ZACH Theatre Presents World Premiere of MARIACHI GIRL, 10/5 - 11/4

ZACH, Austin's Theatre and Texas' longest running theatre, in its first youth production of the season, presents the world premiere of MARIACHI GIRL, written by Roxanne Shroeder-Arce, Music and Lyrics by Hector Martinez Moralez, and Directed by Brant Pope.

MARIACHI GIRL is a new bilingual Spanish/English musical for children and family audiences. This is the world premiere production of the play, which had its first reading at Teatro Vivo's 2011 Austin Latino New Play Festival. MARIACHI GIRL is a co-production with ZACH Theatre and Teatro Vivo, in partnership with the University of Texas Department of Theatre and Dance.

Full of vibrant original mariachi music, this play explores how one girl can challenge her identity in a modern society while embracing her rich heritage. Eight-year-old Carmencita dreams of being in her father's mariachi band, but her father insists that mariachi groups should only include men. When Carmencita reads a book about a famous female mariachi, it expands her world and notion of what is possible.

ZACH's Education Director Nat Miller says: "ZACH is partnering with Teatro Vivo to expand our reach in to the Latino community with shows for schools and families. We already have more than 10,000 students from dual language schools attending our school matinees and think it is important for ZACH to produce stories that represent their lives. Teatro Vivo is one of the only bilingual theater companies in Texas, and it is their mission to produce culturally relevant Latino theatre that addresses critical social issues. ZACH is honored to partner with Teatro Vivo to bring more Latino families to ZACH. More than 4,000 students will be attending the production, a large percentage of them from low income schools who will be coming for a reduced cost."

ZACH and Teatro Vivo's production features an all-star cast: Mario Ramirez, Alejandra McGuire, Aisha San Ramon, Sarah Walker, Julian Castillo, & Rupert Reyes with Mariachis: David Perales, Ollin Chavez, Javier Torres, & Miguel Machado.

ZACH's intimate Whisenhunt Stage is located at 1510 Toomey Road (Toomey intersects S. Lamar Blvd. between W. Cesar Chavez and Barton Springs Rd.)

MARIACHI GIRL Premieres October 6. Performances continue through November 4, 2012. Public performances are Friday, October 5 at 7 pm, Saturdays: October 6, 20, 27 at 11 am, and 1 pm, and Sunday, November 4 at 6 pm.

To order tickets call 512-476-0541 ext. 1 or visit www.zachtheatre.org. Children's tickets are $14, and adult tickets are $16. Concessions will be open one hour before showtime. Drinks welcome inside the theatre.

For real-time updates on ZACH Theatre news, events and happenings, visit http://www.zachtheatre.org/blog, be a fan of ZACH Theatre on Facebook, and follow ZACH on Twitter @zachtheatre.

ZACH's production of MARIACHI GIRL is sponsored by Carolyn and Marc Seriff, Silicon Labs, Texas Gas Service, Applied Materials, Dollar General Literacy Foundation, JPMorgan Chase, and Target.

ZACH Theatre is Austin's leading professional producing theatre. Founded in 1932, ZACH is the longest running theatre company in Texas, serving 85,000 adults and youth annually. ZACH creates its own nationally recognized dramatic, musical and comedic productions that elevate, motivate and stimulate the human spirit under the leadership of Producing Artistic Director Dave Steakley and Managing Director Elisbeth Challener. Now in its 80th season, ZACH continues to expand and engage with Austin, adding a third theatre to its Central Austin performance campus. The 420-seat, 32,000-square-foot Topfer Theatre will nearly double ZACH's capacity while retaining its hallmark intimate theatre-going experience upon its completion in the fall of 2012. The Topfer Theatre Campaign has currently raised more than $20 million of its $22 million goal. Visit www.zachtheatre.org for more information.

As a bilingual theater company, Teatro Vivo's mission is to produce culturally relevant Latino theatre that addresses critical social issues. All of Teatro Vivo's productions have Latino roots and branch into every corner of human experience, exploring age-old themes and modern dilemmas. Teatro Vivo serves the community by telling the Latino story, positively reflecting the Latino community and uniquely celebrating the vibrancy of the Latino culture and the power of the human experience. Visit www.teatrovivo.org or contact JoAnn Reyes for information, images and interviews. 512-413-6791 or joannreyes@yahoo.com.