Wednesday, September 17, 2003

Elfego Baca returns to Socorro

Socorro Elfego Baca, Socorro's famed lawman, mayor and district attorney of yore, straps on his gunbelt and returns to his hometown on Thursday, Oct. 2. That's when La Compañia de Teatro de Albuquerque presents a play about the lawman at Macey Center.

The show, which begins at 7:30 p.m., is part of New Mexico Tech's Performing Arts Series.

Elfego Baca was a larger-than-life figure who was involved in some of the most dramatic moments of New Mexico history in the latter part of the 19th century and early part of the 20th. Perhaps his most famous exploit came in 1864 when, at the age of 19, he single-handedly held 80 Texas cowboys at bay during a 33-hour gun battle in which he killed four and wounded eight.

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But that was only the beginning of Baca's career. He later went on to become a deputy U.S. marshal, Bernalillo County jailer, sheriff, county clerk, superintendent of schools and district attorney in Socorro County, as well as mayor of Socorro.

Baca was also publisher and editor of the Spanish language weekly La Opinion Publica for almost 20 years.

Playwright Ramon Flores of La Compañia used the life of Baca to explore the complexities of ethnic relations.

"I wanted to explore the conditions of having been cast as the defender of the community at 19 years old and having to live up to that burden for the rest of one's life," Flores said in a press release. "Many in the Hispanic community perceived Baca as the symbol of successful resistance to the onslaught of Anglos and Texans in the late 19th century, but he was also close to many Anglos, including William Keleher and Sen. Bronson Cutting."

Flores, who will play the role of Baca, has been involved in bilingual theater as an actor, producer, writer and director for more than 27 years. He has a bachelor's degree in history and a master's degree in cultural pluralism, both from Stanford University.

Two additional actors round out the play. Dominique Balderrama plays Baca's wife, Francisquita, as well as several incidental characters. A member of the Facio clan of musicians and singers from Albuquerque's North Valley, Balderrama also sings and plays music during the show.

Actor Douglas Dent will play Keleher, Baca's close friend, and other roles, including Pancho Villa.

Elfego Baca was originally produced in March of 2003 for a two-weekend run at the South Broadway Cultural Center in Albuquerque. The Socorro performance is part of a tour of the state.

Tickets to Elfego Baca are $10 for adults, $8 for those over 65 and $6 for those 17 and under. Tickets may be purchased at the door or the New Mexico Tech Bookstore, New Mexico Tech's cashier's window at Brown Hall, Brownbilt Western Wear, Video Tyme, Video Shack and Comcast.

Tickets may also be purchased from the Performing Arts Series Office at pas@admin.nmt.edu or by calling (505) 835-5688.

New Mexico Tech students may pick up their free ticket by showing their ID at the Tech Bookstore.

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