Laughs will roll in from audience members of all ages as Grace Church and

Vicarious Productions present "Tortilla Heaven" performed by multi-talented entertainer Jade Esteban Estrada at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Metropolitan Community Church.

     Written by Estrada's sister, Celeste Angela Estrada, with Spanish and non-Spanish speakers in mind, "Tortilla Heaven" is a solo play that emphasizes the struggle second- and third-generation Mexican-Americans face while torn between assimilation into society and trying to hold onto their culture.

     Estrada plays seven characters in the bilingual play showing the different personalities that make up a traditional Mexican-American family: first generations wanting to make the new world feel more like home; second generations abandoning their roots to adapt to big city life; and third generations trying to understand it all without knowing the language of its people.

     Estrada, a San Antonio native, called the "first gay Latin star" by Out Magazine, has a career that includes stand-up comedy, choreography, acting and singing Latin pop under his own record label. He has appeared on Comedy Central and his music can be heard on "The Shield" on FX.

     Saturday night's performance is a benefit for Grace Church, which holds services in the Metropolitan Community Church sanctuary. Estrada, who takes his act to cities across the country for charities, came to Corpus Christi for a similar event in October 2005 to benefit the Loving Spoonful. He is scheduled to return in April 2008.

    

©2007 Corpus Christi Caller-Times