Play Synopsis
“Zoot Suit” follows the story of Henry Reyda and the 38th street gang in Los Angeles. The gang was arrested and tried for the Sleepy Lagoon murder during World War II. After attending a party, the 38th is accosted by another gang of white men at the lovers lane “Sleepy Lagoon.” The gangs fight and a man is murdered.
Discriminated against for their Chicano identity and Zoot Suit attire, the 38th is arrested and sentenced to death. The Zoot Suit Riots occur as well and Henry’s brother Rudy is attacked and stripped of his zoot suit.
George, a lawyer and activist Alice work to repeal the charges placed on the 38th gang. Henry is released and the Reyda family briefly reunite before Rudy leaves for the marines. The end of the play alludes to two futures, one where Rudy is killed in the Korean War and another where he marries and has children.
World of the Play
Minorities in the United States during WWII routinely faced racism and discrimination both inside civilian life and the military. The Zoot Suit was created by these opressed men as an act of disobedience and celebration of identity. The suit is made of oversized material and stylized to fit one’s personal style. This was incredibly controversial during the wartime rations of fabric during the war, causing many U.S. soldiers to retaliate against Zoot Suit wearers. This tension exploded into the Zoot Suit Riots of June 1943 where soldeirs and sailors targeted “unpatriotic” Chicanos wearing the suits for over a week. After a shut down of Los Angelas, over 600 Mexican American men were arrested. This led to more controversy as more Chicanos were arrested than soldiers.
The Sleepy Lagoon Trial of 1942-
Following a party and several fights between a Mexican American gang and white gang at a resevoir named the Sleepy Lagoon, Jose Diaz was found dead. Several Mexican Americans were brought in for questioning and over 22 were sentenced. The death of Diaz led to a public outcry against zoot suitors, culminating in the zoot suit riots.
Legacy “An american play”
Zoot Suit is a mix of the acto, mito, corrido styles. It is a documentary play with music, influenced by Brecht and the Living Newspaper style.
Co-produced by El Teatro Campesino and the Center Theater Group of Los Angeles, Zoot suit was the first Chicano play to ever run on Broadway. It ran on Broadway for only four weeks. Audiences enjoyed the piece, but critics in New York were less than enthusiastic. However, Zoot Suit ran in Los Angeles for over 11 months and is often referred to as an integral piece of Chicano art.
In 1981 Valdez directed and adapted the play for a motion picture.