Zoot Suit (Library Edition Audio CDs)

by Luis Valdez, Cardona, Gregory Itzin (Performed by)

Chicano playwright Luis Valdez masterfully uses the Sleepy Lagoon murder case to examine the Chicano Zoot Suit Culture of the 40s. Passionate and provocative, ZOOT SUIT pulses with the beat of Big Band Music and traditional Latin songs.

A L.A. Theatre Works full-cast performance featuring: Xochiquetzal Candelaria, Raul Cardona, Daniel Chacon, Estrella Esparza, Primavera Flor-Valdez, Spencer Garrett, Ruben C. Gonzalez, Gregory Itzin, Alma Martinez, Seth Millwood, Marco Rodriguez, Al Ruscio, Daniel Valdez, Katrina Valdez, Kinan Valdez, Lakin Valdez

Genres: Plays, Drama, School, Read For School, Historical Fiction, Theatre, Fiction

1 pages, Audio CD

First published January 1, 1978

About the author

Luis Valdez is an American playwright, writer and film director.

He is regarded as the father of Chicano theater in the United States.

Reviews

[Chloe the MovieCritic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Didn't even realize this was a time in history. I loved trying to figure out if El Pachuco was "real" and was in suspense over the court case and the injustices that occurred. I didn't love the relationship Hank had with the lady from the press, but I guess the ending is supposed to be about that ambivalence and how real life isn't tied up neatly.

[Shawn Mooney (Shawn Breathes Books) · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not much for watching or especially reading dramatic plays, but this one, an audiotaped version of a live drama, was particularly dreadful. I also don't like finding out about history through fiction, but I might go and investigate further the true life events upon which the play is based. But the acting and the lines being histrionically uttered were making my skin crawl by the end.

[Sergio Garcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book goes deep into a man with a dream from East LA that started a theatrical group and or a company. Then the author goes in to explain the Zoot Suit riots, why and how it went down. It's pretty interested if you're into Chicano history.

[Jason Stephens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wanted to give three stars because it’s not something I typically find enjoyable, but gave four because of the importance of the play. Zoot Suit covers social issues that still prevail for Latino communities today.

[anna maziarska · Rating 4 out of 5]

fuck yeah!!!! so good!!!! need to see it on stage

[Zachary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ay, necesito mejorar mi español

[julia reste · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not much to say other than this was good!!
edit: after talking over some downfalls of the story, i have changed my rating.

2.75/5 stars

[Natalie Park · Rating 4 out of 5]

So excited as I'm seeing the play tonight! Glad I read to understand the Spanish slang which is used in the play.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read this play twice this year, and I think its power is undeniable as a social-document and as a story of American Chicano identity forged in the face of police brutality, racial profiling, fear of "the other," and the backdrop of World War Two. I'm excited about teaching this for the first time, and Valdez's boldness and visionary construction of the elements of this play feel very prescient and relevant in 2017 America; I'm excited to see his words resonate with a modern youth audience.

[Alicia Gordon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aww. this was amazing and it happened so close to where I live. It's fascinating and powerful and hopeful and everything I love. And it's true, well, mostly. I'm so glad I couldn't find the sparknotes and was forced to actually read this one.

FULL REVIEW: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7oab...

[Jennie]

The story itself was excellent, and an important one. I just didn't care for the playwright's style in delivering it.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an incredibly powerful and moving story that sheds light on racial injustice and discrimination against Chicanos in the United States in the 1940's. A triumphant success.

[David Anzaldo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zoot Suit is a play written by Luis Valdez that explores the rising tension forming in Los Angeles between the youth of the Mexican community, servicemen, and the LA police force. The play is based off of two important events that occurred at the time, 1) the 1942 trial of members of the East LA 38th street gang, and the 2) 1943 zoot suit riots. These two events are uniquely explored through the lens of Mexican American culture, language, and symbolism. The play starts off with Henry Reyna escorting his date Della to a dance where the members of his gang will also be attending. During the dance tensions start to build during an incident involving the Downey gang and the Est LA 38th street gang eventually leading to Henry being jumped by Downey gang members when is alone with Della. This prompts Henry to call on his gang for retaliation but when they are mistaken for the Downey gang, community members form the ranch start to attack Henry and his members. The aftermath is a trial in which a death that occurred from this altercation is being investigate with Henry and four other of his gang being the accused. Luis Valdez uses many elements of the play to paint the experience of a Mexican American going through the justice system and the struggles that go along with it. The language is a mixture of Spanish words and slang and English to show the duality of living as a Mexican American youth growing up in Los Angeles. The play shows many perspectives of those defending justice like Alice and George while also showing the injustice of the time with the Newspaper articles or the unfair Judge who was doing misconduct during the trial. My favorite part of the play was the character Pachuco whether it was his lines of singing or the mystic Aztec stare he gives Henry during a climactic scene, his scenes are always impactful. This play was amazing in its ability to translate the struggles of Mexican American community at the time through fun lighthearted scenes to powerful symbolic imagery.

[Reader]

The play "Zoot Suit" is a vibrant and intriguing play by Luis Valdez that captures a crucial moment in Los Angeles history. Set in the 1940s, it centers around the real-life events of the Sleepy Lagoon murder case and the following Zoot Suit Riots. Through the story of Henry Reyna and the 38th Street gang, it explores themes of racial prejudice, identity, and cultural pride. The play uses a unique blend of music, dance, and drama to bring life to the struggles and injustices faced by Mexican-American youth. It's a powerful play that not only entertains but also educates and sparks conversation about social issues. “Zoot Suit" is an incredibly rich play that does an excellent job of putting together many themes and historical context. The dramatic action is intense and emotional. This captures the tension of the era with each scene. It's not just about the trial itself, but the whole societal atmosphere that led to such a boiling point. The character journey, especially of Henry Reyna, is intense. You really get a sense of all the battles he faces, containing the struggles of an entire community. Thematic focus is another strong point of the play. It dives into discrimination, justice, identity, and resilience. The language is a mix of English and Spanish, which I think adds accuracy and power to the dialogue, making the character’s experiences more relatable. Finally, the historical context is what completes the play. It's not just a story but it's a lesson about a part of American history that often gets overlooked. The Zoot Suit Riots and the Sleepy Lagoon murder are events that speak volumes about the racial tensions of the time, and this play brings those issues to the front line in a way that's both educational and emotionally impactful. It's a play that definitely stays with you and sparks a deeper reflection on how the past shapes the present.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an excellent audiobook to "read" on my commute to and from AP Lit training. I cannot wait to meet Valdez himself this summer, read more of his work, and check out Teatro Campesino! The radio play version was amped with music, sound effects, excellent voice actors, and pacing. The play came alive for me in a way that reminded me of the value of listening to them more often. I tend to read or watch them, but man, they're great heard too.

A colleague in Boston recommended this play to me many years ago, telling me that it's one of his favorites and blew his mind. A part of me see it -- there are two moments in particular that have some compelling social commentary to me, but overall, I thought it didn't delve as deeply, emotionally or philosophically, as I hoped it would. Maybe it got too hyped in my mind and I expected it to have a similar effect on me as Stoppard's Arcadia did, where I would be moved by it long after its conclusion. But with this one, I moved on to a podcast. Still, I see its value, esp. in light of its historical context, but I don't see the content having a lasting, substantial pull on its own, at least for a classroom. As a nice choice option, great!

[JULIO REYES · Rating 4 out of 5]

To begin the play Zoot Suit by Luis Valdez takes play in Los Angeles in the early 1940’s during the events of WWII. The main character Henry Reyna was a young Zoot Suiter who was consistently getting into trouble but this time it was one worse than he's ever seen before. The play was very very well put together and its progression and character development was incredible; with the natural dialog between the characters the more you read the more the characters seemed to stick and with each having there own personality it never felt repetitive with the character or as if one of the main characters was pointless. The storytelling felt like a chain reaction where one event led to another and so on it just always felt in motion and never slowed down. This play had one of the most satisfying but yet very unique ending without saying much about it. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys plays and/or book that put you in the shoes of the main character and like always being on the edge of your seats.

[Enrique Alvarez · Rating 4 out of 5]

The play Zoot Suit is a historical piece of evidence in L.A around World War II. The play author Luis Valdez grabs the reader’s attention throughout the play by show brief evidence of the racial collision in L.A between Chicanos and the opposing races against their decisions. I thought the book was good because the book in Zoot Suit was based on a true story, the climax was the best part because the author tended to show racial collision and that’s exactly what he did when the the main character Henry Reyna and his friends were accused of murder a trialed over there ethnicity. What Luis Valdez did that was intriguing was the ending where he provided three different endings, over all I’d rate this book with four stars. I learned that racial collision and xenophobia still happen today because of these past events so over all I would recommend this play to anyone interest in learning what behind the scenes of WWII.

[Lautaro Galleguillos · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Zoot Suit Play is a very engaging and amusing historical based musical. The use of a subconscious character - El Pachuco - as the alter ego of Henry Reyna, presents a very original feature on a play. The development of characters is clear and easy to follow. The open ending of the play offers a varied possible outcome, after Henty Reyna was release from jail. I think this feature leaves for the imagination of the readers to choose whatever they like as the reader depending on their political/social positions. This feature is something that I don't particularly like, the story has an ending on real life, and as a story it can be open without suggesting any ending. In that people will have to find what was the outcome. Instead of being given different possibilities that are set on a rigid social view.

[Allison Gonzales · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zoot Suit is a must-read/watch, Luis Valdez writes the play. This Dramatic play is set in the 1940s in Los Angeles, California. Two note-worthy events are tied into this play's background, World War || as well as the Zoot Suit Riots, this play follows El Pachuco a young Chicano. El pachuco and a group of other kids who are accused of murder, based on True events. Racial discrimination and the clashing of cultural identities are central to this play. Valdez shifts the play back and forth from the struggles of the families accused, El Pachuco and his monologue, as well as being questioned about the crime to courtroom drama, as El Pachuco seeks his own identity as well as justice for his people throughout the play.

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Valdez's Zoot Suit shows the struggles of Mexican Americans during the Zoot Suit riots. I'm glad that a play on Chicano reached this kind of fame all around. This is an important part of history for Mexican Americans and it's amazing for it to be told through the lens of a Chicano. For Mexicans to be dealt with the blame for most crimes done during that time for the outfits they chose to wear is outrageous and wrong, Chicano harassment will never leave the mind of Mexicans. Although some may say that the play was not moving enough or lacking in some areas, I believed it was enough to bring attention to Chicano harassment and the Sleepy Lagoon case in 1942.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zoot Suit is a wonderful play that shows the history of anti-Chicano sentiments in the United States. I really like that Spanish was integrated into the play as the connection to Mexico is very important to Chicanos. As someone who is bilingual, the mixture of Spanish and English are very important to expressing myself culturally and I think the play captures that very well.

I also liked that the ending was ambiguous as I feel like that shows how xenophobia and racism are not sovled even though the play ends. Unfortunately, the play remains relevant today as xenophobic sentiments towards immigrants still exist.

[Dayana · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I think about the act "Zoot Suit" by Luis Valdez is that it was a really good act. I loved how their was so much suspense and drama. It would look like it was happening for real. The scenes where it was quiet was when it was curious for me because I wanted to know what was going to happen next. I also liked it because it was a bilingual act they talked both languages Spanish and English. I liked that because i am bilingual myself. At the end of the act my most favorite part was when they all were together and that they were supporting each other.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Had to read this book because I was teaching it to my class. They loved it. I really enjoyed it. They students taught me all the bad words in Spanish because they were said in the play. LOL They laughed at my gringa-ness whenever I tried to read certain key phrases aloud. I bought the audiobook to listen to while we followed along with the play. The audiobook was sooo good. Different actors doing different parts and included the music of the time period. Fantastic. Glad to finally have read the book.

[Arturo Serrano · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think the book of Zoot Suit is perfect. I believe it is a good book because i loved on how they made it into like a type of acting roles. And i specially liked it because i felt connected to the type of way they lived because I am also Mexican and i just felt some type of connection towards this and i loved on how Pachuco was always there and never let alone Henry Reyna from any situation he would be facing.

[Michael Haase · Rating 2 out of 5]

The play is too short, shallow, and derivative to make for a serious and memorable experience. The characters are bland, the story is run-of-the-mill, whatever comedy, drama, or romance there's supposed to be in it falls short of the mark.

It does however make an interesting use of language, combining elements of English and Spanish to create an atmosphere that really immerses you in its setting.

Other than that though, the play is pretty dull.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zoot Suit is a fascinating look at a fictionalised version of the Sleepy Lagoon murder trial and the zoot suit riots. The characters are compelling, it has a solid sense of humour, the story is engaging, and it's an introduction to a little piece of history and look into Chicano culture in the 1940s (the setting) and 1970s (when it was written and first performed). I listened to the LA Theatre Works production, which was enjoyable and featured several original cast members. Recommended!

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

My thoughts on this book were that it was very informative about the life of a man who actually faced these types of obstacles. Having an actual book and movie about the story of Henry Reyna makes people understand how hard it was and still is to be a Mexican- American in a society where they are not accepted.

[Roger Cain · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was pretty good because it showed a lot of feelings and what was great about it it didn't leave any parts out about the film it should race fighting with other race not following the law hanging around is crew getting into fight lying to the police and getting into fights with polices or just not caring about anything.

[Jailine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel as if this book perfectly describes what it meant to be apart of the latinx community during the Zoot Suit Era. Being apart of the latinx community I was stunned when finding out about the adversities they faced and I gained insight on what they had to overcome in order for me to be where I am today.

[Carolina · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Zoot suit was a book that I honsetly didn't like because of the slaying words but didn't like the way they customing would speak because sometimes if the book has something that you wont learn from it why read it. However many may not agree with the idea I have but the could of better in many parts because in parts of the book it wasn't very specific