Zoot Suit with Live Orchestra

Experience the Orchestral screening of the film Zoot Suit by Chicano director Luis Valdez. This unique event will feature the film accompanied by a live orchestra performing the musical score.

Teatro Caló, with the support of the UC Santa Barbara Department of Music, presents Zoot Suit with Live Orchestra.

Music from the screen comes to life at Lotte Lehmann Concert Hall in this Movie Screening accompanied by a LIVE ORCHESTRA!

Expect vibrant Chicano melodies through a live orchestra, a unique story by Luis Valdez based on real-life events, and an elegant Gala to follow the first performance. The Merengue group, “Los Angelitos Del Mambo”, will be our musical guests at the Gala, turning the courtyard into a dance floor!

Tickets are complimentary to student groups and guests. Limited seats are available.

Friday, May 8, 2026, 7 PM: Registration (recommended) for Friday Night 

Saturday, May 9, 2026, 7 PM: Registration (recommended) for Saturday Night

Zoot Suit (1981), written and directed by Luis Valdez, is a landmark film adaptation of the groundbreaking Chicano stage play of the same name. The film tells the story of Henry Reyna and the Sleepy Lagoon case, dramatizing the events surrounding the 1942–43 Zoot Suit Riots in Los Angeles. Blending historical narrative with music, theatrical performance, and commentary on racism and injustice, Zoot Suit explores themes of identity, discrimination, and cultural resistance within Mexican American communities. The film remains an important work in Chicano theater and film history.

Gala: Best Dressed

Following the premiere performance, treat yourself to our Gala held in the Music Building Courtyard. There will be refreshments, pan dulces, and a 11-piece band serenading the evening event. Please come dressed in your finest “Zoot Suit” attire, and stay till the end of the night for our Best Dressed Competition (+prize included!)

CREATIVE TEAM & ORCHESTRA

This production includes 11 Orchestra members and 11 Production members.

Creative Team: Artistic Director/Production Manager, Mayra Gomez-Labrada; Associate Artistic Director, Sara Soleto; Technical Director, Richard Croy; Bella Roldan; Musical Director and Conductor, Sébastian Nassar; Assistant Producer, Angel-Miguel Lopez; Assistant Designer, Melia Martinez; Arranger, Sam Haupt; Faculty Supervisor, Letty Garcia

Orchestra Members: Piano, Jewel Sutter; Bass, Leah Vasquez; Tenor/Clarinet, Brendan Snow; Trumpet, Brynna Neves; Trumpet, George Aranda Elefante; Trombone/Bass Trombone, Alyx Orellano-Pajulio; Baritone Sax, Ben Lindenburg; Drum Set, Drew Liu; Percussion, Aditya Gunturi; Percussion, Erica Contreras; Percussion, Benjamin Schultz

ABOUT TEATRO CALÓ

Teatro Caló is a UCSB organization dedicated to uplifting traditional and new work by Latino/Chicano artists in a variety of mediums mainly theatre, film, and public community events. Mayra Gomez-Lambrada, who founded the group in 2023, speaks passionately to their “ability to push for no barriers between audiences and their show”, emphasizing the focus on Raza representation and Latino communities being seen. In partnership with the Music Department, with additional support from the Global Latinidades Center, the group is excited to produce its 3rd annual Zoot Suit production!