For the third consecutive year, Pharr Community Theater (PCT) will present the classic play, A Tejano Christmas Carol. This Charles Dickens adaptation is set in the RGV where the mean spirited, shyster Mr. Ezequiel Codos serves as a powerful attorney and greedy water broker. He owns vast property on both sides of the Rio Grande, including tons of water rights, and when he decides to sell all those rights the river dries up to grave consequences in the future.
In the process he’s visited by three ghosts that include a soldier woman from the Mexican Revolution, played by Armandina Sesin, who has acted the part for the last three years.
“I love playing ‘La Soldadera’/The Ghost of Christmas Past because she reminds me of Mexico and it’s incredible history including the romantic side of the revolution, added Armandina. “The Christmas season is coming and this play is perfect for it, please come and enjoy it”.
Fourteen year old Andres Flores from San Juan attends Austin Middle School as an 8th grader. This is his second play with PCT where he now performs in the role of the Ghost of Christmas present, as a young Zoot Suiter alongside 20 other characters and townsfolk who eventually help Codos find a better way, a kinder spirit.
“I love being an actor in a play, it has every basic element, I get a cool feeling when out there on stage and you have so much fun saying your lines in front of a crowd, the energy makes me feel great. I connect well to this character”, chuckled the young actor.
As the local theater company continues to celebrate it’s 10 year, this production has nearly 30 local actors, crew and technicians, including Nela De La Garza as Stage and Production Manager. It also marks the 3rd year in a row that veteran actor and company director, Pedro Garcia plays Mr. Codos, the Scrooge equivalent.
“I seldom cast myself in our plays but this is a part I feel I was cut to play, especially now that I’ve gotten older,” said Garcia. “Codos is a fun character because he’s mean…jeje. I allow myself to try different intonations with him, and this time I’m happy to be offered direction by our new director, Seres Jaime Magaña”.
Twenty-seven year old Magaña first took acting classes with Garcia when he was 14 years old and was brought back into the theater a year and half ago to write and direct the play, The Tragic Corrido of Romeo & Lupe, loosely based on Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet. The play was a hit! Again under the supervision of Garcia, Magaña is being poised to direct on his own soon.
“I’m going about it one step at a time… getting more and more involved with everything that comes into a production of a play; costumes, lights, music, the setting of the stage, directing actors and seeing what it really takes to orchestrate a play”, said Magaña.
The play is family friendly.
The PCT shows are bilingual but will be in English at several planned tours to local Winter Texan Parks.
The play runs November 28 through December 2 at Pharr Community Theater at 213 W Newcombe Ave., Wednesday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 3:00 p.m. (Please note: The Saturday, December 1st show will coincide with the City Of Pharr Christmas Posada. It is advised to come earlier that day to find parking in the surrounding vicinity of the theater. Tickets for the play are only $6 for students, military and senior citizens and $8 general admission, and will be sold on a first come, first served basis starting one hour prior to showtime at the theater or in advance by calling 956-239-0412. (The intimate space seats only 60 persons at a time).
The bilingual version will also tour to the Pharr Events Center at 3000 N Cage Blvd on December 4 at 7:30 pm. Tickets to this show are $3 per person or 2 tickets for $5 and will only be sold at the door, starting one hour prior to showtime.
Four more shows, in English, will take place at 4 RGV WINTER TEXAN PARKS: Dec. 14 thru Dec. 19, 2018:
Dec 14 @ 7:00 pm (Fri)
El Valle Del Sol (Peppermint Palace)
2500 E Business Hwy 83, Mission, TX.
For more info. call 956-585-5704
Dec 17 @ 7:00 pm (Mon)
Casa Del Sol
400 North Val Verde Rd, Donna, TX.
For more info. call 956-464-9024
Dec 18 @ 7:00 pm (Tue)
Winter Haven Village
1015 W Sam Houston, Pharr, TX
For more info. call 308-289-2201
Dec 19 @ 7:00 pm (Wed)
Bentsen Grove Resort
1645 South Bentsen Palm Drive, Palmview, TX.
For more info. call 956-585-0703
Parks Admission is $7.00. Open seating, doors open 1 hour prior to play
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PIC CAPTIONS: Please feel free to utilize one or more pics for printing with the PSA/Editorial
Cast members from A Tejano Christmas Carol rehearse the dinner table scene. L-R: Ethan Chapa, Zebony Vi Vega, Ruby E. Garcia, Lorelai G Martinez, Dante Cardenas & Katherine Chapa. The family-friendly play runs November 28 through December 2 at Pharr Community Theater.
Pedro Garcia & Armandina Sesin reprise their roles for the third year in a row as the scrooge like character, Mr. Codos and as the ghost of Christmas past, La Rielera de la Revolución Mexicana in A Tejano Christmas Carol. The family-friendly play runs November 28 through December 2 at Pharr Community Theater.
Three young actors rehearse a school classroom scene in A Tejano Christmas Carol. L-R: Zebony Vi Vega, Matthew Perez, & Andres Flores. The family-friendly play runs November 28 through December 2 at Pharr Community Theater.
Dante Cardenas will be Pablo Gomez in A Tejano Christmas Carol. The family-friendly play runs November 28 through December 2 at Pharr Community Theater.
Director, Seres Jaime Magaña offer guidance to cast members, Itza Flores, Dante Cardenas and Ruby E Garcia as they practice a party scene. The family-friendly play runs November 28 through December 2 at Pharr Community Theater.
A much-anticipated annual event, the International Festival, held at St. George’s Orthodox Church in Pharr is perfect for picking up holiday gifts, as well as for-sale specialty foods. Local families and Winter Texans alike enjoy this seasonal occurrence. If you appreciate a taste of the world, don’t miss this culinary fundraiser. Festival favorites include Greek layered pastitcio, spanakopita, grilled souvlaki and stuffed grape leaves. On the Russian side of the gastronomic globe, try savory cabbage rolls, pirogies or hot blini. And of course, some Ukrainian honey cake.
A fun, educational outing for the entire family, the Festival offers free entry, parking, children’s activities and a wide variety of entertainment. There’s always something for everyone to see, hear and do. Activities and information will be shared by the Museum of South Texas History, IMAS, the McAllen Public Library, Texas Master Naturalists, Texas Master Gardeners, UTRGV CHAPS, the Lambs Loom, Gem Valley Farmers Market, Milkweed & Monarchs and more. “Two by Two Petting Zoo” will be available for children from 10 a.m. – noon.
A special place for for holiday shopping, pick up some unique items created by artisans, handicraft and farmers market vendors. Everything from local honey and tasty preserves, to handmade soap, beeswax candles, Eastern European folkart and handcrafted wood items will be there to choose from. Some special vendors from Mexico will sell small batch bags of coffee grown in Mexico, handcrafted silver jewelry and more. If you’re interested, take a free guided tour of St. George Orthodox Church and the learn about the lovely icons, an ancient liturgical artform.
Come early and spend the day. Begin the morning with freshly baked scones and muffins. Want a break to sit a while and watch the performances? Grab a cup of Russian tea, Greek or Mexican coffee and some special baked goods from the Russian Tea Shoppe, and you’ll be ready to relax and enjoy the music. Handicapped drop off and entry access available.