New play by Texas playwrights explores Mexican-American history in Pasadena
HOUSTON, Texas — San Jacinto College South Theatre and Film presents the world premiere of "Secret Menu," a new play by Alicia Margarita Olivo and Brendan Bourque-Sheil, Thursday, Feb. 26 through Saturday, March 7.
The production, directed by theatre and film professor Jonelle Walker, was selected as the winning entry in the college's Local History Play commission, which seeks new works by Texas playwrights about historical events within 50 miles of the San Jacinto College District.
Over the last six months, “Secret Menu” has been developed in collaboration with the playwrights and San Jac students, faculty, and staff to prepare for its world premiere production.
Set in Pasadena, Texas, in 1973 during an oil boom, "Secret Menu" follows Freddy Espinoza, a fourth-generation Tejano fry cook who attempts to honor his family's legacy by adding traditional recipes to his diner's menu. When told his family's food is not "on concept," Freddy creates a secret menu that becomes unexpectedly popular.
"The play serves as a tool to explore truth" about the history of Mexicans and Mexican Americans in Pasadena, Olivo said.
The story is deeply personal for both playwrights. Olivo's parents moved to Pasadena in the 1990s from the Rio Grande Valley.
"I grew up not knowing much about the history of Mexicans and Mexican Americans in Pasadena," she said. "Earlier this year, I learned for the first time about the Deepwater Mexican School Library Station, as well as the presence of Mexican people in Pasadena's historic Crown Hill Cemetery. Some of the people in the Mexican Allotment of Crown Hill were born in the 1880s and died here in the early 20th century, which really shook my understanding of my community and its place in the city's history."
Bourque-Sheil said the play helps audiences understand contemporary Houston through its history.
"Secret Menu is set in the early 1970s, which was a genuinely fascinating time for Houston," he said. "While other American cities were shuttering, Houston was growing, sprawling, innovating and reinventing itself all at once."
The production features what Bourque-Sheil describes as a "shapeshifting, Brechtian chorus" that breaks the fourth wall and transforms into historical figures and country music stars.
Olivo is a Houston-based writer, director and producer who serves as consultant for special projects at Benvenuti Arts. Her other works include "Flood," an O'Neill National Playwrights Conference semi-finalist in 2023.
Bourque-Sheil's plays have been produced at Houston's Stages Theatre and The Landing Theatre Company, as well as in New York City, Chicago, Cincinnati and Ann Arbor. He has been a finalist for the O'Neill National Playwrights Conference and the Reva Shiner Comedy Award.
The play will be developed in collaboration with San Jacinto College students, faculty and staff leading up to its premiere.
For more information, visit the San Jacinto College South Theatre & Film website or contact Jonelle Walker at jonelle.walker@sjcd.edu.
When:
Thursday, Feb. 26 through Saturday, March 7
Where:
San Jacinto College South
Flickinger Fine Arts Center
Black Box Theater (S15.135)
13735 Beamer Road
Houston, Texas 77089
Tickets:
Tickets are $3 for San Jacinto College students, $5 for faculty and staff, and $7 for community members. Tickets are available at sjcstheatrefilm.ludus.com.
Written by:
Brendan Bourque-Sheil and Alicia Margarita Olivo
About San Jacinto College South Theatre & Film
The San Jacinto College South Campus Theatre and Film program is your gateway toworking in the entertainment industry and beyond. From performer to camera operator, our program prepares you for any role. Explore our opportunities or join in the audience at our next show.
About San Jacinto College
Surrounded by monuments of history, evolving industries, maritime enterprises of today,
and the space age of tomorrow, San Jacinto College has served the people of East Harris
County, Texas, since 1961. The College is ranked second in the nation among more than
1,100 community colleges, as designated by the Aspen Institute and was named an Achieving
the Dream Leader College of Distinction in 2020. As a Hispanic-Serving Institution
that spans five campuses, plus an online college, San Jacinto College serves approximately
45,000 credit and non-credit students annually. It offers more than 200 degrees and
certificates across eight major areas of study that put students on a path to transfer
to four-year institutions or enter the workforce. The College is fiscally sound, holding
bond ratings of AA+ by Standard & Poor’s and Aa2 by Moody’s. San Jacinto College is
accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
