Pastorela 2.0

by Mabelle Reynoso

Directed by Peter Cirino

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Every year for nearly three decades, the Mercado Nochebuena has put on a traditional pastorela, complete with a script that was allegedly written over a hundred years ago by a groundskeeper from the Convent of San Agustín in Acolman, Mexico. Led by the grocery store's owner, Edgar Nochebuena and his daughter Alice, the Mercado Nochebuena community has faithfully executed the pastorela, making no changes to the script and continuing to use many of the same players that have participated in the show year after year. The show has become a symbol of hope for the community and a signature showpiece for the grocery store. But times are changing. The Mercado Nochebuena is struggling to keep tradition alive while competing with a brave new world where groceries are bought online and communities are forged through social media. The future is not looking good for the store. In what appears to be a Christmas miracle, for the first time ever, the Mercado Nochebuena Pastorela will be broadcast as a live musical event for a major network. This is initially seen as a blessing with all of the visibility and attention the store will get. But as reality sets in, compromises must be made, friendships will be tested, and all parties involved will be forced to question what they value and what they are willing to do to get what they want.