Jade Esteban Estrada wears a lot of hats in the one-person play,

"Tortilla Heaven," which will be performed tonight at 7:30 p.m. in Branigar Hall at the Museum of Northern Arizona.

     "Tortilla Heaven" is a comedic, yet very real story of first, second and third generation Mexicans trying to relate to one another. The first generation makes home feel more like home, the second generation abandons roots and tries to assimilate in city life and the third generation tries to understand it all, without knowing the language.

     "His whole play is about playing three generations and the different perceptions in the United States," said Stefan Sommer, deputy director for public programs MNA. "He takes on male and female roles across those three generations. It's the interplay among the three generations that creates understanding."

     The museum is hosting the bi-lingual, cross-cultural and multi-generational performance to warm up audiences for the annual Hispanic marketplace, Celebraciones de la Gente, Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 29 and 20 at MNA.

     The play itself is a family thing, written by Estrada's sister, Celeste Angela Estrada, a Latina playwright and directed by his brother David Miguel Estrada.

     Jade Estrada turned down an invitation to be on Saturday Night Live in order to keep his commitment to perform "Tortilla Heaven," here. In a telephone conversation from Miami, Estrada said the play exposes the conflict between assimilation and honoring one's culture.

     "There are so many Hispanics that feel that pressure from both sides," he said. "Pressure to not forget your culture but then you walk outside and it's America."

     Estrada runs his Vicarious Productions out of New York City but lives in Southern California. He will be visiting Flagstaff before weekend appearances in Prescott and Phoenix.

     The play runs about 65 minutes and is scheduled for an early show time so children can join the audience.

     The local Hispanic organization, Nuestras Raices, was instrumental in bringing the performer to town. The group is partnering with MNA to produce Celebraciones de la Gente.