'Chavez Ravine: In 9 Innings'

About Chavez Ravine In 9 Innings, An L.A. Ghost Story

Originally commissioned by Center Theatre Group and premiered at the Mark Taper Forum in 2003, Chavez Ravine by Culture Clash explored the transformation of a growing city and a small, tightly knit neighborhood and cherished barrio initially slated to be an affordable housing project. However, after years of city-wide scandals, the land lay dormant and eventually became the site of Dodger Stadium. For Chavez Ravine: In 9 Innings, selected scenes and allegories of an L.A. ghost story are curated into nine episodes filmed at the Kirk Douglas Theatre and in the empty streets of The City of Angels during the pandemic, incorporating music and featuring archival films, period photos, interviews, and new performances by Culture Clash members Richard Montoya, Ric Salinas and Herbert Siguenza. This digital and cinematic adaptation Chavez Ravine: In 9 Innings is written and performed by Culture Clash and co-curated by Culture Clash and creative collaborator Lisa Peterson.

The cast also includes Gabriela Maldonado and Sabina Zúñiga Varela, along with musicians Vaneza Calderon, Randy Rodarte and Scott Rodarte. The film features new compositions by Sundance composer Gingger Shankar, the classic and seminal voice of Daniel Valdez, as well as recording artists Nancy Sanchez, Gilbert C. Castellanos, and Omar Sosa. Chavez Ravine: In 9 Innings was adapted for the screen by Richard Montoya and edited by Pablo Prietto.

About Culture Clash

Since 1984, Culture Clash (Richard Montoya, Ric Salinas, and Herbert Siguenza) has been creating adventurous works for the national stage. Born in an art gallery in the heart of the Mission District of San Francisco that no longer exists, the performance trio knows about adversity and the need to evolve and find new ways to reach new audiences, especially in these pandemic times. Returning to explore their landmark works with Center Theatre Group has been a lifeline and caps a long creative relationship that has produced important plays for and about Los Angeles.

Other commissioned and produced works for Center Theatre Group include Water & Power, Bordertown Now, American Night, Carpa Clash and Palestine, New Mexico as well as a revival of Chavez Ravine at the Kirk Douglas Theatre. The troupe has also created new works for La Jolla Playhouse, Pasadena Playhouse, The Huntington, Arena Stage, Yale Repertory Theatre, Berkeley Repertory Theatre and The Oregon Shakespeare Festival.

Culture Clash adapted accordingly for these pandemic times by revisiting their works from their anthology of plays. This Chavez Ravine has been especially adapted as a teleplay for the screen and for this moment of reflection in America as an everchanging nation of immigrants and innovation.

Other films from Culture Clash as well as solo works include: Water & Power, Playing with Fire: The Art of Carlos Almaraz (Netflix) and The Other Barrio. Culture Clash members have appeared in and consulted on films such as Coco and Nacho Libre. New works include Suicide on Telegraph for Berkeley Rep.

Watch the trailer