 VIVA, MEXICO!
Latin-American Music adapted by Ronald Hanmer, book by Phil Park
and Bernard Dunn, lyrics by Phil Park
A great favourite with amateur societies, this
tongue-in-cheek romantic comedy melodrama involves bandits, American
tourists and revolutionaries - and features a highly colourful Aztec
ceremonial. The score is a feast of world-famous melodies and dances
including "A Media Luz", "El Rancho Grande", "La Cucaracha" and
"The Mexican Hat Dance". Theatrically very effective: a show that
has pace, impact and lots of laughs.
Synopsis
Mendoza, Mexico's maddest revolutionary, has heard that a stage coach
due to pass by El Rancho Grande carries a million American dollars on
their way to support the tyrannical rule of the current Presidente. Escorting
the fortune is the pompous Senator K. Vanders, of Washington DC, accompanied
by his charming daughter Lucille. Since El Rancho Grande is owned by Mama
Inez, whose son, Ramon, is one of Mexico's promising young bandits, what
is more natural than for Mendoza to despatch Ramon to rob the coach. With
the mission accomplished, Pablo and Pepe, who seldom do anything right,
are left to bring the stolen luggage back to the Rancho.
Lopez, the villainous chief of the local police, suggests to the outraged
Senator that he and his daughter could best recover from their alarming
experience by resting a few days at El Rancho Grande. Lucille, overawed
by her experience, recognises Ramon as Zorro, the bandit behind the mask!
This considerably disturbs his fiancee Raquelita and her fiery friend
Lola. Will Lucille betray him, or must an unacceptably high price be paid
for her silence?
Bernardo, the sergeant of police offers no threat, as he is more concerned
in the musicianship of the police band rather than anything as dull as
catching outlaws, but Mama cannot suppress the creepy premonition she
has about his Chief of Police, the sinister Lopez.
The story reaches a tense climax during the colourful Aztec ceremony
held in a ruined temple where exactly ten years ago Ramon's father was
shot dead by Lopez. Will the fate of Ramon be the same as his father's
or will he be revenged on Lopez?
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Musical Numbers:
 El Rancho Grande - Mama Inez, Ramon & Chorus
Mañana - Pablo & Pepe
Love, Stay My Heart - Raquelita & Ramon
Oh, What A Shame - Lucille, Mama, Bernardo & Senator
The Sergeant's Song - Bernardo, Dancers and Chorus
La Cucaracha - Mendoza & Chorus
The Clapping Song - Raquelita, Casilda, Lola, Ramon, Mendoza
and Chorus
O Foolish Moon - Lucille
It's Aztec Night Tonight - Chorus
Ay-Ay-Ay - Priestess, Dancers and Chrous
Ritual of the Rising Sun - Priestess, Dancers and Chrous
Tango For Two - Mama and Pepe
Toreadors - Pablo, Pepe, Dancers & Chorus
In Love - Raquelita
Principals: 6 female, 7 male
Cast:
Raquelita - a Bella Senorita
Lucille - The Senator's daughter
Mama Inez - Owner of El Rancho Grande
Casilda - Friend of Raquelita
Lola - Friend of Raquelita
Priestess - a Mexican singer
Ramon - otherwise the bandit leader El Zorro
Bernardo - Sergeant of Police
Lopez - Chief of Police
Pepe - Ramon's handyman
Pablo - Ramon's handyman
Senator
Mendoza - Mexican Revolutionary |
Instrumentation:
flute, oboe, 2 clarinets, bassoon, horn, 3 trumpets, 2 trombones, percussion,
5 guitars, reduced brass band, strings
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