Culture Clash Marks 40 Years of Giving Voice to Chicano Culture with San Diego Show
The three members of Culture Clash have "given voice to the voiceless, predominantly Latino voices that have been missing in theater, television and film with comedy and satire" while also offering social commentary.
When I first arrived in San Diego from Mexico City in the early 1980’s, I was a little surprised at how different Mexican culture and Chicano culture were. Just like in the United States, in Mexico, there are differences in ways of life depending on what region of Mexico you are from, and then Mexico City is a world unto its own. Mexican American or Chicano culture also has its own distinct vibe.
Thus I was quite interested and intrigued when I first saw the three-man troupe Culture Clash — Richard Montoya, Ric Salinas, and Herbert Siguenza — perform in the late 1980s as they took on timely topics along with highlighting, and cleverly mocking the differences in Latino cultures, as well as the differences between Latino and American or “Gringo” cultures.
Fast forward to 2024, their all new 40th anniversary show, “Culture Clash’s 40th Anniversary Desmadre,” will be presented at the Balboa Theatre on Sunday. According to the theatre’s website, the event marks Culture Clash’s first time performing at the historic Balboa Theatre. During the 1990’s and early 2000’s, Culture Clash performed frequently at the San Diego Repertory Theater and La Jolla Playhouse.
Culture Clash became a favorite for many San Diego theater and comedy fans and developed a large diverse loyal fan base. The trio and its unique brand of satire have not appeared in San Diego since 2010. They will be joined by longtime friend and collaborator Kirk Ward and hilarious standup comedian Mala Muñoz. Michael Roth will accompany Culture Clash on piano throughout the evening.
Culture Clash began in San Franciso in 1984. Known as an innovative Latino/Chicano comedy and theatre group, they presented at the René Yáñez’s Galeria de la Raza in the Mission District. Originally, six members, Culture Clash soon evolved into three members, Montoya, Salinas, and Siguenza.
Salinas and Siguenza came from similar backgrounds as children of immigrants from El Salvador. Montoya was more Chicano royalty as his father, Jose Montoya, was a well-known poet laureate, social activist, and professor at Sacramento State University. The three found their groove together and their chemistry really worked.
They gained a place in the national spotlight with their 1988 play, The Mission. With their wild antics, impersonations, and physical comedy, with influences such as Charlie Chaplin, Bertolt Brecht, Cantinflas, and the Marx Brothers, Culture Clash brought their special blend of social and political satire to several prominent venues on both the East and West Coasts. They also did television specials, including “A Bowl of Beings” for PBS, and they filmed thirty episodes of a comedy series, called, “Culture Clash in AmeriCCa”. In addition, they have appeared separately and together in several movies and short films, and various plays. They have received numerous awards, commissions and grants.
In 2003, they wrote and starred in Chavez Ravine, An LA Ghost Story at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles. Chavez Ravine was also presented in the spring of 2024 at the USC School of Dramatic Arts.
Besides their success and creativity as a group, each one has had successful and creative solo careers.
Siguenza moved to San Diego and began a new chapter here. In 2016, he was named the Playwright in Residence for the San Diego Repertory Theatre thanks to a generous grant from Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. He stayed at the Rep until its unfortunate closing in 2022.
Siguenza is known for having created, produced, and starred in many successful theater productions. Some highlights include, Bad Hombres/Good Wives, Beachtown, Manifest Destinitis, Steal Heaven, El Henry (best new play San Diego Critics Circle Award 2014), and most importantly, A Weekend with Pablo Picasso which he has performed around San Diego and in several cities around the USA. In this play, he displayed his talent as an artist and drew pictures on set. Many of his pieces have been sold.
One of my favorites roles is when he performed as Cantinflas. He was also a short order cook in the movie Larry Crowne with Tom Hanks, and he voiced several characters in the Disney film Coco. In addition, he has produced several Christmas plays at the On Stage Playhouse in Chula Vista.
Salinas has also had a varied solo career. He appeared in the 2014 play, Placas: The Most Dangerous Tattoo, by Paul S. Flores and a one man show, ’57 Chevy, by Cris Franco. He appeared in the films, Encino Man, Hero, and Mi Vida Loca, and like Siguenza, also appeared in Larry Crowne.
Montoya was born in San Diego. His parents were very involved in social activism which prepared him for his life work. Like Siguenza and Salinas, he has had a solo career doing various things. He spent time working with Luis Valdez’s El Teatro Campesino. He was awarded two Annenberg Fellowships through the Sundance Institute. He used one of the grants to transform a play, which originally had been a play created by Culture Clash, into the film, Water and Power, in 2013. Two other plays were, American Night: The Ballad of Juan Jose in 2010 and The River in 2013. He also appeared in the film Nacho Libre. Finally, he created the film Playing with Fire.
The above are highlights of their careers. All three of them have also taught classes at various community colleges and universities.
When asked about the legacy of Culture Clash and reaching a newer generation, Salinas reflected, “Since the very beginning, way back in 1984, four decades ago, I believe we have given voice to the voiceless, predominantly Latino voices that have been missing in theater, television and film with comedy and satire. We have been able to serve as social commentators to so much racism, stereotypes, hatred, misconceptions of being a Latino here in the U.S.
“We have done it through real history but with our Culture Clash point of view; so, in terms of our legacy, we have not changed our point of view or mission statement to always represent the ‘underdogs’ of society. Yes, as I mentioned, predominantly the Latino race, but also those beaten down voices living here in the United States.
“I hope our legacy shows to the many aspiring next generations of Latino artists and future storytellers, that we used authentic portrayals of our many struggles, of our family’s life stories, our joy, our humor, our Latino icons that we may honor and at the same time skewer. Mr. Jose Montoya used to remind us that ‘La Locura Cura.’ May our legacy demonstrate that what we did was worth it because we deserve to be heard and seen.”
Montoya added, “Exposing new generations is a part of it for sure. At the LA show of our play, Chavez Ravine, we saw many families present with three generations — some younger people dragging their parents and some grandparents dragging their teenage grand kids. My 14-year-old who has a high standard from watching every Marvel and DC film and makes animation at a college level was speechless.
“And that’s just what I wanted. He was like dad. That was the best show ever. I was yeah? Can you turn your iPad off for an hour? It’s also about replanting a few flags — our activism and that the social justice part of our work has only grown. It’s no time to be mellowing — all hands-on deck — sharpen those satiric fangs now more than ever. It’s hard to be ironic in an ironic world. “
Siguenza reflected, “The goal is to let our fans know that we are still together, and we still can bring laughter and smarts to the stage! We will be recounting our history through comedy, music and visuals. We are very excited to be performing at the historic Balboa Theater for the first time and hopefully not the last!”
For Siguenza, reaching a newer generation is also done through teaching. He shows Culture Clash skits to his student at San Diego City College where he is currently teaching the History of Chicano(a) Dramatic Arts, and he says he is having a ball. Prior to that, he was an Artist in Residence for Arts Alive at San Diego State University. He teaches playwriting classes at community centers like The Chicano Park Museum and the Cultural Center.
For me, this show on Sunday will definitely be a “desmadre” to be remembered!
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