{"id":312273,"date":"2026-05-12T18:03:09","date_gmt":"2026-05-12T18:03:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/312273\/"},"modified":"2026-05-12T18:03:09","modified_gmt":"2026-05-12T18:03:09","slug":"the-return-of-zorro-rides-into-fullertons-maverick-theater-with-style-orange-county-register","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/312273\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018The Return of Zorro\u2019 rides into Fullerton\u2019s Maverick Theater with style \u2013 Orange County Register"},"content":{"rendered":"

In the shadows of Mission San Juan Capistrano, under threat of being burnt to the ground during a time of corruption and racism, an especially striking fight breaks out in \u201cThe Return of Zorro,\u201d now at Fullerton\u2019s Maverick Theater.<\/p>\n

Three combatants grapple in a tightly choreographed, 97-second brawl leading to a stage death that features one flashing sword, two swirling knives and two deadly tomahawks.<\/p>\n

Oh, and the men in this show make a showy impression, too!<\/p>\n

An action-packed, romantic potboiler, with a cast of 17 \u2014 plus three stunt fighters \u2014 miraculously inhabiting a compact stage area, \u201cThe Return of Zorro,\u201d is the newest well-produced endeavor from Maverick founder Brian Newell.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The Deputy Mayor (Kevin Currie) questions Don Diego Vega, (Andy Pinon) about the location of the Yaqui tribe in a scene from \u201cThe Return of Zorro\u201d at Maverick Theater in Fullerton. (Photo by Austin Bauman)\n<\/p>\n

\"Zorro<\/p>\n

Zorro (Justyn Gonzalez) gets the upper hand on Captain Solei (Edward Bangasser) in a scene from \u201cThe Return of Zorro\u201d at Maverick Theater in Fullerton. (Photo by Austin Bauman)\n<\/p>\n

\"From<\/p>\n

From left, Don Diego Vega (Andy Pinon), Delphina (Liz Alvarado), Father Felipe (KC Mercer) and Roberto (Paul Flores) watch as justice is served in a scene from \u201cThe Return of Zorro\u201d at Maverick Theater in Fullerton. (Photo by Austin Bauman)\n<\/p>\n

\"Felina<\/p>\n

Felina (Alexandra Young) and Zorro (Justyn Gonzalez) share a moment in \u201cThe Return of Zorro\u201d at Maverick Theaer in Fullerton. (Photo by Austin Bauman)\n<\/p>\n

\"Felina<\/p>\n

Felina (Alexandra Young) and Father Felipe (KC Mercer) watch Don Diego Vega (Andy Pinon) train Alejandro (Justyn Gonzalez) in a scene from \u201cThe Return of Zorro.\u201d (Photo by Austin Bauman)\n<\/p>\n

Show Caption<\/p>\n

1 of 5<\/p>\n

The Deputy Mayor (Kevin Currie) questions Don Diego Vega, (Andy Pinon) about the location of the Yaqui tribe in a scene from \u201cThe Return of Zorro\u201d at Maverick Theater in Fullerton. (Photo by Austin Bauman)\n<\/p>\n

Expand<\/a><\/p>\n

Andrew Pinon\u2019s leave-no-buckle-unswashed script derives from the century-plus-old novella, \u201cThe Curse of Capistrano.\u201d<\/p>\n

This origin tale of Don Diego Vega, and his masked adventurer\/avenger alter ego Zorro, righting wrongs against craven evildoers in early-day California, was adapted into a silent movie hit in 1920. Subsequent stories, Hollywood updating and a Disney TV show emerged through the years.<\/p>\n

Translating movies, no matter how old, into live stagings is impresario Newell\u2019s two-decade personal mission<\/a>.<\/p>\n

And this \u201cZorro\u201d certainly fulfills the ambitions for a Maverick show: Newell helms well blocked, quick scenes transitioning into black outs, with an atmospheric original score helping bridge bafflingly adroit set changes in the dark, all of it showcasing a cast fully committed to an energetic showing.<\/p>\n

\u201cZorro\u2019s\u201d first act pacing could use a bit of a nudge, perhaps a scene and set change or two less, as Pinon\u2019s script traipses a bit slowly through narrative backstory.<\/p>\n

While needed for plot setting and introducing characters, it\u2019s the development of two romantic relationships and some comedy doings at the mission that carry things along until the action roils through a hot boil after the intermission.<\/p>\n

ALSO SEE: Fullerton\u2019s Maverick Theater attracts crowds by not putting on plays<\/a><\/p>\n

Lots of credit is due for many folks in this one.<\/p>\n

The Renaissance Man on strongest display here is Pinon. In addition to writing the show, his central acting turn as Vega\/Zorro showcases a formidable skillset as a courtly presence equipped with agile swordplay and a cracking bullwhip. Adding extra danger to his mix, Pinon is also credited as the show\u2019s fight choreographer. (Hmmm, is it too late to retract those earlier comments about Pinon\u2019s script needing tightening?)<\/p>\n

Diego courts a long-lost love, Delphina. Liz Alvarado skillfully broadens this figure from a resigned, knowing older woman committed to marrying for security, to believably revealing dormant feelings within her that tamped down her first-and-only true enamorado Diego.<\/p>\n

If this was being staged a century ago, the young lovers pairing of revenge-minded Alejandro and Delphina\u2019s daughter Felina would have been known as the \u201cjuvenile leads.\u201d Justyn Gonzalez and Alexandra Young share enjoyable comedy charm as a fumbling swain and the snappy-retorting object of his affections. But beyond that, each actor manifests necessary physicality when events are at their bleakest.<\/p>\n

As if from the stock company of an old black and white Warner Bros. movie, Kevin Currie proves to be a wonderful dynamic character actor. As Edgar, the newly and mysteriously arrived vice-mayor of Capistrano, Currie early on conveys sympathy and deeper feelings, but he also shrinks back into an excellent, vile baddie, gleeful in the unfettered malevolence buried in his race-baiting motives.<\/p>\n

Secondary turns are many and laudable.<\/p>\n

As principled Captain Soleil, Edward Bangasser is a formal and austere presence \u2014 and possibly the best swordsman on stage? \u2014 as well as the show\u2019s stunt\/combat advisor.<\/p>\n

Sage Forsythe and Chanelle Rose Leva are diametrically opposed \u2014 and lethally capable \u2014 presences you can\u2019t take your eyes off of during brief appearances as repellent bounty hunter Yessica and Native American scout Two Hawks.<\/p>\n

As well as being at the core of that big fight, they also sport the coolest costumes in a well-dressed show.<\/p>\n

In the performance seen by this reviewer, the key role of Father Felipe was filled in by Paul Flores. Flores might have seemed a tad young to be stumping around with a cane, but he was solid at investing the Mission\u2019s older leader with a crooked grin while the padre tries to navigate the personalities and politics of wild and wooly Capistrano.<\/p>\n

And as Mayor Rivera, corrupt and conniving Glenn Freeze isn\u2019t around long enough to showcase all his veteran talents, but, for goodness \u2014 or rottenness \u2014 sakes, he certainly dies awfully well near the end of Act 1!<\/p>\n

An additional note of admiration goes to the original score from young composer Kyle Reinhardt.<\/p>\n

Reinhardt\u2019s atmospheric introductory instrumental anthem and background transitional score channel film music luminaries like Ennio Morricone (revered for the Clint Eastwood \u201cspaghetti Western\u201d scores) as well as tapping slightly dark-key touches conveying a traditional film score\u2019s tense and brooding passages.<\/p>\n

Quick thought to prospective attendees \u2014 be fleet. The cozy Maverick setting seats only 62 and the theater\u2019s perennial patrons traditionally and greedily grab up tickets quicker than a flashing sword blade can ribbon cut a \u201cZ.\u201d<\/p>\n

Three additional weekend matinee performances have been newly added to the scheduled run. Move fast before Zorro\u2019s return vanishes.<\/p>\n

\u2018The Return of Zorro\u2019<\/p>\n

Rating: 3 1\/2 stars (out of a possible 4)<\/p>\n

Where: Maverick Theater, 110 E. Walnut Ave. Unit B, Fullerton<\/p>\n

When: Through June 7. 8 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays; 7 p.m., Sundays. Additional 4 p.m. matinee performances on Saturday, May 30, Sunday, May 31 and Sunday, June 7.<\/p>\n

Tickets: $20-$38<\/p>\n

Information: 714-526-7070; Mavericktheater.com<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"In the shadows of Mission San Juan Capistrano, under threat of being burnt to the ground during a…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":312274,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[36],"tags":[163,165,164,5311,420],"class_list":["post-312273","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-anaheim","tag-anaheim","tag-anaheim-headlines","tag-anaheim-news","tag-theater-arts","tag-things-to-do"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/312273","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=312273"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/312273\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/312274"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=312273"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=312273"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=312273"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}