Photo Flash: Inside Rehearsal for ZOOT SUIT at the Taper with Luis Valdez and More

The legendary play with music, "Zoot Suit," just kicked off rehearsals at Center Theatre Group. "Zoot Suit" begins previews January 31, opens February 12 and continues through March 12, 2017, at the Mark Taper Forum. Written and directed by Luis Valdez, "Zoot Suit" is presented in association with El Teatro Campesino. BroadwayWorld has a peek at the company in rehearsal below!

In addition to the previously announced Demian Bichir, Jeanine Mason, Rose Portillo, Daniel Valdez and Jeremy Ray Valdez, the cast now also includes (in alphabetical order), Brian Abraham, Mariela Arteaga, Melinna Bobadilla, Oscar Camacho, Stephani Candelaria, Raul Cardona, Fiona Cheung, Tiffany Dupont, Caleb Foote, Holly Hyman, Kimberlee Kidd, Rocío López, Tom G. McMahon, Andres Ortiz, Michael Naydoe Pinedo, Matias Ponce, Gilbert Saldivar, Richard Steinmetz, Evan Strand, Bradford Tatum and Raphael Thomas.

Choreography for "Zoot Suit" is by Maria Torres, the production includes songs composed by Lalo Guerrero, the music director is Daniel Valdez, casting is by Rosalinda Morales, Pauline O'con, CSA, and Candido Cornejo, Jr., CSA. Scenic design is by Christopher Acebo, costume design is by Ann Closs-Farley, lighting design is by Pablo Santiago, sound design is by Philip G. Allen and projection design is by David Murakami. The associate director is Kinan Valdez and the production stage manager is David S. Franklin.

Nearly 40 years after its world premiere, the original creator Luis Valdez will once again fill the Taper stage with a company of 25 actors, singers and dancers weaving fact and fiction together as they portray the events surrounding the infamous 1942 Sleepy Lagoon murder in Los Angeles. Filled with heart, sly wit and the infectious songs of Lalo Guerrero, 'Zoot Suit' remains an urgent portrayal of the clash between generations in a Chicano family, the rifts between cultures in America and how racism and injustice can haunt a city and a society.

International stage and screen star Demian Bichir (Tarantino's "The Hateful Eight," FX's "The Bridge," Showtime's "Weeds," Soderbergh's "Che" and "A Better Life," Academy Award nomination) will play the indelible role of El Pachuco.

Actors Daniel Valdez and Rose Portillo are returning to "Zoot Suit" after appearing in the world premiere production at the Taper in 1978, as well as at the Aquarius Theatre in Hollywood, on Broadway and in the film. Valdez played the leading role of Henry Reyna, while Portillo played Della, his barrio girlfriend. The two will be reunited for this new production, with Valdez now playing Enrique Reyna (Henry's father) and Portillo playing Dolores Reyna (Henry's mother). Daniel Valdez will also music direct once again.

Jeremy Ray Valdez, who will play Henry in the new production, is an Imagen Award-winner for "La Mission," was featured in the Sundance film "All She Can" and has guest-starred in such series as "The Mentalist" and "Castle," among many others.

Jeanine Mason, who will play Della, won season five of "So You Think You Can Dance" and recently appeared in ABC's "Of Kings and Prophets." She also played a recurring role on ABC Family's "Bunheads."

Photo Credit: Craig Schwartz

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