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S40E6: American Pachuco: The Legend of Luis Valdez | Clip

When “Zoot Suit” reached Broadway

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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.

TRANSCRIPT

- 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.