Meet The CAST
Pedro Navaja Played by
Alejandro Rey
The top mobster in Mexico City whose influential connections in politics, law enforcement, and the courts have allowed him to operate his gambling racketeering, prostitution, and illicit goods with almost complete impunity. Highly feared and respected in the Mexican gangland, Pedro ruled his enterprise with an iron fist. He is savvy, calculating, and charismatic. His charm has served him well over the years. No one questioned his motives or dared to get in his way. As his success grew, so did his confidence. No one could ever touch him and he always managed to get what he wanted except the heart of his obsession, Salome--a crutch which will eventually be his undoing.
La Guera Salome played by
Ariela Conde
The star performer at Salon Mexico and Pedro’s personal obsession. Growing up in the poor rural area of Mexico’s farmlands, she had spent years working to help support her family while her father worked in the US under the bracero program. During the day, she works as a waitress for a local restaurant while she spends her evenings at Salon Mexico singing and dancing for the audience. One evening she caught the attention of Pedro whom she fell deeply in love with after spending some time in a relationship. Deep down she knows it would be impossible for her to become Pedro’s only love. She feels obligated, especially since he had helped her family during the lowest point in their lives. Despite the love she feels she also fears him, consequently she appeases him whenever he arrives at the club. Tired of her struggles and the gang violence throughout the city, she dreams of leaving for the US to become a Hollywood star of the stage and the silver screen.
Juanito Alimaña played by
Eric Arias
The second most powerful mobster in Mexico City and bitter rival to Pedro Navaja’s operations. Growing up in the same barrio, Juanito’s ambition is matched only by his hatred of Pedro. Ever since Pedro took control of the main commercial district of Mexico City and formalized his relationship with key players in the government’s bracero program, for which Juanito had been vying, he has since been looking for an opportunity to take Pedro down. When he discovered Pedro’s relationship with a local dancer, Salome, was souring, he saw a chance to give his rival some well-deserved payback.
Tun Tun played by
Luis Alberto Tlacuatl
Another player in the gangland, Tun Tun is a mobster who runs his smuggling operations from the rural areas up through the US border trafficking in goods and cheap labor taking advantage of the bracero program ever since it started. He’s a bit of a hot-head with a large ego. He takes pride in his appearance, taking care to wear the latest in fashion and always brandishing his bling acquired through his many smuggling dealings. Pedro and Juanito have both used his connections for their private enterprises but have never really earned their respect. His success in the smuggling business has earned him a place among the certain corners of the high society who have benefited from his business ventures.
Alberto Torres played by
Jesus Rodriguez
He is the Master of Ceremonies for Salon Mexico for the entire play who provides brief exposition for the audience in between acts. He’s a kind and charismatic MC with a smooth, jazz-like voice introducing the musical acts and is always the person with the inside information on the gangland dealings throughout Mexico City. Both mobsters and civilians alike turn to him on the latest gossip in the city. He’s been around the scene long enough to earn the respect of all the mobsters in the city. As an unspoken rule in the gangland, no one touches him.
Maria played by
Imelda Manzo
In “Who Killed Pedro Navaja?," Maria shines as one of Salon Mexico's captivating dancers, mesmerizing both mobsters and Pachucos. Beyond the glamour, she's Salome's devoted friend, shielding her from lurking dangers. Immersed in rhythmic melodies, Maria finds escape in dance, yet her carefree exterior conceals a vigilant protector. As Pedro's unsettling obsession unfolds, Maria becomes Salome's shield against his overpowering fixation. Her character, a blend of grace and resilience, embodies friendship and the courage to confront darkness. In the unfolding plot, Maria's loyalty and determination will shape Salome's fate and unravel Pedro's mysterious demise.
Sasha played by
Aranzazu Hernandez
Meet Sasha, the sultry and bold Pachuca at the heart of *Who Killed Pedro Navaja?* The Musical. With her irresistible 1940s salon glamour and electrifying style, Sasha commands attention in every room she enters. Her vibrant fashion is only rivaled by her mesmerizing dance moves, a mix of mambo and cha-cha-chá that leaves her admirers breathless. In the gritty underbelly of the Barrio, she thrives among the sharp-dressed, streetwise Pachucos like Juanito Alimaña, flirting with danger and ambition at every turn. Even Cumbias, Juanito's stoic and formidable bodyguard, finds himself drawn to her allure, making Sasha more than just a player in this perilous world—she’s a rising star. Her charm and fierce spirit carve a path through the chaos of Salon México’s Pachuco scene, where survival means seduction and every step is a dance between life and death.
The Bartender played by
Eliezer Marquez
I work at Salon Mexico where the Mambo, the Cha cha and the Danzon beats vibrate through the night. I'm a friend to Pedro Navaja. Consider me his ears and eyes when he's not there . I'm the ace under his sleeve. As a Bartender I know all the ins and outs of everybody's business, specially Pedro's. All I need do is serve the drinks and the information comes to me like gold. My friend Pedro Navaja is about to be ambushed. Come and help me save Pedro Navaja at Salon Mexico. First drink's on me.
Hector Lavoe played by
Adolfo Marin
Adolfo es Hector Lavoe un cantante muy reconocido y es invitado a cantar a Salón Mexico acompañado de la Sonora Matancera unos de sus temas como; Calle Luna Calle Sol, y la cancion que le compuso a su amigo Juanito Alimaña, Salón Mexico es el lugar perfecto donde se reúnen pachucos a buscar mujeres de la vida alegre y pasar una noche divertida bailando y tomando, En el Barrio hay dos bandas de Pachucos que las lideran Pedro Navaja y Juanito Alimaña y se dan cita en el Salón Mexico para hacer sus negocios sucios y para disputarse el amor de la Güera Salome
La Puchi played by
Jessica Aguirre
Meet La Puchi, a woman full of life, who loves music and dance. This exuberant woman is a Pachuca who is in the look of true love and the opportunity to leave the dangerous streets of El Barrio and the dangerous night life she lives in Salon Mexico. Puchi has to work and bring money to support her mother and disable sister. Puchi dreams of being a successful woman and owing her own fashion business. Puchi’s ultimate goal is to escape from The Madame, the matriarch who supervises Pedro Navaja’s prostitutes. Come and follow Puchi in Who Killed Pedro Navaja?
Maximo "El Pachuco" played by
Max Esquivel
Maximo, known as "El Pachuco," is a charismatic and lively dancer recognized for his flamboyant moves and fondness for tequila. Despite his inclination towards indulgence, he remains fiercely loyal to his boss and committed to his gang. Having grown up in the vibrant streets of the barrio, Maximo learned early on the value of brotherhood and standing up for one's principles.
El Pachuco serves as both a source of comic relief and a formidable ally in times of conflict. His electrifying dance moves inject energy into every scene, while his steadfast loyalty enriches the dynamics of the characters. Whether he's participating in a dance-off or a brawl, Maximo El Pachuco's presence is bound to enthrall audiences and leave them clamoring for more.
Chuy played by
Ernesto Estrada
My name is Chuy, the relentless right hand man of Pedro Navaja, renowned for my prowess as a Pachuco, a master of both style and action. When I grace the scene, hearts race and pulses quicken; those who dare to cross my path better be prepared to dance with danger, for I am the embodiment of elegance and eloquence, draped in the rhythmic allure only a true Pachuco can deliver. With blades at my side and guns at the ready, I navigate the bustling streets of Mexico City into Salon Mexico, where every corner holds the promise of adrenaline-pumping excitement. Join me in a world where the thrill of the chase never fades, and the echoes of our exploits reverberate through the night!
Hitman No. 5 played by
Darryl Jackson
Hitman No.5 was on a top secret government hit team. They called themselves, "The Boogaloo Assassinators." No one knew his real name, but the team called him Hi-5 for short. Their hits were well choreographed. Disguised as a 2 man DJ team. They would entertain guest with hit music at events that they're targets would attend. The DJs would wait for their target to move in to the perfect position. Then the DJ hitman would play the cue song for the dancing hitman to mambo into the perfect position to make his hit. "BANG," perfectly timed with the accent of the music. Everyone stopped dancing in confusion. Was that the music or was it an actual gun shot? Then they noticed the body on the floor. In a panic, everyone trys to leave but the event quickly gets put on lock down. Security was trying to find the person and the weapon responsible for the hit. No weapons were ever found and everyone was cleared to leave. Hi-5 walked through security with the weapon right under their noses or should we say, "right under his nose?" At a glance it only appears that Hi-5 was enjoying a fat Corona Gorda Cigar. But wrapped in the tobacco lies a 45 caliber cannon. This is a loaded cigar but you won't be laughing when it goes off. Hi-5 was in need of a vacation. Believe it or not, choreographing and staging hits was a stressful business. He decided to take a little vacation south of the border. There was a hot spot called Salón Mexico, where the music was good, plenty of action and he always had a few girls ready to receive him. Sunshyn & La Luna were his favorite. Salón Mexico was like walking into the wild west, lawless. The gangsters ran the show there. No sweat for Hi-5, he worked for the largest gang on earth, "The US Government." He actually laughs at knives and guns. He only brings a cigar to a gun fight. The last thing you will ever see is a puff of smoke. Have you ever heard the phrase, "He got smoked"? You can thank Hitman No.5 for that one. Back at Salón Mexico, Hi-5 was approached by the barrios top Pachuco with a job offer. Pedro Navaha told Hi-5, I know what you do and I want you on my side... That's all I can tell you for now. I heard there's a musical in the works to tell the story. I think you should check it out for yourself. Oh yeah! One last thing. "Mete la mano en el bolsillo, saca y abre tu cuchillo y ten cuida'o."
La Pelangocha played by
Veronica Alvarez
In the heart of a bustling city, amidst the neon glow of nightlife, there existed a figure unlike any other: La Pelangocha. She wasn't just a call girl; she was an enigma wrapped in allure, a tantalizing mystery that beckoned to those seeking both intimacy and intellectual stimulation. Her name whispered through the streets like a whispered promise, and her presence was as captivating as it was elusive.
La Pelangocha possessed a rare quality that set her apart from the rest: an open mind that danced on the razor's edge of taboo and convention. She didn't just entertain her clients; she engaged them in conversations that traversed the depths of the human experience. Whether discussing philosophy or the mundane intricacies of daily life, she did so with a twinkle in her eye and a mischievous grin that hinted at deeper meanings beneath the surface.
Despite the hardships that life often dealt her, La Pelangocha remained unyielding in her pursuit of joy. She found solace in the rhythm of the night, in the pulsating beat of music that reverberated through her soul. And when the weight of the world threatened to crush her spirit, she sought refuge in the warm embrace of a good tequila, its amber glow a beacon of comfort in the darkness.
But perhaps what truly defined La Pelangocha was her love for the dance. When she stepped onto the dance floor, she shed the layers of her existence and became one with the music, a vision of grace and sensuality that left onlookers spellbound. With each sway of her hips and twist of her body, she wove a tapestry of passion and desire, inviting others to join her in a celebration of life itself.
In a world filled with chaos and uncertainty, La Pelangocha remained a constant, a shimmering oasis of joy and freedom. She embraced her identity without reservation, refusing to be confined by society's expectations or judgments. For in the depths of her being, she knew that true happiness lay in the courage to be unapologetically oneself.
And so, La Pelangocha danced through life with a smile on her lips and fire in her heart, a beacon of light in the darkness, a reminder that even in the most unlikely of places, love and beauty could flourish.
La Roja played by
Melissa Patterson
Introducing the enigmatic La Roja, the pulsating heart of Salon Mexico's rhythmic underworld. With a mane of crimson fire and eyes that ignite with fervor, she commands the stage with a captivating grace that leaves spectators spellbound. Beyond the surface of her bewitching performances lies a tumultuous existence, entwined with the perilous realm of gangsters and shadows, a fate thrust upon her without choice.
In the dimly lit corners of the saloon, La Roja becomes a beacon of allure, weaving narratives of longing and temptation through her movements. Each step, each twist of her body, ensnares the souls of onlookers, leaving them intoxicated by her magnetic charm. Yet, amidst the haze of smoke and whispered secrets, she remains a mystery—a woman with depths uncharted and secrets untold.
Underneath the flickering lights, La Roja dances with abandon, her passion igniting flames in the hearts of those who dare to watch. With every sway of her hips and every arch of her back, she spins tales of desire and seduction, leaving a trail of smoldering hearts in her wake. For in the world of Salon Mexico, La Roja reigns supreme—a tempestuous force of nature, both feared and adored, whose fiery spirit burns brighter than any star in the night sky.
Biscochito played by
Nicole Antonio
Biscochito
Sweet, but oh so savvy, Biscochito is a lady of the night with a quick astuteness to the ins and outs of the Pachuco life. While Pedro Navaja reigns as the top Pachuco in El Barrio, Biscochito is no stranger to his ways. She possesses a deep understanding of the gangland dynamics, and has used her allure to navigate many treacherous situations. With an irresistible charm, she effortlessly seduces information from these Pachucos, always ensuring she "stays in the know." She has caught the eye of Tun Tun, a top smuggler within El Barrio, and also plans on getting acquainted with Juanito. As Biscochito weaves her way through the bustling streets and Salon Mexico, she brings a touch of elegance and feminine power to the tumultuous world of the 1940’s gangland. She stands tall as a formidable ally, and is a force to be reckoned with.