens
Theatre (Flushing Meadows-Corona
Park) on Saturday, Dec. 14, and Sunday,
Dec. 15.
“Calpulli’s shows are always
gorgeous, vibrant and joyous. I am
looking forward to seeing families –
grandparents, parents, kids – come
to experience this special show together.
They’re going to absolutely
love it,” said Queens Theatre’s Executive
Director Taryn Sacramone.
Celebrating the holiday traditions
of Mexico and the United States, this
multi-cultural production touches
on the uniqueness of the immigrant
experience through the story of a
young New Yorker of Mexican immigrant
parents, who is caught between
two worlds and cultures: the
family’s roots and their present-day
lives here in Nueva York.
Mexican-American Broadway
star Gabriela Garcia joins the production
as Dramaturg, thanks to
Artistic Director Alberto Lopez
Herrera, bringing her experience in
storytelling and love of her culture,
to the production.
The young protagonist and her
parents in the story are all Queensbased
artists.
“Audiences will see how someone
born in the USA may experience
their parent’s seemingly foreign culture
and can be torn about their own
cultural identity. That is, until they
discover that these qualities make
them stronger,” said Herrera.
“We are so excited to show the traditions
of Mexico, like posadas and
villancicos, as well as popular holiday
music from the USA and dances
inspired by the famous ‘Nutcracker,’”
he continued. “We love seeing
audiences’ reactions when they see
the way we blend these influences
together in our world of fantasy.”
Enjoy eye-catching costumes, Aztec
inspired dances set to Christmas
carols, and Mariachi music fused
with “Dance of the Sugar Plum
Fairy,” as the youngster tries to
bridge both cultures in her special
dream.
“Calpulli’s stories are told
The show embraces Christmas traditions from both sides of the Rio Grande.
Courtesy of Julieta Cervantes
through dance and music and have
always dealt with love,” shared Co-
Founder & Executive Director Juan
Castaño. “’Navidad’ is no different,
but it tells of love for family, for the
multi-faceted influences around us,
and for oneself.”
“It is so inspiring to have the
background of our home in Queens
as the backdrop to the story,” he added.
“The fusion of classic Christmas
traditions and Aztec-inspired movement
truly make this not only a New
York story but a Queens story reflecting
the immigrant experience.”
Performances are Saturday, Dec.
14, at 2 and 8 p.m., and Sunday, Dec.
15, at 1 and 5 p.m.
For more information or to purchase
tickets, call (718) 760-0064 or
visit www.queenstheatre.org/navidad
mexican-american-christmas.
Tues. & Wed. $1895
1 1/4 lb. Lobster, Clams, and Mussels
Served with Corn on the Cob
and Baked Potato
with Purchase of 2 Cocktails,
2 Wines or 2 Beers
TIMESLEDGER,36 NOV. 22-28, 2019 QNS.COM
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