Stockton gets ready to celebrate Cinco de Mayo Drama production of ‘Epic Proportions’ ends year

BY BRYAN RAMOS Sports Editor

Cinco de Mayo is coming up soon. Many think that Cinco de Mayo is Mexican independence day, but Mexican independence day actually falls on Sept. 16.

Cinco de Mayo is actually celebrated because the Mexican army defeated the French army in the Battle of Puebla back in 1862. According to History.com, the battle lasted from dawn to dusk and the French eventually retreated. This was a historic victory and sparked the resistance movement in Mexico.

The U.S. also helped out Mexico by sending their soldiers down and by putting political pressure on France.

According to the New York Times, Cinco de Mayo is a celebration of Mexican heritage. This holiday is celebrated by Mexican-Americans in the U.S. and is also celebrated in Puebla, where the battle took place.

According to History. com, it is celebrated a lot in the U.S. because Chicano activists in the 60’s wanted to raise awareness as they saw it as a symbolic victory for the indigenous population against

European colonizers. There are quite a few fun ways to celebrate Cinco de Mayo.

CAR/TRUCK SHOWS

Car shows have been popular among Mexicans too, especially among Chicanos. Truck meets have been on the rise lately between Mexican-Americans, being similar to lowriders. You can always just find them driving around with the flags waving in the street!

FESTIVALS

Cinco de Mayo festivals and parades will pop up most likely when the date gets closer. But according to visitstockton. com, there will a Cinco de Mayo festival hosted at the Weber Point Events Center from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on May 7. This is a great event to attend with family.

CARNE ASADA

Cinco de Mayo falls on a Friday this year so that’s a good day to have a carnita asada/ barbeque in your yard with some friends and just spend quality time.

BY VANESSA GOMEZ Staff Writer

Delta Drama’s Spring production will be the Hollywood spoof “Epic Proportions.”

The comedy, which follows brothers Benny and Phil as they work in a 1930s Hollywood production, is inspired by the Biblical epics made in what is considered Hollywood’s “Golden Age.” Those movies, while cultural and financial juggernauts in their time period, are no longer as popular or as acclaimed.

“Epic Proportions” challenge is to appeal to a contemporary audience while still being a parody of those old movies.

“The fun is in immersing the audience in this Old Hollywood setting,” said Greg Foro, Professor of Drama and director of the play. “The difficult part is making the play feel authentic to the time period.”

Foro credits costume designers Johnathan Singer and Jennifer Johnson with making the play feel as authentic as possible. The immersion will begin even before the curtains go up, as the entrance to the Tillie

Lewis Theatre will be decorated like an Old Hollywood movie set.

When it comes to the comedy, the cast and crew are not too worried about alienating people with the time period.

“The costuming is what really helps set the play in Old Hollywood,” said Jon-Michael Porter, who plays Phil. “But good humor translates well to a modern audience.”

The play premiered in 1986, but the cast thinks the play written by Larry Coen and David Crane, one of whom has written for the show Friends, will hold up.

“There’s jokes about the film industry, a lot of wacky antics, a love triangle,” said Foro. “These are all gags that a modern audience is familiar with, so it really won’t be that alienating.”

But with the slapstick style of comedy, careful planning and directing is necessary to deliver the humor.

“In this production, everything has to be calculated,” said Codey Court, who portrays Benny. “Comedic timing is extremely important, unlike drama, which gives you a bit more room to breathe.”

The other challenge the two main actors face is portraying two different characters in the play.

“The characters are actors,” said Court. “So we are acting as actors.”

“The job of the character is to be an actor,” said Porter. “But at their core, they are brothers, and that relationship remains even when they are acting.”

“Epic Proportions” stands out from the rest of the productions put on this season due to its sheer scale.

“It’s a very elaborate production with a large ensemble,” said Foro. “It’s like being a conductor; you’re thinking of managing all the actors and crew before even getting into the thick of the action.”

The actors also have to stand out against all the hustle of the ensemble. “It’s important to be engaged, because it can be so easy to lose focus,” said Porter. “But it’s definitely a tiring show.”

“Epic Proportions” will run April 28, 29, May 5 and 6 starting at 7 p.m. and April 30 and May 7 starting at 2 p.m.