Coming of age with 'El Último Coconut'

La Luna Nueva  — Miracle Theatre Group's festival of Hispanic arts and culture from around the world in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month — opens in just a couple of weeks, and we couldn't be more excited about the diverse line-up (see the whole schedule in English; vea el horario completo en español).  Our Marketing Assistant Stefanus Gunawan continues his look backstage visits with our guest artists, offering an inside look at their life, their passion, their art.  Here, guest blogger Stefanus Gunawan chats with actor y escritor, Gerarld Alejandro Ford.

In his La Luna Nueva festival show, Gerald Alejandro Ford's one-man Show embarks on the confusing process of defining his identity amid family and school pressures, waging war with his own demons and cultural icons — including his addiction to the online game "World of Warcraft". ¡Venga! at Milagro and watch El Último Coconut at 7 p.m., Monday Sept. 24.  Recommended for ages 12 and older.

When did you begin your acting career?
I have been acting since freshman year of high school, starting with school plays and acting, directing, and producing my own public access T.V. show in Tucson.  Professionally I have been working in Seattle for over two years. My credits include ACT Theater, Outsiders Inn, eSe Teatro, SPF#5 (Solo Performance Festival), and most recently Annex Theatre Company.

I have read that this show was written while you were in Cornish.  How different is the current show from your Cornish days?  What have you done to connect to the audience even more?
At Cornish, the show was still in its workshop stage, and I was making changes up until closing night.  Two years later, I've been able to refine and tighten up the show; there are new jokes, new scenes, new video, and a clearer ending.  Of course, performing for an audience always informs me of what does and doesn't work, and the show will always be evolving.

How do you think the Latino community will react when they see El Último Coconut, and how will the non-Latino community respond?
I always say that you don't have to be Latino to enjoy and relate to the show.  The themes and family dynamics are universal; they just happen to be set in Arizona and with a Chicano family.  Even though there are racial and political topics in the show, I mean to entertain first.  I want my audience to take what they will from the show.

What do you expect high school students will react after watching El Último Coconut?
I hate using the term "coming of age story" to describe my show.  It makes it sound like a Hallmark Channel movie.  High school students will enjoy the bluntness and raunchy humor.  They will especially relate in that this story is about a crucial time in their lives where they have to make decisions that will affect the rest of their life.  Family and people of authority will try to dictate everything they should do, but in the end it's their choice that matters.

This year's La Luna Nueva festival is made possible with the support of PGE Foundation, The Oregonian, Oregon Arts Commission, Regional Arts & Culture Council and Work for Art.  Festival events occur September 14-29, 2012 at El Centro Milagro, 525 SE Stark Street, Portland, Oregon 97214; a complete schedule is available here. Admission varies; several events are FREE. Purchase tickets at 503-236-7253 or www.milagro.org (follow links for "La Luna Nueva" in right-hand sidebar).