Madera Coyote Theater presents ‘Novio Boy’

Wendy Alexander/The Madera Tribune

Rudy (Matthew Ledesma), left, gets dating advice from Alex, (Henry Mercado) during the opening scene of the Coyote Drama Productions presentation of the play, Novio Boy. The play opens March 18 and runs March 19, 24, 25 and 26 at 7 p.m. and will also have a matinee at 2 p.m on March 19 at Coyote Arena Theater, 200 South L Street. Tickets are $10 for adults, students & seniors 55+ are $7. There is a Mexican dinner show on March 25 at 6 p.m., tickets are $20 per person. For more information call: 675-4444 ext. 1163.

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A one-act play in seven scenes, Gary Soto’s Novio Boy is set in a Mexican American neighborhood in a small Central Valley community in California.

The novio of the work’s title means “boyfriend” or “sweetheart,” in Spanish. Novio Boy tells the story of ninth grader Rudy’s first date with eleventh grader Patricia.

The play focuses on his concern about what to say and how to behave during the date, obtaining the money to pay for the date, her anticipation, and his family’s responses to this milestone in his social maturation.

Mixed in with its treatment of typical teenage concerns are allusions to Chicano culture, referencing food, music, and radio programs.