Alejandro Torres, a San Francisco native, directed the West Coast premiere of ‘Goat Blood,’ a queer horror-comedy that explores the mythical El Chupacabra. The play, which opened on June 27, is a testament to the city’s artistic spirit and defiance against anti-Latine and -queer bigotry.
Challenging the Status Quo
Torres, who has worked with Theatre Rhino before, appreciated the play’s depiction of an entity that is both mythical and grounded in reality. The story follows two men, Owen and Pablo, as they navigate a failed double-date and encounter the legendary ‘goat-sucker’ of Latine folklore.
The play also takes an irreverent look at the ‘horrors’ of modern dating, with Torres drawing from his own experiences and those of his single friends. Despite the challenges of working with a smaller cast and stage, Torres considered the limitations an opportunity to highlight the more horrific, dramatic, and sexier moments of the show.
Artistic Expression in the Face of Adversity
Torres’ production of ‘Goat Blood’ is a testament to the power of artistic expression in the face of adversity. In a city where artists are often priced out of venues, Theatre Rhino’s West Coast premiere is a beacon of hope for the local arts community.
‘In telling our stories, in spite of the potential repercussions, we are refusing complacency, complicity, and are rejecting erasure,’ Torres said. ‘We’ve always been here, and we’re here to stay.’
Original reporting: Mission Local — read the source article.
