“El Mago de Oz,” a bilingual version of the classic Wizard of Oz story produced by local organization Latino Arte and Culture, returns to Reno Little Theater Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 25 and 26, with additional performances March 9 and 10 at the Brewery Arts Center in Carson City. 

Bilingual plays like El Mago De Oz are accessible and engaging for those who speak only English or only Spanish, using a mix of both languages and action to tell the story, according to Mario DelaRosa, cofounder of the organization.

“Most of Dorothy’s lines, for example, are in English, but then other characters will reply in Spanish,” he said, explaining that being bilingual isn’t required for audiences to enjoy the show. 

After a successful run last year, Director Annamaria Cavallone brought the show back to Reno with the same cast and crew, including Assistant Director Elizabeth Martinez, who Cavallero introduced as her “right hand” person. Martinez joined Latino Arte 17 years ago, in her first theatrical role, as part of the company’s long-running production of “Monólogos de la vagina,” a Spanish-language version of the infamous episodic play by Eve Ensler.

Cavallone and her husband DelaRosa founded Latino Arte more than two decades ago when Cavallone found herself disappointed in the lack of Spanish-language theater in Reno. Since then the pair has produced multiple plays as well as community events like Fiesta on Wells and the Day of the Dead Festival. In 2020, Latino Arte obtained nonprofit status which allowed the organization to become their full-time job and made grant money available for development of the arts in throughout Latino Community. 

Tickets and information available at renolittletheater.org.