Crossings Borders – The Revenge of Huitlacoche

ODC Theater, arm-in-arming with EastSide Arts Alliance in Oakland present José Navarrete in The Revenge of Huitlacoche/La Venganza de Huitlacoche, a cultural herbicide of sorts, cross-pollinating expressions of “MesoAmerica” (Catholic-Mexican), U.S. gay, modern dance, activism, and technology, telling the story of a global superpower culture-of-death which now in our midst is a part of our collective (dis)belief. Which way will we turn?

Huitlacoche is a fungus which grows on corn. In Mexico it is considered a delicacy and in America it is a pest which must be killed. GMO techniques are employed to eradicate the planet of this cultural controversy. Navarrete brings Huitlacoche to life as a prophet, a seer being persecuted as an immigrant, a gay, and an artist in the United States. Teetering atop a two-by-four in the back alley we see the conflict; a life affirming past where Huitlacoche can flourish, or toppling over to the other side where he will be met with his ultimate death - extinction.