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Baila! Baila! dancers are shown in a Christmas tribute to Italy. They recently performed at the London Summer Olympics.
The ghosts of La Navidad may appear differently to Señora Scrooge than the ghosts of Christmas appeared to Ebenezer Scrooge in the classic telling of “A Christmas Carol,” but their message is the same.
“That love for herself and for her community can change everything,” says Israela Garcia, director of Baila! Baila! Dance Company.
Garcia, who wrote the musical comedy adaptation about 20 years ago, will reprise her role as La Señora, who is miserly and pretentious until the ghosts change her mind and her heart.
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If you go WHAT: “Christmas in New Mexico” presented by Baila! Baila! WHEN: 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8 WHERE: African American Performing Arts Center, 310 San Pedro NE at Expo New Mexico HOW MUCH: $25, tickets available at the door or by calling 505-880-1488. Seating is limited; advance tickets are recommended |
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“She wants to deny her Mexican heritage,” Garcia explains. “She’s a good laugh. La Señora’s mannerisms are off the wall, overly Anglicized, until she slips and says something in Spanish.”
Her denial of herself causes her to be cruel to her employees at the tortilla factory she owns, until she finally comes back to her roots and her community, Garcia says.
The entire cast of more than 70 performers comes on stage to sing and dance with the song, “Love Can Build a Bridge,” which sums up what Garcia intends to say through the musical, she says.
“There’s a final touching scene. We need to convey that message to people all year long,” she says. “I’ve always thought ‘A Christmas Carol’ was so touching and so real – something we need to live everyday.”
Veteran dancer Ulises Rodriguez plays a Bob Crachit-like character, Benito, in the musical.
The play is bilingual, but the meaning of the Spanish words will be apparent to English-only speakers, Garcia says. The popular play was last performed about five years ago.
Señora Scrooge is the second act of the two-act performance that lasts about two hours: “This show is the highlight of our entire year. We have new material for just about everybody,” Garcia says.
The first act features traditional ballet folklorico as well as musical dance tributes to Italy, Vienna and New York.
The company’s colorful costumes and headdresses are made by the dancers’ parents and other volunteers.
Garcia encourages people who want to attend to plan early because the audience seating is limited to 300 people for each of the two performances.
Baila! Baila! has toured the United States and many places around the world, most recently performing at the Summer Olympics in London.
“My favorite part is always watching the kids,” she says. “For many of them, it is the first time for these experiences.”
