Indians Take the Stage in ‘Cristianita’ : New Director Casts Native Americans in Annual Pageant

In a unique triumph for authenticity, real Indians will play make-believe Indians this year during San Clemente’s La Cristianita Pageant, the town’s annual outdoor drama about the first baptism in California.

“The Cross and the Arrow,” which opens Wednesday, is based largely on the diaries of the Franciscan missionaries. But because the diarists rarely recorded Indian names, the play is mostly historical fiction when it portrays the Juanenos, the Indians that Father Junipero Serra met on his journey in 1769, said Jenniebelle Bartlett, who wrote the original one-act play 33 years ago.

Nevertheless, the director this year, Nibardo Gomez, went to the Capistrano Indian Council in June and asked the council to help him cast the pageant with as many Indians as possible. “They welcomed me with open arms. They were glad to finally be included,” Gomez said.

Made an Agreement

The council and Gomez made an agreement. He would be as authentic as he could concerning the costumes worn by the Juanenos of that era and the council would help him find Indians who would act in the play. About 24 Indians have roles, Gomez said.

One of these amateur actors is Dennis Sommers, who will play Acu, the father of La Cristianita, the baptized Indian baby. Oddly enough, Sommers is a descendant of a Juaneno Indian leader by the name of Acu who for years was the bell ringer at the San Juan Capistrano Mission, said Sommers’ aunt, Bernice Jim.

In the play, Acu is the Juaneno chief who first encounters the Spaniards. He warns his people of these strange men “with hair on their faces and white eyes.” Bartlett said she chose the name because it was common among the Juanenos.

For Sommers, the difference between the two Acus, one real and one not, is unimportant. He is glad to have the part. “I’m a proud Indian,” Sommers said. “I feel like I’ve been selected to be on an All-Star team and I’m going to replace someone who is really great.”

‘Terrific Idea’

Teeter Marie Romero, who for six years was president of the Capistrano Indian Council, said she was also pleased to see Indians in the production. “I think it was a terrific idea. We’ve been involved in La Cristianita for six years, but we’ve just made fried bread to sell outside.”

This summer’s production is scheduled to run Wednesday through Saturday and again Aug. 13-15 at La Cristianita Bowl, an open-air theater in San Clemente. The play, which now has three acts, starts at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $5 for children, $10 for adults.

Kent Greenwald, president of La Cristianita Pageant, said the pageant has always strived for authenticity. “We’ve always wanted to have as many Indians as possible. We’re really excited.”