By the Hand of the Father
Encyclopedia
By The Hand of the Father is an original theatrical work that combines spoken word, music, and video to dramatize the unique 20th century journey of the Mexican-American father.
The productions original music by singer/songwriter Alejandro Escovedo
, is interwoven with stories written by Theresa Chavez, Oscar Garza, Eric Gutierrez and Rose Portillo; and video by Janice Tanaka. It is directed by Theresa Chavez, Artistic Director of About Productions; and produced by About Productions, a Los Angeles-based theater company; and Paula Batson Productions, an independent production company focusing on music projects.
Premiering in June, 2000, at Plaza de la Raza’s Margo Albert Theatre in Los Angeles, it has played numerous venues throughout the U.S., and in Canada. It was featured in the 2002-03 season of Austin City Limits
--the first time the long-running PBS music show has presented a theatrical work.
Performances of By The Hand of the Father have been presented at The Getty Center, Los Angeles (March 2001); the Autry National Center, Los Angeles (2001); 24th Street Theatre, Los Angeles (April 2001); Mexican Fine Arts Center Museum, Chicago (May 2001); Seattle Experience Music Project, Seattle, WA (July, 2001); the High Performance Rodeo in Calgary, Alberta (Jan, 2002); the Banff Centre for the Arts in Alberta, Canada (Jan, 2002); Texas Union Theatre, Austin (June, 2002); Luckman Center for the Arts, Los Angeles (July 2002); and Gammage Auditorium at Arizona State University (April, 2003).
During Escovedo’s battle with Hepatits C, the production was fronted by either Rosie Flores or Rick Treviño at the following venues: International Hispanic Theatre Festival, Miami/Ft. Lauderdale (June, 2003); John Anson Ford Amphitheatre, Los Angeles (June, 2003); Merced Playhouse (October, 2003); George Mason University, Wash., D.C./Fairfax (Oct 2004); Mondavi Center @ UC Davis, (Oct 2004); Luther Burbank Center, Santa Rosa (Nov 2004); University of Arizona (Nov 2004); and the National Ensemble Theatre Festival (June, 2005).
Escovedo returned to the production in 2006 for performances at University of Texas, Brownsville (April, 2006), and University of Texas, Austin (April, 2006).
In 2002, the CD of songs and stories from the original theaterwork was released and included guest artists Pete Escovedo
, Rosie Flores
, Ruben Ramos
and Cesar Rosas
(of Los Lobos
).
The productions original music by singer/songwriter Alejandro Escovedo
Alejandro Escovedo
Alejandro Escovedo is an American singer-songwriter.-Biography:The son of Mexican immigrants to Texas, Escovedo is from a family that boasts several professional musicians, including brothers Coke Escovedo and Pete Escovedo, and Sheila E...
, is interwoven with stories written by Theresa Chavez, Oscar Garza, Eric Gutierrez and Rose Portillo; and video by Janice Tanaka. It is directed by Theresa Chavez, Artistic Director of About Productions; and produced by About Productions, a Los Angeles-based theater company; and Paula Batson Productions, an independent production company focusing on music projects.
Premiering in June, 2000, at Plaza de la Raza’s Margo Albert Theatre in Los Angeles, it has played numerous venues throughout the U.S., and in Canada. It was featured in the 2002-03 season of Austin City Limits
Austin City Limits
Austin City Limits is an American public television music program recorded live in Austin, Texas by Public Broadcasting Service Public television member station KLRU, and broadcast on many PBS stations around the United States...
--the first time the long-running PBS music show has presented a theatrical work.
Performances of By The Hand of the Father have been presented at The Getty Center, Los Angeles (March 2001); the Autry National Center, Los Angeles (2001); 24th Street Theatre, Los Angeles (April 2001); Mexican Fine Arts Center Museum, Chicago (May 2001); Seattle Experience Music Project, Seattle, WA (July, 2001); the High Performance Rodeo in Calgary, Alberta (Jan, 2002); the Banff Centre for the Arts in Alberta, Canada (Jan, 2002); Texas Union Theatre, Austin (June, 2002); Luckman Center for the Arts, Los Angeles (July 2002); and Gammage Auditorium at Arizona State University (April, 2003).
During Escovedo’s battle with Hepatits C, the production was fronted by either Rosie Flores or Rick Treviño at the following venues: International Hispanic Theatre Festival, Miami/Ft. Lauderdale (June, 2003); John Anson Ford Amphitheatre, Los Angeles (June, 2003); Merced Playhouse (October, 2003); George Mason University, Wash., D.C./Fairfax (Oct 2004); Mondavi Center @ UC Davis, (Oct 2004); Luther Burbank Center, Santa Rosa (Nov 2004); University of Arizona (Nov 2004); and the National Ensemble Theatre Festival (June, 2005).
Escovedo returned to the production in 2006 for performances at University of Texas, Brownsville (April, 2006), and University of Texas, Austin (April, 2006).
In 2002, the CD of songs and stories from the original theaterwork was released and included guest artists Pete Escovedo
Pete Escovedo
Peter "Pete" Michael Escovedo is a Mexican-American musician percussionist.-Biography:With his two brothers, Pete formed Escovedo Bros Latin Jazz Sextet, before Santana hired Pete and Coke Escovedo for his group.He led the 14-24 piece Latin Big band Azteca.Father to musician Sheila Escovedo, aka...
, Rosie Flores
Rosie Flores
Rosie Flores is a rockabilly and country music artist of Mexican American heritage. Her music blends rockabilly, honky tonk, jazz, and Western swing along with traditional influences from her Tex-Mex heritage...
, Ruben Ramos
Ruben Ramos
Ruben Ramos, also known as El Gato Negro, is an award-winning American Tejano music performer. Beginning his music career in the late '60s, Ruben fame as has grown throughout the years as he formed his own distinct sound of music. In March 1998, Ruben was inducted into the Tejano Music Awards Hall...
and Cesar Rosas
Cesar Rosas
César Rosas is a singer, songwriter and guitarist for Los Lobos. Rosas also participates in the Latin supergroup Los Super Seven. Perhaps the most recognizable member of Los Lobos, Rosas is known for his trademark black sunglasses and slicked-back, black hair. His singing voice is reminiscent of...
(of Los Lobos
Los Lobos
Los Lobos are a multiple Grammy Award–winning American Chicano rock band from East Los Angeles, California. Their music is influenced by rock and roll, Tex-Mex, country, folk, R&B, blues, brown-eyed soul, and traditional Spanish and Mexican music such as cumbia, boleros and norteños.-History:The...
).