The story begins at “El Rancho Grande” in a remote part of Mexico. Mama Inez and her son Ramon run a Rancho and guest house out among the cactus and yellow sands of the desert. Ramon (Alias Zorro) is secretly working with his men and Mendoza, a mad but good intentioned revolutionary, to rid the country of a most cruel and corrupt government. This leads them to rob an American Senator and his daughter, Lucille, who they believe are on their way to deliver a substantial amount of money to the evil government.
It is left to Pablo and Pepe, two bumbling simple souls, to escort the stolen goods back to the Rancho so that the bank draft can be found and then used for the Revolution, and not as it was intended. Unfortunately, Lopez, the ruthless and sinister Chief of Police and his young and earnest Sergeant, Bernado, arrive at the Rancho with the bemused Senator and his daughter. Lopez has long suspected that Ramon is in fact Zorro but has been frustrated in his attempts to prove it. He believes that by bringing the Senator and his daughter to the Rancho that they will eventually discover their belongings and prove that Ramon is in fact Zorro. However, Lopez’s plans are again thwarted as Lucille falls under the romantic spell of Zorro and foils the captain’s plans.
As the story unfolds, we will meet Raquelita, Ramon’s fiancé and her two friends, Casilda a sweet natured Senorita and Lola a rather mixed-up young lady. And then it’s on to an Aztec Ceremony where the wonderful voices of the Priestesses ring out over the Mexican desert. But danger is lurking in the darkened temples and a gunshot will shatter the serenity of the ceremony. Much mayhem will ensue, but ultimately good will triumph over evil, and the people of this Mexican village will celebrate as only they know how.
Performed in May 1997 at Benalla Town Hall.
Benalla Theatre Company 