Zoot Suit

Directed by a member of El Teatro Campesino’s 25th Anniversary National Tour, Rodney Garza, Zoot Suit is based on events surrounding the real-life trial of 17 wrongly convicted Mexican – American youths for the murder of José Gallardo Diaz. Zoot Suit, a high energy thought provoking musical, opening on young Henry Reyna’s final night before joining the Navy. A night of fun and freedom turn into horror as he and his gang are accused of murder. Held without bail and despite sufficient evidence, Henry is wrongfully convicted and sent to prison. Premiering on Broadway in 1978, the musical has since been toured nationally and adapted into a feature film. Zoot Suit has become a cultural staple about the lives of Mexican Americans in barrios of Los Angeles set against the backdrop of the Zoot Suit Riots and the rumblings of World War II.