Norteño

by Paula Cizmar

In NORTEÑO, a dark comedy, an American big box chain tries to build another headquarters in a small town in Mexico just on the other side of the U.S. - Mexico border, where justice is for sale and American companies are eager to buy. Ancient ruins? Damaged water supplies? Who cares? But the exec sent to set up the deal is a shade too corrupt and way too handsy--in fact he never met a women he didn't want to...

In NORTEÑO, a dark comedy, an American big box chain tries to build another headquarters in a small town in Mexico just on the other side of the U.S. - Mexico border, where justice is for sale and American companies are eager to buy. Ancient ruins? Damaged water supplies? Who cares? But the exec sent to set up the deal is a shade too corrupt and way too handsy--in fact he never met a women he didn't want to grope or someone else's property he didn't want to steal. Though the promises from the American company are huge and though the temptations of big bucks are hard to resist, the gringo exec takes one step too far. When he assaults the mayor's daughter, the whole town rises up against him. After everything goes to hell, the question becomes: Can an entire town get away with murder? NORTEÑO is loosely, very very loosely, based on Lope de Vega’s Fuenteovejuna (1612 – 1614).

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Norteño

Recommended by

  • Lainie Vansant: Norteño

    Cizmar has chosen a powerful script and updated it in a powerful way. As a Spanish Golden Age nerd, I really enjoyed the thoughtfulness that went into this script, the distinct voice and relevance that Cizmar brings to the project, and the power of the women in this script. If you want a new take on a sometimes overlooked classic, this is the play for you!

    Cizmar has chosen a powerful script and updated it in a powerful way. As a Spanish Golden Age nerd, I really enjoyed the thoughtfulness that went into this script, the distinct voice and relevance that Cizmar brings to the project, and the power of the women in this script. If you want a new take on a sometimes overlooked classic, this is the play for you!

  • Cheryl Bear: Norteño

    A powerful look into border interests and the ethics surrounding the situation regarding the interest of business and of the wellbeing of the people. Well done.

    A powerful look into border interests and the ethics surrounding the situation regarding the interest of business and of the wellbeing of the people. Well done.

  • Unicorn Theatre: Norteño

    This play was a SEMIFINALIST for the 2019-2020 In-Progress New Play Reading Series at Unicorn Theatre in Kansas City, Missouri. It is our pleasure to support NORTENO.

    This play was a SEMIFINALIST for the 2019-2020 In-Progress New Play Reading Series at Unicorn Theatre in Kansas City, Missouri. It is our pleasure to support NORTENO.

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Development History

  • Type Reading, Organization William Clark Library and Playwrights Arena for Golden Tongues 2,