San Antonio’s Magik Theatre features an impressive children’s play that everyone can enjoy – The Magical Piñata. The play is a celebration of cultural pride and the power of sharing and incorporates beautiful music directed by Gino Rivera, founding member and director of Mariachi Azteca De America, with Oscar Garza, Jr. and Vincent Pequeño. The play features a colorful set and striking costumes uniquely created for this production.
Adventure awaits when a seemingly plain clay pot magically transports Cucha, a selfish and lonely girl from her hometown of Zapoteco, Mexico, to a mysterious jungle filled with eccentric characters. Using her knowledge of both English and Spanish, Cucha encounters Parrot Rivera, a jungle muralist who paints the future; Señor Chapulin, a soccer star with the heart of the present; and Burro Burrito, a farmer who plows through the past. Through Cucha’s journey, she discovers the magic of the mundane, the roots of cultural pride, and the power of sharing.
‘There is nothing like a fiesta in Mexico,’ sets the scene for the adventures that unravel in The Magical Piñata. “What makes this beautiful cultural story feel like home is the live Mariachi music, the incorporation of Spanish expression, and the importance of traditions,” says JoJanie Moreno, Director of The Magical Piñata and Education Director at The Magik Theatre. “Set in a mysterious jungle reminiscent of Alice in Wonderland, this show will tap into the audience’s imaginations while teaching real world lessons.”
The Magical Piñata runs at The Magik Theatre from January 23, 2020 to February 15, 2020. Based on the book by Karen Zacarias and music by Deborah Wicks La Puma. The Magical Piñata is sponsored by the Martha-Ellen Tye Foundation. For tickets, visit MagikTheatre.org or call the box office at 210.227.2751. Tickets start at $15 with discounts available for students, seniors, military and educators.
This play is imaginative and fun and showcases the talents of some of the best musicians in San Antonio. The Magik Theatre has done an excellent job in the past couple of years in presenting culturally relevant programming that appeals to the Latino market. They’ve done this quite well by incorporating mariachi music with Mariachi Girl, which they presented last year, and now The Magik Piñata. Although I was born and raised in San Antonio, and have lived here all of my life, it wasn’t until The Magik Theatre presented Mariachi Girl last year that made me feel welcomed and gave me a reason to attend. Now I’m hooked. The Magik Theatre sets a high standard for performance in the quality of their productions and the actors/actresses. Kudos to Gino Rivera for his work with the Magik Piñata and the many folks involved in putting this outstanding children’s play together. Gino not only leads the mariachi group but also contributes to the play as an actor. It’s great fun to see how professional mariachi musicians and vocalist are growing into roles and expanding their talents. I’m so looking forward to seeing what lies ahead at The Magik Theatre and plans for future productions that appeal to Hispanic audiences.
The Magik Theatre’s mission is to use the power of theatre to create Magikal storytelling for children that Activates imagination, Grows young minds, and Inspires creativity and a love of learning that is the Key to a more literate future for our community. Magik’s 2019 – 2020 season is sponsored by H-E-B, with Accessibility performances sponsored by University Health System. For more information, visit MagikTheatre.org.
