On Thursday, October 16, Su Teatro Cultural and Performing Arts Center presented the opening of Bless Me Ultima, with an incredible cast, namely, Yolanda Ortega, Jesse Ogas, Angel Mendez Soto, Paul A. Zamora, Lorenzo Gonzalez, Camilo Luera, Shyan Rivera, Lucinda Lazo, Miguel Martimen, Angelina Calathea, Faron Nuff, Gisselle Gonzalez, Pamela Garcia Langton and Paola Miranda. Directed by Hugo E. Carbajal, the performance is scheduled through – November 2.
Bless Me Ultima, a literary masterpiece by the late New Mexican author, Rudolfo Anaya has been a literary masterpiece used by educators across the country for decades. Bless Me Ultima depicts life, culture, religion, and beliefs, of New Mexicans.
Ultima an elder in her community, cared for by Antonio’s family is a curandera who has lived through endless experiences, uses herbs, magical potions, and prayer to heal the ailing. Her presence within Antonio’s family and the community commands respect, attention, and fear.
Ultima’s guidance helps shape the present and future of the young man named Antonio Márez y Luna. Anaya projects his growing up experience up in northern New Mexico post-World War II. Antonio struggles learning of his culture, good vs. evil and growing into an adult. Ultima, the elder offers insight into the past, the present and Antonio’s destiny.
Anaya uses culture and spiritual humor to bring his point home. The life of the curandera, performed by Yolanda Ortega was both cultural as she delivered a touching performance as it depicted the background of so many Latinos.
If you are New Mexican or not, who does not remember your sometimes conflicted childhood. A time when your Catholic family’s upbringing often clashed with stories of curanderas, witchcraft, and the Land of Enchantment’s spirituality. The blend made for a unique sense of identity. Antonio experienced a similar background and a wise old woman’s advice that carried him into adulthood.
So many New Mexicans and their ancestry can identify with Bless Me Ultima. Perhaps your Ultima, was a wise old woman who happened to be your grandmother or your great-grandmother, who wisely blended your conflicts and your life experiences into your past, present and future.
Executive Artistic Director, Tony Garcia said, “Rudolfo Anaya’s Bless Me Ultima transformed so many of us, as a young man with a desire to be a writer, it allowed me to see a world that I understood on paper. It was a perspective I could write about. It literally changed my lie.”
Juana Bordas, community leader and long-time supporter of the arts offers, “The critically acclaimed novel Bless Me Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya published in 1972, was brought colorfully alive by the Su Teatro production. Get ready to learn and remember Hispanic New Mexican roots – the mystical spiritual traditions of a people dedicated to tending to the earth and water. Seasoned performers Jesse Olgas who plays the lead Antonio Márez y Luna and Yolanda Ortega as Ultima, share the stage with Dominic Holbert, who is Antonio as a young boy. Holbert and the other young actors capture the stage and ensure Latino theatre will thrive for years to come. Don’t miss this vibrant celebration of rural Hispanic culture in the 1940’s.“
The Bless Me Ultima performance is a must see and a reminder of one’s coming of age. Rudolfo Anaya’s masterpiece allows you to enjoy, smile and praise your identity.
For further information, please call (303)296-0219 or email: boxoffice@suteatro.org
