When "Zoot Suit" reached Broadway
Clip: 10/6/2026 | 1m 12sVideo has Closed Captions
Luis Valdez's "Zoot Suit" was the first Chicano play on Broadway.
After the success of Luis Valdez's play "Zoot Suit" on the west coast, the play was brought to Broadway in New York. When "Zoot Suit" debuted at the Winter Garden Theater in 1979, it became the first Chicano play on Broadway.
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Support for American Masters is provided by AARP, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Thea Petschek Iervolino Foundation, Burton P. and Judith B. Resnick Foundation, The Philip and Janice Levin Foundation,...
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When "Zoot Suit" reached Broadway
Clip: 10/6/2026 | 1m 12sVideo has Closed Captions
After the success of Luis Valdez's play "Zoot Suit" on the west coast, the play was brought to Broadway in New York. When "Zoot Suit" debuted at the Winter Garden Theater in 1979, it became the first Chicano play on Broadway.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship- Well, if the audience in New York is just half as enthusiastic as it has been on the West Coast, "Zoot Suit" will be Broadway's next smash hit.
(indistinct) (people cheering) - [Performer] The Schubert Organization came to see us and said, "We want to bring this show to Broadway."
Okay, let's do it.
(jazz music) - It was earth shattering.
It was a dream come true.
- [Performer] I had never dreamed about going to New York.
New York is a long way, almost all the way to Europe in some ways, in Chicano eyes.
As it turns out, we went to the Winter Garden.
It was a grand old lady.
All the major classics were at the Winter Garden Theater.
Major stars had played on that stage.
So it was a little intimidating to me.
- Hey, let me tell you a little secret, carnal.
This was all very intimidating to this vato.
American Pachuco: The Legend of Luis Valdez
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Discover filmmaker and playwright Luis Valdez, a founding figure of the Chicano Movement. (2m 10s)
NewLuis Valdez's farmworker origins
Video has Closed Captions
Luis Valdez was born in a farm labor camp in Delano, California to farmworker parents. (57s)
Luis Valdez's play commented on identity and assimilation
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Luis Valdez's play, "Los Vendidos," or the sellouts, was a commentary on assimilation and identity. (3m 6s)
Providing Support for PBS.org
Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship
Support for PBS provided by:
Support for American Masters is provided by AARP, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Thea Petschek Iervolino Foundation, Burton P. and Judith B. Resnick Foundation, The Philip and Janice Levin Foundation,...