Government shutdown could cancel El Paso play

The government shutdown might only be days old, but the closure of Chamizal National Memorial could very well cancel the production of an El Paso play.

“We thought for sure it’s not going to happen, and here, sure enough, at midnight on Friday, it did,” said Hector Serrano, the director of Los Desarraigados. “We are just hoping that we are able to come to some conclusions fast and possibly keep the government offices open for another couple of weeks.”

The Spanish-language theater company “Los Actores” has invested close to one thousand dollars into Los Desarraigados before paying any actors, the show’s producer said. The play’s first production is scheduled for Friday, January 26th.

“It’s extremely frustrating to have to continue with rehearsals, with our marketing and just hope for the best,” said David Mills, the show’s producer.

Mills said Chamizal has not yet informed his company if Los Desarraigados has been canceled.

“We need to know,” Mills said. “We need to let our patrons know if the show is going to go on, if it’s going to be canceled.”

In the nation’s capital, legislators have attempted a compromise by tentatively agreeing to fund a wall on the Mexican border in exchange for DACA protections, according to the Associated Press. The shutdown was still in effect by Monday morning.

The show’s cast found it ironic that United States legislation surrounding Mexico caused a government shutdown which ultimately delayed their play about the Mexican-American cultural experience.

“I think it’s ironic that we’re dealing with a Mexican-American play,” said Ricardo Jimenez, an actor in the production.

“Honestly, it was irony at its finest,” said Lorely Rodriguez, an actress in the show.

The Spanish-language play Los Desarraigados focuses on the concept of being “American grown with Mexican roots.”

“It’s a beautiful cultural experience,” Serrano said.

“The preparation alone has been so much,” Rodriguez said. “Everything that’s gone into the publicity of this, it’s been a lot, a lot of time.”