Borderlands Theater’s “They Call Me A Hero,” debuts tomorrow evening, Thursday, Sept. 25. It’s the 29th season for the historical theater organization and the last play as producing director for Borderlands founder, Barclay Goldsmith. The play, by Guillermo Reyes, is based on Daniel Hernandez’s memoir of the same title. Hernandez, a Sunnyside School District governing board members, is credited with saving the life of U.S. Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords during the Jan. 8, 2011 shooting.
The play, at ZUZI’S Theater, 738 N. 5th Ave., runs through Oct. 5. Tickets opening night are $24, and the remaining run $20 general admission, $17 seniors and $14 for students. For more info or reservations, call 882-7406.
From Borderlands:
(Hernandez) was thrown into a whirlwind of publicity after he became a national hero. Reyes examines how, “as his private life becomes public, Daniel’s family and upbringing in South Tucson provide the backbone that empowers him.” “They Call Me A Hero,” is an honest and touching story about the importance of caring for others.
…
Reyes … examines the relationship between gun violence and mental illness with additional research, outside of Hernandez’s memoir, into the life of gunman, Jared Lee Loughner. The play bears witness to how the elimination of bilingual education in Tucson shaped Daniel’s political intellect. Most meaningful is the depiction of a young, gay, Latino role model who perseveres.
“They Call Me A Hero is a quintessential Tucson story about a bi-cultural, intelligent, compassionate young man from humble beginnings who realized the value of helping others from an early age. His story encompasses familiar Tucson values: the importance of family, compassion, civic participation, and resilience. Daniel’s journey of self realization is something that all Tucsonans – Democrat or Republican, gay or not, Latino or otherwise – can learn from.
This article appears in Sep 25 – Oct 1, 2014.
Had this guy been carrying concealed, he might have been able to save a few more. But knowing that there was only a bunch of liberals in that crowd, the sicko psycho decided to go after them. Just another example of a predator attacking in a “gun free zone”, knowing that nobody in the crowd would be a threat to him.
Hero? It helps to be in the right place at the right time for your Hero annuity Daniel.
Rick, evidently you’re not familiar with what happened Jan. 8, 2011. There was someone carrying a concealed weapon and they almost shot someone else at the scene and not the shooter. Yes, being at the right time and the right place is what determines our character and allows any number of us to earn the title hero. That’s the way life works–that is Yes Bob–if you’re really up for the task.
He didn’t do anything differently from anyone else who happened to be next to a bleeding person in need of a compress.
He ran towards the gun fire. That’s what makes him a hero.
Gen Custer did that too.