By Peggy Phillips
Los Angeles, CA (The Hollywood Times) 9/6/25 – CASA 0101 Theatre in Boyle Heights ignites with FERNANDOMANIA, a dazzling ten-minute play festival running from August 29 to September 21, 2025, as part of its 25th-anniversary celebration. Spearheaded by visionary Josefina López, the festival showcases 12 original short plays in English and Spanish (with subtitles), under the direction of Emmanuel Deleage, Carmelita Maldonado, Karla Ojeda, and Vance Valencia.
These bite-sized performances are a burst of heart, humor, and heritage—each one a loving homage to Fernando Valenzuela, “El Toro.” His meteoric 1981 rookie season, crowned with both Rookie of the Year and Cy Young Awards, and a World Series championship, didn’t just mesmerize sports fans, it sparked a cultural awakening known as “Fernandomania.”
I was thrilled to interview cast members, directors, and writers, hearing firsthand how Fernando Valenzuela’s story inspired each performance (interviews available on YouTube link). From the directors’ thoughtful guidance to the actors’ heartfelt portrayals and the writers’ clever, poignant scripts, it was clear that everyone involved carried a deep respect for Valenzuela’s impact on their community and culture.
Edward Navarrete delivered a sincere and compelling performance as Fernando Valenzuela, and his turn as Gabe, the “Chicano,” was downright hysterical. From the moment he walked on stage, Martin Morales completely won me over. Playing five different characters, Morales took the audience on a full emotional journey, he was funny, dramatic, and at one point even brought tears to my eyes. I truly enjoyed interviewing Dr. Connie Valencia, one of the writers for the festival. When I asked her what inspired her piece, she shared a deeply personal story: she realized that her father was always the happiest when watching Fernando Valenzuela play baseball. That simple, joyous connection between her father and “El Toro” became the emotional spark for her writing. Her piece is infused with that same warmth and nostalgia, celebrating not only Valenzuela’s impact on the community but also the intimate, personal moments that define what it means to be a fan and to carry cultural pride through generations. This is a large cast, supported by several talented writers, and every performer and writer brings passion and skill to their work, creating an unforgettable theatrical experience.
For Mexican and Mexican American communities across California, Valenzuela was more than an awe-inspiring athlete. He was a symbol of possibility, a shared point of pride, and the first beloved figure to truly bridge Major League Baseball and Chicano identity. He boosted Dodgers radio exposure in Mexico, drew families to stadiums citywide, and helped redefine representation in sports.
His legacy isn’t just alive in the theatre—it towers along First Street in Boyle Heights via a six-story mural by local muralist Robert Vargas, titled Fernandomania Forever. Vargas began painting the piece the day Valenzuela passed away, turning love, mourning, and hope into living color. Designed as both tribute and altar, with marigolds, candles, and an ofrenda rising at its base, the mural has become a spiritual site for millions who felt seen through “El Toro’s” journey. Eugene Antonio Negrete plays Robert Vargas, the muralist. He brings depth and authenticity to the role, capturing Vargas’s passion, creativity, and emotional connection to Fernando Valenzuela’s legacy. Through Negrete’s performance, the audience sees not just the art itself, but the story, love, and dedication behind every brushstroke.
Why FERNANDOMANIA Is a Must-See? This festival is more than performance; it’s a communal heartbeat. Stories of aspiration, cultural pride, and intergenerational connection weave together to honor a man who lifted a community into the spotlight.
CASA 0101 Theatre was founded in 2000 by playwright and screenwriter Josefina López (Real Women Have Curves); CASA 0101 Theatre has become a vital cultural institution in Boyle Heights. More than just a performance space, it serves as a hub for storytelling, education, and community empowerment. The theater’s mission has always been rooted in representation. Productions often explore the lived experiences of Latinx, immigrant, and underrepresented communities, giving a platform to voices too often overlooked in mainstream theater. Through bilingual and affordable performances, CASA 0101 ensures that the transformative power of live theater remains accessible to audiences across Los Angeles.
Education is another cornerstone of its work. With classes in acting, playwriting, and arts for both youth and adults, CASA 0101 nurtures the next generation of performers and creators, offering pathways into the arts for those who may not otherwise have access. CASA 0101 Theater stands as both a professional stage and a grassroots movement, a testament to the power of art in shaping, reflecting, and uplifting community life in Los Angeles. To hear about the upcoming feature documentary about CASA 0101, check out the interview (in the link).
FERNANDOMANIA is not just theatre—it’s memory and promise woven together. On CASA 0101’s stage, Fernando Valenzuela’s legacy becomes more than stats or highlights; it becomes the story of families, of dreams once thought unreachable, of pride that stretched from Boyle Heights to the world. To sit in the audience is to feel that legacy stir again, alive in laughter, alive in the faces of a community still inspired by “El Toro.” You don’t just watch this festival. You carry it home with you.
Location: CASA 0101 Theatre, Boyle Heights – 2102 East First Street, Los Angeles, CA 90033
Dates: August 29 – September 21, 2025
Tickets: $25.00 per person for General Admission; $22.00 per person for Students and Seniors 60+ and $20 per person for Boyle Heights residents and Groups of 10 of more. Free Parking is available on several streets surrounding the theatre.
To make reservations, donate and learn more: casa0101.org
Enjoy our onsite coverage and interview here:
