Alma Martinez, a distinguished actress and professor at UCSC, is set to direct the award-winning Mexican play, Between Pancho Villa and a Naked Woman. This compelling work by one of Mexico’s leading modern playwrights has garnered significant acclaim within Mexican theater, celebrated for its witty and insightful exploration of gender issues deeply rooted in Mexican culture.
The play, which achieved remarkable success with its premiere production earning seven awards from the Mexican Critics Association in 1994, including Best New Play of the Year, and later adapted into an award-winning film, will be showcased at the UCSC Mainstage Theater for two weeks, from February 20 through March 2. Martinez, who joined the UCSC theater arts faculty in 2001, describes it as “a contemporary, romantic, feminist comedy” that offers a unique lens through which to understand gender roles and feminist dialogues within the Mexican context.
At the heart of Between Pancho Villa and a Naked Woman is the intricate relationship between Gina, a widowed single mother with a college-aged son, and Alberto, a college professor who portrays himself as a liberal and democratic activist. However, the play cleverly juxtaposes Alberto’s public persona with his private actions, revealing a stark contrast in his personal life. His relationship with Gina exposes a self-centered and sexist attitude, far removed from his professed political ideals.
Alma Martinez’s performance in Mummified Deer, a world premiere directed by Luis Valdez at the San Diego Repertory Theatre, highlights her acclaimed acting career and expertise in bringing complex characters to life.
Martinez elaborates on Gina’s perspective: “Gina is intensely attracted to Alberto, believing herself to be in love, yet their relationship is primarily physical. As the narrative unfolds, Gina begins to seek more profound commitment, envisioning marriage and family. Conversely, Alberto desires to maintain the relationship’s status quo, valuing his freedom and independence.”
Alberto, a historian consumed by his biography of Pancho Villa, a revolutionary icon celebrated for his fight for the working class, adds another layer to the play’s thematic richness. Scenes depicting Gina and Alberto’s relationship in 1998 Mexico City are interwoven with flashbacks to Pancho Villa’s revolutionary era in 1910. Gina’s role in typing pages of Alberto’s book further connects these two timelines.
Martinez points out the parallels between Alberto and his historical subject: “Pancho Villa, known for having multiple wives and numerous children, serves as a paradoxical figure for Alberto. While Alberto strives to emulate Villa’s political stance, he inadvertently mirrors Villa’s personal relationships with women.” This comparison underscores a central theme of the play: the pervasive influence of historical and cultural paradigms on contemporary gender dynamics in Mexico.
Expanding on the play’s broader implications, Martinez explains, “Between Pancho Villa and a Naked Woman functions as an allegory for the deep-seated corruption within the Mexican government, characterized by patriarchal and sexist structures that undermine true democracy. The playwright draws a powerful connection between democracy and femininity, suggesting that a genuine democratic society must embrace feminine principles. While Pancho Villa is a figure admired by both men and women in Mexico, his legacy, as interpreted by the playwright, demands a critical examination of the patriarchal system and its inherent domination of women.”
Alma Martinez’s extensive 25-year career as a professional actress began with her discovery by the renowned Luis Valdez, who cast her in the lead role in his celebrated play, Zoot Suit. Her film credits include notable roles in Under Fire, Barbarosa, Zoot Suit (film adaptation), and Cheech Marin’s Born in East L.A. Her stage performances include collaborations with Academy Award-winner Dianne Wiest and Tony Award-winner Nell Carter, and her recent award-winning performance in Luis Valdez’s Mummified Deer. Her television work includes appearances on Nash Bridges, The Twilight Zone, and General Hospital, and roles in television movies alongside prominent actors.
Holding the distinction of being the first Latina to earn a Ph.D. from the Stanford Drama Department and only the second Chicana in the country with this degree, Martinez brings a wealth of expertise to UCSC. She expresses a particular passion for theater, appreciating it as an actor-centric medium that offers greater artistic freedom compared to film and television.
In her second year at UCSC, Martinez aims to develop courses focusing on Chicano and Latin American political theater. She emphasizes the importance of diversity in theater and sees exposing the community to Chicano and Latino theater as a vital step towards achieving this, especially given the demographic shifts in California.
Tickets for Between Pancho Villa and a Naked Woman are available through the UCSC Ticket Office at (831) 459-2159.
