South Pasadena resident Hector Rodriguez directs: ‘I don’t have to show you no stinking badges’

“I Don’t Have To Show You No Stinking Badges” received its World Premiere in 1986 at the Los Angeles Theatre Center. Subsequent productions of the play have been mounted at: San Diego Repertory in 1987; the Burt Reynolds Jupiter Theatre in Florida in 1988; El Teatro Campesino Playhouse in San Juan Bautista, CA in 1990; Marines Memorial Theater in San Francisco in 1990; Sacramento State University in the 1993-1994 season; River Stage at Cosumnes River College in Sacramento in the 1998-1999 season; San Jose State University in the 2000-2001 season; El Teatro Campesino Playhouse in San Juan Bautista, CA in 2003; Su Teatro in Denver, CO from February 17, 2007 – March 24, 2007 and now Casa 0101 Theater in Los Angeles in 2013.
The director of the production, Hector Rodriguez said: “I am excited and humbled to be part of this important play that is still relevant today in examining the images of Latinos in Hollywood and exposing how some things have changed and others have stayed the same.”
Casa 0101 Theater Artistic Director, Josefina López said: “‘I Don’t Have to Show You No Stinking Badges’ was the play that opened my eyes to the incredible injustice of stereotyping the Latino community and its impact on how we perceive reality. Right after I saw it I decided to devote my life to being a writer so I could tell the truth about all the lies told about Latinos and Latinas. I was so inspired by that play and I am saddened to see Latino stereotypes still persist in the U.S. especially on television and film.”
The play is set in the Monterey Park area of Greater Los Angeles in 1985 examines cultural stereotypes and prejudices, when Sonny Villa, a bright teenaged Chicano Harvard Pre-Law student, unexpectedly returns home to his showbiz parents in Monterey Park with an older Asian-American woman he met on the road to make an important announcement. The running time of the play is 120 minutes.”
Performances are being given on Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. and on Sundays at 5:00 p.m. thru March 10, 2013.
Ticket prices for performances are $20 per person for General Admission; $17 per person for Seniors; and $15 per person for Students/Boyle Heights residents. Discounts for Groups are also available. Advance reservations are highly recommended. Theatre patrons can get a $2 discount by presenting their Metro Bus Cards at the Box Office when buying tickets. Metro bus stations are located on First Street in Boyle Heights at both Soto Street, and at Boyle Street (Mariachi Plaza), within a short walking distance to the theatre. For tickets, please call the Casa 0101 Theater Box Office at 323-263-7684, E-mail tickets@casa0101.org, or buy online at www.casa0101.org. To view a YouTube of performance footage of the play, please visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJ1LYEMEzxg.
The United States government mandated the use of the terms “Hispanic” or “Latino” to categorize Americans who trace their roots to Spanish-speaking countries, which has been met with some opposition. The terms have been met with opposition and have been challenged by individuals, groups and communities in academia, and social political circles. Casa 0101 Theater’s production of Luis Valdez’s play, “I Don’t Need To Show You No Stinking Badges” both explore issues of the Latino voice and identity, during the Chicano movement in East Los Angeles.

-Photo by Ed Kreiger

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