![\"OLYMPUS](\"https:\/\/sduptownnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/webtop.jpg\")
<\/a>Don Aragon (lovable Mark Pinter, not your ordinary pantalone) is suffering multiple ailments, diagnosed as \u201cManifest Destinitis\u201d early in the first act by an obvious quack (Dr. Burgos, portrayed by Richard Trujillo). For instance, when Don Aragon complains about his bowels, the doctor puts ear to abdomen and pronounces \u201cvaginitis.\u201d Every diagnosis is accompanied by a request for more pesos. Declaring himself bankrupt, the hypochondriac dismisses the doctor and devises a scheme to marry his nubile daughter to a physician in order to save money.<\/p>\n Manifest Destinitis, which has been diagnosed in multiple area ranchers, is fear of the coming takeover of California, Texas and more by the Yankees, who are winning the Mexican-American War.<\/p>\n Don Aragon has two daughters, the ultra feminine Angelica and the butch Luisa, both played to great effect by Jennifer Paredes. Angelica is in love with a Yankee singer\/guitarist named Charlie Sutter (Jacob Caltrider, sporting the biggest codpiece in creation). His endowments are much admired by Don Aragon\u2019s housekeeper, Tonia (Siguenza), who is Angelica\u2019s confidant and champion.<\/p>\n Tomas Diaz (Salomon Maya), the son of neighboring rancher Don Pedro Diaz (John Padilla), has returned, now a certified physician after medical studies abroad, so Don Aragon arranges a marriage between Angelica and Tomas, a ditsy, lecherous, slavering dolt, hilariously played by Maya with rolling eyes and wandering hands. Needless to say, Angelica revolts.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Don Aragon\u2019s avaricious second wife, Belen (Roxanne Carrasco) and her fake attorney\/lover (Padilla in an amusingly turned-up red wig) finagle to gain control of the Aragon estate. The company, many playing multiple roles, also includes Scotty Atienza, who portrays a pueblo newsboy, repeatedly interrupting with news of Yankee battle triumphs.<\/p>\n The glories and delights of \u201cManifest Destinitis\u201d and its production are the sustained, seemingly effortless physical comedy; spot-on and sincere portrayals; a magnificent hacienda set by Sean Fanning; the hilarity of Jennifer Brawn Gittings\u2019s costumes, which pair clashing print fabrics to screamingly funny effect; the music of composer\/sound designer Bruno Louchouarn; the lighting of Lonnie Alcaraz; and the choreography of Spencer Smith, who treats us to a group tango. All around, the work is absolutely first class.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/a>