Theatre in Mexico City?

[drewmangroup]

Posted: 6/25/11 at 8:30pm

Hello, I will spending a week in Mexico City in August and would like to experience some live theatre. I speak and read and write Spanish, but my googling has not gotten me far - probably as it is going through US filters. I found Ticketmaster Mexico, which has current listings, but nothing yet for August. If anyone has information or can guide me to information, it would be greatly appreciated. Information on Cuernavaca is welcome also, though I realize that city is much smaller.
Updated On: 6/25/11 at 08:30 PM

[My Oh My]

Posted: 6/25/11 at 9:06pm

Currently, there doesn't seem to be anything that really interests me playing there. Here's the official site for Mexico City's biggest performing arts organization:

http://www.mejorteatro.com.mx/

Here's a listing of past OCESA productions:

http://www.mejorteatro.com.mx/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=203&Itemid=28

I believe A Chorus Line and the original production of Beauty and the Beast most recently played at their official venue, Centro Cultural TelMex in the heart of el distrito federal.

Looks like they will be staging Peter Pan next.

Two plays are such hits there, they've been playing non-stop for over ten years each--The Vagina Monologues and Defending the Caveman, which still stars the original actor who opened the play there more than ten years ago!

[JeffDaEgg2]

Posted: 6/26/11 at 2:55pm

I live in Mexico City and can help you out. What kind of shows are you looking for? Do you prefer musicals or plays? How many do you want to see while you're here? A few that will be playing here off the top of my head are:

-Mentiras
-Peter Pan (it opens August 10th)
-God of Carnage (this is in Santa Fe, which is a pain to get to depending on where you are staying)
-Toc Toc
-Spamalot
-Maybe "Si Nos Dejan" but I am not sure exactly when it is opening (this is a Mexican jukebox musical using classic Mexican songs)
-Lots of independent shows going on through the city, as always
-etc

It really depends on what kind of show you want to see, but I definitely recommend seeing Mentiras. It is a jukebox musical using '80's Mexican diva songs and it is a HUGE hit here. Even if you don't know a lot of the songs it is still a lot of fun. There should be more plays playing here, too, as some just closed, but I am not sure what is replacing them yet.

As far as tickets, you don't really have to worry about buying them much in advance, as people usually buy them last-minute here. You can also get some good discounts, especially for OCESA shows if you plan accordingly. Let me know what your tastes are and I can help you more if you want. Enjoy your trip!

[sergio_27]

Posted: 6/26/11 at 4:38pm

There are also productions of "A Steady Rain" and "Agnes of God" with popular telenovela actors and an independent production of Little Shop of Horrors. You could also see "Tiro de Gracia", by a Mexican playwright and starring one of the best Mexican comedians, playing only Mondays.

"Mentiras" is great, but it would help if you knew the songs. You could listen to it beforehand. I found "God of Carnage" hilarious, but it's true that now it's playing far away from the rest of the theaters. "Spamalot" should be very funny as well but the jokes have been adapted to Mexican humor.

[JeffDaEgg2]

Posted: 6/26/11 at 4:47pm

A Steady Rain is closing on July 3rd, I believe, so that won't be an option in August. I would recommend "Almost, Maine" as it is a good production in my opinion but that will be closed by the time you come.

[sergio_27]

Posted: 6/26/11 at 5:46pm

That's true, the ads does suggest that. Didn't it open just a month ago? :S

I just read that "Red" is opening on August 5th. I think you'll be safe to wait, as Jeff said. Then you'll know for sure what's available.

[JeffDaEgg2]

Posted: 6/26/11 at 6:01pm

Yeah, it only lasted 6 weeks :-/ Then again, based on the Youtube clips, I am not surprised! They should have gotten real actors.

oooooooo, Red! Awesome! What theater is it going to play in?

[sergio_27]

Posted: 6/26/11 at 6:14pm

Red is going to play in the Teatro Helenico, starring Victor Trujillo.

I was looking for information about Driving Miss Daisy, which I remembered was going to open in July, and I found out this article that says the same team is staging now Red instead.
Regresa Víctor Trujillo como Mark Rothko al escenario teatral

[JeffDaEgg2]

Posted: 6/26/11 at 6:28pm

Thanks for the link! Looking forward to finally being able to see that play.

[drewmangroup]

Posted: 6/27/11 at 9:31pm

Thanks everyone for your help. I was not getting anywhere googling, which dumbfounds me. Think I will go for "Red" and probably Mentiras.