Latino Comedy Project: "BARRIO DAZE" A Solo Comedy by Adrian Villegas

NOTE: This performance will be free and open to the public. Seating will be on a first come, first seated basis. Doors will open shortly before the performance, so please arrive early to secure seating.

_______________________________________________________

Minority communities everywhere are under attack.

In the one-man comedy "Barrio Daze,” the ‘hood strikes back.

Following the critical and commercial success of “Gentrif*cked” and "Estar Guars!," the Latino Comedy Project and the University of Texas' English Department's School Of Performance Philosophy present an encore of LCP Artistic Director Adrian Villegas’ critically-acclaimed solo comedy “Barrio Daze" for ONE SHOW ONLY in the F. Loren Winship Drama Building LAB Theater!

Set against the backdrop of a tumultuous national election, "Barrio Daze" is a sprawling and irreverent one-man tour through a single day in the barrio.

Click here to read the “Dallas Morning News” Oct. 16, 2023 article: “‘Barrio Daze’ a timely political comedy as election season nears”

Click here to listen to NPR’s 2017 “Arts Eclectic” segment on “Barrio Daze"

In a God's-eye-view of barrio life, Villegas brings to vivid life a gallery of nine unforgettable characters ranging from a hopeless panhandling borrachón (drunk) to an unlikely Chicano U.S. Senate hopeful.

On a fateful Election Day, the diverse lives of "Barrio Daze"'s characters overlap and collide in surprising ways, culminating with the outcome of a heated Senatorial race between a well-funded, rabidly conservative good-'ol boy politician and the inspiring grass-roots campaign of a humble Chicano school teacher.

Other "Barrio Daze" characters include a sage yet amusingly quick-tempered Tex-Mex bus driver; a clueless burger-flipping high-school drop-out; a hard-working undocumented immigrant; and a culturally conflicted Hispanic "coconut" in the employ of a prominent right-wing politician.

"Barrio Daze" mixes cultural humor and pointed social commentary for a fast-paced, laugh-out-loud funny portrait of Latino life in America, offering a message of defiance and uplift to a community under siege.

In “Barrio Daze,” hope comes to the ‘hood.

( NOTE: "Barrio Daze" is PG-13 and contains some mature language and themes.)

ABOUT ADRIAN VILLEGAS

In addition to his acclaimed solo work, Adrian Villegas is also a writer, performer, and Artistic Director of The Latino Comedy Project (LCP), an Emmy-nominated multimedia sketch troupe whose show “Gentrif*cked” was called "a satirical masterpiece" and received "Best Of Austin" recognition from the Austin Chronicle, while their popular political sci-fi parody "Estar Guars!" was called "one of the funniest live shows I've ever seen."

The LCP’s YouTube comedy videos have received over fourteen million views worldwide and a comedy ad campaign they created for MTVTres was nominated for an Emmy Award.

Austin City Council member Jose Velasquez and the City of Austin recently honored the LCP's rich 25-year contribution to the city's cultural life by declaring March 7, 2024 Latino Comedy Project Day.

F ollow Adrian Villegas and The Latino Comedy Project on Instagram! @adrian.d.villegas @latinocomedyproject

LCP On Social Media: linktr.ee/latinocomedyproject

Adrian Villegas On Social Media: linktr.ee/adrian.d.villegas

Live performance photos by Ulises Garcia and James WIlkus.

CRITICAL PRAISE FOR “BARRIO DAZE” & THE LATINO COMEDY PROJECT

 "'Barrio Daze' is both absurdly funny and dead-on insightful…A series of damn funny and poignant sketches…This is laugh-out-loud material. Adrian Villegas is truly a gem." - The Austin Chronicle

 "Adrian Villegas is an intelligent playwright and an exciting performer." - The Austin-American Statesman

 "'Barrio Daze' is a free-for-all of social satire...The only answer is helpless laughter. Mr. Villegas' gift is in making we, the different people, laugh together." - The Dallas Morning News 

"Amazing script and wonderful direction...One of the funniest live shows I’ve ever seen." - CTX Live Theatre review of "Estar Guars!"

If ‘laughs per minute’ is still any measure of a great comedic performance, 'Gentrif*cked' is in rarefied air. To be both hilarious and sad at the same time… that’s the mark of a satirical masterpiece.” - CTX Live Theatre

IMPORTANT EVENT NOTES:

COST: This event is FREE. Eventbrite ticketing is an RSVP to the event, and does not guarantee seating.

SEATING: Seating will be limited (first come, first served). Arriving early to guarantee preferable seating is highly encouraged.

DOOR TIMES: House doors will open 15 minutes prior to the performance.