While JTC’s dark satire The Ministry of Special Cases plays at Milagro, rehearsals are under way for the next and last production in our 31st Season, American Night: the Ballad of Juan José, under the direction of the award winning director of Oedipus el Rey (2012), Elizabeth Huffman.

The play was written as a commission from Oregon Shakespeare Festival by Richard Montoya, and had its premiere in 2010. Montoya is part of the 30 year old comedy troupe Culture Clash, which is known for their exploration of provocative social issues and perspectives (as implied by their name). Currently performing the troupe’s latest work «Muse and Morros» in Boston, Montoya and another CC member, Ric Salinas were recently interviewed by NPR about their history, plays and hilarious responses to «post-colonial trauma.»

The report also features a short clip from Culture Clash’s eponymous 90’s era TV show with a typically irreverent take on immigration. While by all accounts their satire has grown and matured as the troupe’s stagecraft became more formalized, today we look back and share this brief glimpse of the laughs to come.

Check out the video below and join us for American Night: the Ballad of Juan José playing at Milagro April 30 to May 23, 2015.