A dramatic cast and crew of students will begin a week-long series of performances of Cherrie Moraga's award-winning drama "Heroes and Saints" in the Moore Theatre of the Hopkins Center for the Performing Arts tonight.
The production dedicated to the late Cesar Chavez, the founder and long-time supporter of the United Farm Workers of America, focuses on the effects of pesticides in a small Mexican-American farm community.
In the fictitious small town in California called McLaughlin, several children are born with crippling birth defects and handicaps which residents in the community attribute to pesticides used on the surrounding crops.
The story follows the plight of the farm workers in the community who have become convinced that the pesticides used on the fruit in the area and chemical presence in the local water supply have contributed significantly to a high level of premature cancer deaths and other maladies that plague their children.
After repeated attempts to dissuade growers to stop using these pesticides, the farmers resort to extreme means to show their disgust. The farmers began to openly "crucify" their children, hoisting them on crosses as a constant reminder of the plight of the farmer and his family.
Later, the growers resort to violence to keep the farmers under control.
The play's protagonist, Cerezita, symbolically represents the community and its situation. Born without limbs or a torso, Cerezita is a head who travels in a motorized wheelchair crafted just for her.
Cerezita later gains the trust of a priest and is then able to articulate her desires. She attempts to help the growers re-establish their dignity and hope.
Roberto Varea, visiting assistant professor of drama, directs the play, a Dartmouth Department of Drama production.
Drama Professors Georgi Alexi-Miskhishvi, Kan Kotlowitz and Margaret Spicer have developed the production's set design, lighting and costumes, respectively.
The play will also include puppeteers who will operate shadow and life-size puppets.
Performances begin at 8:00 p.m. tonight, Feb. 20, and will continue through Saturday, Feb. 24. Additionally, there will be performances at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
Moraga's drama won the 1992 Critics Circle Award along with the Will Glickman Prize for Best Play of 1992, the Drama Logue Award and the Pen West Prize.
