{"id":382839,"date":"2025-10-22T05:26:09","date_gmt":"2025-10-22T09:26:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dctheaterarts.org\/?p=382839"},"modified":"2025-10-22T14:11:11","modified_gmt":"2025-10-22T18:11:11","slug":"hector-the-electric-kid-goes-from-weird-to-wired-at-gala-hispanic-theatre","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dctheaterarts.org\/2025\/10\/22\/hector-the-electric-kid-goes-from-weird-to-wired-at-gala-hispanic-theatre\/","title":{"rendered":"‘H\u00e9ctor, the Electric Kid’ goes from weird to wired at\u00a0GALA Hispanic Theatre"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Who hasn\u2019t felt alone, out of place, or a little weird at times? H\u00e9ctor, the Electric Kid<\/em> taps into these feelings and explores what could happen when imagination, humor, and a touch of magic help us embrace who we are. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ixchel Hern\u00e1ndez<\/strong> shines as H\u00e9ctor, a curious boy full of questions about himself \u2014 is he tall enough? Why does he have freckles? He watches other kids play but can\u2019t quite bring himself to join in. Supported by his older brother Hern\u00e1n (a charming Camilo Linares<\/strong>) and his kind, practical mother (a warm Nadia Palacios<\/strong>), H\u00e9ctor longs for something more. <\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"
Nadia Palacios, Ixchel, and Delbis Cardona in \u2018H\u00e9ctor, the Electric Kid.\u2019 Photo by Stan Weinstein.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Director Mauricio Pita<\/strong>\u2019s nimble production draws audiences in from the start. In H\u00e9ctor\u2019s living room, fish sway to music and a cute puppet dog, Basta, bounces around the stage \u2014 and even into the audience \u2014 in search of treats. When Mom invites H\u00e9ctor to her job at her auto shop to lift his spirits, the show\u2019s inventive design by Matt Liptak<\/strong> transforms the family dining table into a car complete with wheels and headlights, surrounded by whimsical cardboard cutout vehicles that fill the stage with color and motion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An energetic ensemble featuring Delbis Cardona<\/strong> and Camila Cossa<\/strong> keeps the fun rolling, encouraging the audience to make the sounds of revving engines, screeching brakes, and blaring horns for a raucously good time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One especially clever moment has the cast wearing costumes that spell out the word WEIRD, reflecting H\u00e9ctor\u2019s insecurities \u2014 then shifting letters to form WIRED, signaling his newfound spark. Enter a flamboyant magician (dazzlingly costumed by Rukiya Henry-Fields<\/strong> in a purple cape) who tells H\u00e9ctor that the light he\u2019s searching for is already inside him. Still, H\u00e9ctor must learn that lesson the hard way. A botched attempt to connect car battery cables turns him into a conduit for electricity \u2014 literally wired \u2014 his emotions triggering blackouts whenever he\u2019s overwhelmed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through trial and error, H\u00e9ctor discovers that the wizard was right: his light truly comes from within. His confidence grows as he decides to attend a birthday party, with audience volunteers joining him onstage for cheerful games and sing-alongs.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"
TOP: Camila Cossa, Delbis Cardona, Ixchel (center), Camilo Linares, and Nadia Palacios; ABOVE: Delbis Cardona and Ixchel, in \u2018H\u00e9ctor, the Electric Kid.\u2019 Photos by Stan Weinstein.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Beautifully bilingual, H\u00e9ctor, the Electric Kid<\/em> blends Spanish and English with ease, using playful songs and audience participation to help children learn new words while exploring big emotions. The story\u2019s joyful spirit carries through, though one thread could use a bit more resolution. The program asks, \u201cNow H\u00e9ctor is electric. Can H\u00e9ctor manage his new power?\u201d \u2014 a question the play never fully answers. When H\u00e9ctor\u2019s emotions cause the school\u2019s power to short out, the kids cheer for extra recess, but it\u2019s unclear whether his electricity ever fades or transforms into metaphorical \u201cinner light.\u201d A clearer closing moment showing that he\u2019s truly living from his own confidence would make the ending stronger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This delightful new work is part of GALita<\/strong>, the children\u2019s theater branch of GALA Hispanic Theatre. Since 1980, GALita has created bilingual productions that inspire joy, discovery, pride, and cultural identity in young audiences ages 4 to 12, featuring both new plays and adaptations of classic Latin American stories.With its inventive staging, lovable characters, and heartfelt message, H\u00e9ctor, the Electric Kid<\/em> is a bilingual treat for families \u2014 a story that reminds children (and adults) that being a little \u201cweird\u201d might just be where the magic begins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Running Time: 60 minutes with no intermission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

H\u00e9ctor, the Electric Kid<\/a><\/em><\/strong> <\/em>plays through November 1, 2025, at GALA Hispanic Theatre<\/a>, 3333 14th Street NW, Washington, DC. Purchase tickets ($10\u2013$12) online.<\/a><\/strong> <\/a>For more information, visit galatheatre.org<\/a> or call (202) 234-7174.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This world premiere bilingual musical is appropriate for all ages, aged 5 and up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The cast and creative credits are downloadable here<\/a> (scroll down). <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

H\u00e9ctor, the Electric Kid<\/em><\/strong>
Book and Lyrics by Cornelia Cody (El Salvador\/USA)
Directed by Mauricio Pita (Venezuela)
Music by Aldo Ortega
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Delightful new bilingual musical for young audiences inspires the spark of confidence from within. 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