Holy Tamale

"Tamales are kind of a traditional holiday fare in the community," says El Centro Su Teatro's John Kuebler, "like the equivalent of ham or turkey." So it only makes sense that Su Teatro decided to combine its inaugural Tamale Festival with this year's holiday play, The Miracle at Tepeyac, which is being performed, as usual, in the former Chicano barrio of Auraria.

Kuebler describes Miracle as "a play done in the folk-drama tradition, which is one of the traditions that comes up from Mexico around Christmastime. The tale it tells is of this church that's kind of falling apart, and the community trying to keep it together." It also includes commentary on issues such as cultural identity, immigration, genocide and AIDS, "so it's typical Su Teatro political fare," he adds.

The Tamale Festival takes place between the matinee (3 p.m.) and evening (7:30 p.m.) performances of Miracle, so Kuebler guesses it will start around 4 p.m. and end around 7. The fest and show will both take place in the King Center on the Auraria campus. Admission is free to the fest, which includes a variety of delicious tamales — from entree to dessert — for sale both individually and by the dozen, as well as a tamale tasting, a contest with cash prizes, tamale-making demonstrations and spoken-word tributes. Tickets to Miracle are $15 to $18, with group and family packages available; call 303-296-0219 or visit www.suteatro.org for more information or to purchase tickets.
Sat., Dec. 9, 7:30 p.m.; Sun., Dec. 10, 3 & 7:30 p.m.; Thu., Dec. 14, 7:30 p.m.; Fri., Dec. 15, 7:30 p.m.; Sat., Dec. 16, 3 & 7:30 p.m.; Sun., Dec. 17, 3 & 7:30 p.m.