Green Room Theatre Coachella Presents
NOVIO BOY
A play by Gary Soto
About the Play:
“Novio Boy” is a play written by Gary Soto. With the playwright’s permission, the story originally set in Fresno, California, will be relocated to East Coachella Valley. It centers around a young Mexican-American 9th grader named Rudy, who is preparing for his first date with a nice girl who is a junior. Rudy is nervous and unsure of how to act on his date, but with the help of his best friend and his older brother, Rudy begins to gain more confidence.
Throughout the play, Rudy faces a number of challenges, including his lack of money and over-protective mother. But with the support of his family and friends, he learns to navigate these obstacles and gain more confidence in himself.
In the end, Rudy goes on his date with Patricia and it goes well except that half the people he knows, including his mom, show up to observe the date. He realizes that he still has a lot to learn about love and relationships, but another date with Patricia is certain. The play ends with Rudy looking forward to the future and all the challenges and opportunities it holds.
About the Playwright:
Gary Soto is an American poet, novelist, and memoirist known for his vivid and poignant portrayals of Chicano life in California. He was born on April 12, 1952 in Fresno, California and grew up in the San Joaquin Valley. Soto’s mother was a Mexican-American farm worker who struggled to make ends meet, and his childhood experiences deeply influenced his writing.
Soto has been the recipient of many honors and awards for his writing, including the Discovery/The Nation Prize, the United States Award from the International Poetry Forum, and the Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Children’s Video. He has also been awarded fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Guggenheim Foundation.
In addition to his writing, Soto has also been active in the community, working to promote literacy and encourage young writers. He has taught at several universities, including the University of California, Berkeley, and the University of California, Riverside.
Today, Gary Soto is widely regarded as one of the most important Chicano writers of his generation. His work has been translated into many languages, and his writings continue to inspire and captivate readers around the world.
