Una Noche Buena
by Zach Theatre
Dec. 09 - Dec. 16, 2023
Saturday
On the last night of Las Posadas, a 10-year-old boy has been brought into a new family of Los Cantantes full of big personalities, loud voices, and blended holiday traditions. Una Noche Buena is a new holiday story about family, community, and acceptance!
Age recommendation: Five and up.
Run time: Approximately 45 minutes with no intermission
Review by Lynn Beaver, Austin Broadway World, December 17, 2023
ZACH Theatre’s Family Series brings Una Noche Buena, a new multicultural holiday production to delight all ages and soon to be a holiday favorite for the entire family. In addition to two public performances, Una Noche Buena will play weekdays, December 1–15 for almost 100 schools across Central Texas.
"ZACH's family series has had a long history and commitment to bilingual programming and telling stories that represent the many Latinx students who come see our shows, said Co-Director and ZACH Director of Youth Programming, Nat Miller. “Last year I was at Wooten Elementary and saw a wall display about Las Posadas that focused on what the holidays meant to the students and their families. I realized how important it would be for us to develop a holiday show around this event, especially one we can bring back in the future like we do for Holiday Heroes and A Christmas Carol. I am very proud to collaborate with this excellent creative team to explore themes of the holidays and family that over 7,000 students will come see."
Playing multiple roles, the cast of three is MICHAEL GALVAN as Actor 1, KENNEDY THOMPSON as Actor 2, and PAUL SANCHEZ as Actor 3.
Co-Director Michelle Gomez added, "I am honored to be part of a team dedicated to bringing Latinx stories to the stage. As a Mexican American woman, I spent my winters with my family in border towns of Mexico attending Tamalada(s) with mi abuelita and mi madre, singing the songs con mi papa y mis tios, breaking piñatas, opening presents on Christmas Eve versus Christmas day. It's exciting to share these stories and this vibrant culture on the stage of ZACH Theatre. I look forward to being involved with more bilingual work going forward."
Una Noche Buena is written by JESUS VALLES with music and lyrics by PAUL SANCHEZ. Co-directed by NAT MILLER and MICHELLE GOMEZ, additional production team includes CHASE BREWER as properties designer, LUIS ORDAZ GUTIERREZ as costume designer, JACOB ZAMARRIPA as lighting designer, PETE MARTINEZ as sound designer, and GABBY CARNEY as stage manager.
Special Events in celebration of Una Noche Buena:
- Pay What You Will Week – Saturday, December 9, 2023 at 11 am
- ASL Performance – Saturday, December 9, 2023 at 11 am
Una Noche Buena
by Jesús I. Valles, Paul Sanchez
Zach Theatre
December 09 - December 16, 2023
December 9 and 16, 2023 at 11 am
The Topfer at ZACH | 202 South Lamar | Austin, TX | 78704
Tickets: Start at $13 (Youth) and $18 (Adults) available at ZACH’s box office – 512-476-0541 x1, zachtheatre.org
