ZOOT SUIT (1978) Theatre poster

(Latino theater) Los Angeles: Mark Taper Forum, [1978]. Vintage original 22 x 14″ (56 x 36 cm.) window card theatre poster, USA. Illustration by Ignacio Gomez. Creasing and bending at extreme lower left, overall near fine.

ZOOT SUIT is a landmark play in the history of Latino theater. Its examination of the calamitous 1943 event called the Los Angeles Zoot Suit Riots (in which young Latino men were assaulted) remains a high point in theatrical representation of 20th century California history. The play, written and directed by Luis Valdez, had its world premiere at the Mark Taper Forum for a ten-day run, April 20-30, 1978. That initial run was an enormous success, selling out in two days, with each performance given to very enthusiastic audiences composed of Taper ticket holders as well as many Mexican-Americans.

It was immediately obvious that this play about the riots and their aftermath really spoke to the Latino theater-going public. In time, the play has come to be regarded as a landmark in the history of Latino theater. After its initial run, the play was revived in August, 1978, for an equally successful — but much more extended — run, and this poster was created for that engagement.