Boyle Heights Museum To Present Exhibit ROYBAL: A Multi-Racial Catalyst For Democracy

Josefina López, Co-Founder of the Boyle Heights Museum and Founding Artistic Director of CASA 0101 Theater and Dr. George J. Sanchez, Co-Founder of the Boyle Heights Museum and a USC Professor of History and American Studies, announced today they will present their third exhibition for the Boyle Heights Museum, ROYBAL: A Multi-Racial Catalyst for Democracy, to be housed in the Jean Deleage Arts Gallery in the lobby of CASA 0101 Theater, 2102 East First Street (at St. Louis Street), Boyle Heights, CA 90033. This project was made possible with support from California Humanities, a non-profit partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities, http://www.calhum.org. (Este proyecto fue possible con el apoyo de California Humanities, un asociado sin fines de lucro del National Endowment for the Humanities, http://www.calhum.org)

The exhibit, ROYBAL: A Multi-Racial Catalyst for Democracy, Celebrating The Life of Edward Ross ROYBAL, The First Mexican-American To Be Elected to the Los Angeles City Council in the 20th Century, will be on display from November 11, 2018 - February 9, 2019 in the Jean Deleage Gallery of CASA 0101 Theater. The exhibit will be running in tandem with the World Premiere of a new show, REMEMBERING BOYLE HEIGHTS, created and devised by Josefina López, Corky Dominguez and The Ensemble Cast, being presented at CASA 0101 Theater from November 9 - December 16, 2018.

CONGRESSWOMAN LUCILLE ROYBAL-ALLARD, (CA-40), the daughter of the late Edward Ross Roybal and Lucille Bessera Roybal, who became the first Mexican-American congresswoman 25 years ago, will attend CASA 0101 Theater's Opening Night World Premiere performance of the new theatrical show, REMEMBERING BOYLE HEIGHTS, and at the same time view the new Boyle Heights Museum's exhibition, ROYBAL: A Multi-Racial Catalyst for Democracy, honoring her legendary father, on Friday, November 9, 2018 in Boyle Heights, CA.

Josefina López, "A museum about Boyle Heights, and this new theatrical show we are presenting which chronicles the history of Boyle Heights, are important and necessary for young people in our community, as well as for the populace of Greater Los Angeles, many of whom may have very little knowledge of the rich immigrant history of this community. I am very happy our current exhibit celebrates the life and accomplishments of one of our own, the late Edward Ross Roybal, a pillar of our community, who made history in 1949 when he was elected as the first Mexican-American to serve on the Los Angeles City Council, representing District 9 in Boyle Heights. The story of Edward Ross Roybal's life will not only be seen pictorially on the walls of our exhibit, but his life will be dramatized on the stage as well, in one of the scenes in our show."

Dr. George Sanchez explained, "The Boyle Heights Museum (www.boyleheightsmuseum.org) is a research, exhibition, and educational project that preserves and celebrates the multi-ethnic history of Los Angeles' Boyle Heights neighborhood. Our current exhibit, ROYBAL: A Multi-Racial Catalyst for Democracy, is a bilingual (Spanish and English) exhibition, will consider Roybal's contributions to social justice in Los Angeles, his family's multi-generational political legacy, and the impact of his coalition of progressive, multi-racial grassroots activists. Between the 2018 midterm elections and 2019 local elections, the project will emphasize the importance of voting and civic participation, particularly among local youth."

Josefina López added, "Panel Discussions will be scheduled after Sunday Matinee performances of REMEMBERING BOYLE HEIGHTS at CASA 0101 Theater during the run of the show, with the exception of the First Panel Discussion on Latino Leadership in Boyle Heights which will be led by Dr. George Sanchez on Sunday, November 11, 2018 starting at 2:00 p.m., followed by an Opening Reception in the theater's lobby at 2:45 p.m. and then the performance of the show at 4:45 p.m." Doors will open at 1:00 p.m. for viewing the exhibit. Subsequent Panel Discussions will include the Boyle Heights Historical Society, the Jewish Historical Society, the Japanese American Museum, Food & Fashion in Boyle Heights, and more. Please visit the websites, www.casa0101.org and www.boyleheightsmuseum.org for updates on scheduling.

The exhibit, ROYBAL: A Multi-Racial Catalyst for Democracy is curated by Dr. George Sanchez and co-curated by Jimmy Centeno. The exhibit is designed by Janine Vigus, and has been assembled by USC students, notably Ph.D. Students Michelle Vasquez-Ruiz, Yesenia Navarette Hunter and Cassandra Flores-Montano, and undergraduates Ivonne Rodriguez and Kathy Pulupa. The exhibit will include art work created by local artists, Yesenia Navarrete Hunter, Carlos Tinoco, Gino Cervantes and Pedro Martinez who will be exhibiting a never seen before, original clay cast used to create two busts of Edward Ross Roybal, one of which is housed in Los Angeles City Hall, and the second which is on display at Roybal High School in Los Angeles. The exhibit, ROYBAL: A Multi-Racial Catalyst for Democracy can be viewed free-of-charge prior to all performances of the show, REMEMBERING BOYLE HEIGHTS, on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through December 16th, and during regular Jean Deleage Gallery Hours, Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. through February 3, 2019. The Gallery is Closed on Sundays when there are no performances of the show, and on Mondays. In observance of Thanksgiving, Thursday and Friday, November 22 and 23, 2018, the Gallery will be closed. To learn more, please visit www.boyleheightsmuseum.org

Edward Ross Roybal was born in Pecos, New Mexico on February 10, 1916 into a Hispanic family. By the age of six, Roybal was brought by his family to live in the East side of Los Angeles in the neighborhood of Boyle Heights. He graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1934.

After graduating he joined the Civilian Conservation Corps, and later studied business at UCLA and law at Southwestern University. Roybal served as the first Mexican-American ever elected to the Los Angeles City Council, where he represented District 9, Boyle Heights, from July 1, 1949 - December 31, 1962. In 1962 Roybal was elected to Congress. He served as a Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California representing the 30th District from 1963 - 1975 and then the 25th District from 1975 - 1993.

On January 8, 2001, Edward Ross Roybal was presented with the Presidential Citizens Medal by President Bill Clinton. On October 24, 2005 Roybal died at the age of 89 of respiratory failure complicated by pneumonia at Huntington Hospital in Pasadena, CA. He is buried in Calvary Cemetery in East Los Angeles. On November 24, 2014 Edward Ross Roybal was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama.

Edward Ross Roybal was married to Lucille Beserra Roybal. The Roybals have three children who survive them: Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard, Lillian Roybal-Rose and Edward Roybal Jr.

REMEMBERING BOYLE HEIGHTS is an audience participatory, immersive and theatrical celebration. Contemporary gentrification debates unlock the early history, stories and memories of Boyle Heights revealing the mythical and human dimensions of L.A.'s own Ellis Island of the West.

Corky Dominguez, Director and Co-Writer of the show, REMEMBERING BOYLE HEIGHTS, explained: "Audiences coming to see this show will be taken on a unique theatrical journey, unlike anything they may have experienced before in the theatre. They will be lead by a Tour Guide, and in the process everyone will learn more about the evolution and history of Boyle Heights, from its rich cultural diversity and ethnicities of the past, coming full circle to the current gentrification of the community today. From the Breed Street Shul and Canter's Deli to Japanese-Americans being forced out of their homes in Boyle Heights during WWII, to the first African-American realtor in Boyle Heights, to students of various ethnic backgrounds playing sports at Theodore Roosevelt High School, to the election of Edward Ross Roybal as Boyle Heights' first Mexican-American in the 20th Century to serve as Los Angeles City Councilmember for District 9 in 1949, we cover a lot of ground."

Under the direction Corky Domingue, the Ensemble Cast will include: Michael Berckart, Joe Luis Cedillo, José Alejandro Hernandez Jr., Yvette Karla Herrera, Ángel Michel Juárez, Megumi Kabe, Marcel Licera, Jackie Marriott, Roberta H. Martínez, Allyson Taylor and Raymond Watanga.

Discounted Preview Performances for $10.00 per person will be presented on Friday and Saturday, November 2 and 3, 2018 with a Pre-Show starting at 7:45 p.m. and on Sunday, November 4, 2018 with a Pre-Show starting at 4:45 p.m. The show will be presented for a six-week run from November 9 - December 16, 2018 on Fridays and Saturdays starting with a Pre-Show at 7:45 p.m. and Sundays starting with a Pre-Show at 4:45 p.m. at CASA 0101 Theater, 2012 East First Street (at St. Louis Street) across the street from the Hollenbeck Police Station, Boyle Heights, CA 90033. There will be no performance on Friday, November 23, 2018 in observance of Thanksgiving.

Tickets during the six-week run are $20 per person for General Admission; $17 per person for Students and Seniors; and $15 per person for Boyle Heights residents. Discounts for Groups of 10 or more will be available at $15 per person. This show is recommended for all audiences. Advance reservations are highly recommended. Free Parking is available on several streets surrounding the theatre. Free Parking is also available on Fridays and Saturdays only at the Boyle Heights City Hall Parking Lot located at 2130 East First Street (at Chicago Street) by entering the lot from Chicago Street; the lot is closed on Sundays. For tickets, please call the CASA 0101 Theater Box Office at 323-263-7684, E-mail tickets@casa0101.org, or buy online at www.casa0101.org. The show runs without intermission. Join the conversation on Facebook @CASA0101Theater; on Twitter @CASA0101 and on YouTUBE at https://www.youtube.com/user/casa0101theater

Dinner and Theater Packages are available as well at CASA Fina Restaurant and Cantina, located at 1842 E. First Street, Boyle Heights, CA 90033, just a few block away from CASA 0101 Theater. Premium Dinners are an additional $25 to your ticket price; Regular Dinners are an additional $15 to your ticket price; and Deserts are an additional $5 to your ticket price. Please visit www.casa0101.org for menu options and choices.