COSTA MESA, CA -- South Coast Rep has released the cast list for its contemporary Latino Christmas show La Posada Magica, written and directed by Octavio Solis with songs by Marcos Loya. The 5th annual presentation of the musical starts previews Dec. 11, opens Dec. 13 at 5 PM on SCR's Second Stage and runs through Dec. 27.

This year's cast includes Denise Blasor, Yolanda Lloyd Delgado, Armando Jose Duran, Jorge Galvan, Crissy Guerrero, Benito Martinez, Thom Rivera and Teresa Velarde. Composer Loya will perform his songs on stage with guitarist Mundo Armijo and Lorenzo Martinez.

Developed with $110,000 in grants from the Lila Wallace Reader's Digest Fund, the play is loosely based on the posada, a traditional Christmas observance in Latin America in which community members make a procession through their neighborhood to commemorate Mary and Joseph's search for lodging.

Solis' Man of the Flesh was produced at SCR in 1990 and since then at Teatro Dallas, the Magic Theatre, San Diego Rep and Latino Chicago Theatre Company.

Playgoers attending opening night on Dec. 13 will be treated to a post production party with the cast, creative crew and special guests. Included in the audience will be children from the community who would not otherwise be able to attend. The event will be chaired by Karen Merced Willner and SCR trustees Dr. Pablo Prieto and Socorro Vasquez.Call (714) 708-5555.

-- By Willard Manus
Southern California Correspondent