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In the sun-bleached hills outside Los Angeles, the lives of three people are on a collision course. Delaney Mossbacher, nature writer and staunch environmentalist, lives a tidy, comfortable existence with his wife and toddler stepson behind the walls of a gated hilltop community. Cándido and América Rincón, recently arrived undocumented immigrants from Mexico, camp at the bottom of a local canyon, fight the elements, and tirelessly mow lawns and clean houses while they save for an apartment. One summer day, Delaney, driving up the narrow, twisty canyon road as he returns home from his weekly trip to the recycling center, hits Cándido with his car. Their lives will never be the same. Part comic satire and part parable on the price of the American dream, Tortilla Curtain is a fast-paced epic for our times.
DELANEY MOSSBACHER male, Caucasian, late 30s. Nature writer, lives in Arroyo Blanco, a well-off housing development in Topanga Canyon, CA.
CANDIDO RINCON male, Mexican, mid 30s. An undocumented immigrant from Tepoztlan, Mexico that lives in the canyons of Topanga Canyon, CA. He and America have come to California to find a better life. Must be fluent in Mexican Spanish and English.
AMERICA female, Mexican, 17-early 20s. Very pretty. An undocumented immigrant from Tepoztlan, Mexico that lives in the canyons of Topanga Canyon, CA. She is pregnant with Candido’s baby and has run away from her family in Mexico to find a better life in California with Candido. Doubles as Resurrección, Candido’s wife and America’s older sister. Must be fluent in Mexican Spanish and English.
KYRA female, Caucasian, late 30s. Delaney’s second wife and a successful real estate agent. Strong, opinionated, type-A woman. Plays multiple characters throughout play: Female Tourist, Jack Jr.’s Friend, Community Member #1, Tough Girl, Jerk #1, Mrs. Grantham, Checkout Girl, Partygoer #1, Cop, Ensemble
JOSE NAVIDAD male, half Mexican and half Caucasian, 20s. Sleazy illegal who hits on America though he knows she is not single. Plays multiple characters throughout play: Sancho, Community Member #2, Man #2, Carlos, Partygoer #2, TV Anchor, Firefighter #1, Ensemble.
JACK SR male, Caucasian, mid 50s. Attorney. Delaney’s friend and neighbor in Arroyo Blanco, a well-off housing development in Topanga Canyon, CA. Plays multiple characters throughout play: Male Tourist, Man #3, Cowboy, Jerk #2, Partygoer #3, TV Anchor, Firefighter #3, Ensemble
JACK JR male, Caucasian, 20s. Jack Sr.’s son. Spoiled, privileged, ignorant, and a bit punk. Lives in Arroyo Blanco, a well-off housing development in Topanga Canyon, CA. Plays multiple characters throughout play: Dominick Flood, Community Member #3, Man #1, Jerk #1, Acura, Salesman, Firefighter #2, Ensemble
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