Big laughs and tongue-in-cheek cultural references abound in TheatreWorks’ newest production, Sunsets and Margaritas (Mar 10-Apr 14), a Mexican-flavored comic confection by renowned Latino playwright José Cruz González. With a madcap plot, zany characters and side-splitting sight gags, this comic play is a delight for audiences from all walks of life.

When it rains, it pours, especially for Gregorio Serrano, a simpering, middle-aged cop whose life and family starts spiraling out of control after his elderly father, Candelario, crashes his car through his own diner. Refusing to yield to his spineless son, the patriarch steals a case of hemorrhoid cream from a grocer and runs amok in town.

It turns out, however, that Gregorio has to juggle other family issues as well. Between his lesbian Republican daughter who’s struggling to name her unborn, sperm-bank child; his wheelchair-bound, fashion-designer Chicano activist son; and his own stress-induced hyperventilation episodes and erratic visions of the Virgin of Guadalupe, can Gregorio hold it all together and keep his family from collapsing completely?

This luminous comedy, which made its world debut last spring in Denver, and marks its West Coast premiere this March, also delves into the essence of Latino families, exploring such issues immigration, assimilation, machismo and social change under the overarching themes of food, family, music and ritual. All in all, Gonzalez delivers a quirky yet sweet play that toasts Latino culture and celebrates familial ties—no matter how loco one’s family may be.

WHEN:
Mar 10-Apr 14; Previews Mar 10-12, 8pm; Tues-Wed, 7:30pm; Thurs-Fri, 8pm; Sat, 2 & 8pm; Sun, 2 & 7pm.

WHERE:
Lucie Stern Theater, 1305 Middlefield Rd., Palo Alto

MORE INFO:
650/463-1960; www.theatreworks.org.