It’s Game On at the Children’s Theatre with two Bilingual Productions Closing out Their 30th Season
Celebrate Fiesta Season with Magik Theatre!
It’s party time with bilingual productions ¡Lotería: Game On! and Tomás and the Library Lady.
Spring is in the air in San Antonio and at Magik Theatre, where children and their families are invited to celebrate the city’s rich cultural heritage with two bilingual productions for Spanish and English language learners and speakers of all levels. Magik’s mainstage play ¡Lotería: Game On! closes out the beloved children’s theatre’s milestone 30th season from May 3 to June 1, 2025. Additionally, Magik is pleased to present Tomás and the Library Lady as its Spring 2025 touring production for regional schools, community organizations, and special events. Both plays move seamlessly between English and Spanish dialog and feature traditions or historic figures dear to San Antonio’s Hispanic community, wrapped in Magik’s signature creative fun.
Launching on the last weekend of Fiesta, ¡Lotería: Game On! is a great way to party down with little ones, complete with an opening night celebration on May 3 in Hemisfair Park. “Whether you’re looking for one last fun-filled event to enjoy with kids, or you just want to continue the spirit of celebration, ¡Lotería: Game On! offers a high-energy, culturally rich experience that fits right in with the Fiesta season,” says Artistic Director and Loteria Co-Director Anthony Runfola. Performances later in the season have plenty of fun in store, too, with Magik’s backstage experience add-on, allowing guests a glimpse behind the curtain during a cast meet-and-greet and guided tour as they savor a post-show paleta.
Written by Mabelle Reynoso for audiences ages 6+, ¡Lotería: Game On! brings the competitive fun of the classic Mexican card game to the stage in a whimsical, immersive experience. Blending fantasy, humor, and cultural traditions, the bilingual story follows Mexican-American siblings Sam and Kris as they work together to rescue their father from the mysterious realm of Lotería. When they brush off their dad’s attempts to spend quality time together, Sam and Kris have no idea he’s about to disappear through a pillow-fort portal to magical Lotería land. During their quest to bring their dad home, the pair encounter characters based on familiar Lotería cards like La Rana, El Gallo and La Mano, and must cooperate and think fast to outwit Lotería’s rules.
“Our goal is to capture the thrill of playing Lotería,” says Runfola, “the anticipation, the strategy, and the unexpected turns, while telling a heartfelt story.” The set design by Lucian Hernandez draws viewers into Lotería’s mystery, while Yesi Tafur’s costumes reflect the cards’ iconic visual language. Sam and Kris are played by Lucero Garcia and Maryann Valerio respectively, while Gabriel Itzcoatl Luera takes on the role of Dad. They deftly navigate a script that intentionally weaves together both Spanish and English. “The audience can follow along, regardless of their primary language,” says Laura T. Garza, Executive Artistic Director of Teatro Audaz and Co-Director of this production. “Whether you’re fluent in both languages or just beginning to learn, the story remains clear, compelling and fun.”
JOIN MAGIK ON THE ROAD WITH Tomás and the Library Lady
The same can be said for Magik on the Road touring production Tomás and the Library Lady, based on the inspiring true story of Crystal City-native Tomás Rivera as written by author and poet Pat Mora and adapted for the stage by José Cruz González. The bilingual play focuses on the special friendship between Tomás, the son of migrant farm workers, and the kind librarian who helps him unlock a love of reading. Together, they discover the transformative power of books, which eventually propels Tomás into a groundbreaking career in higher education. The real-life Tomás became the first Mexican-American chancellor of a University of California campus, and many of his family members are still in the South Texas area. His daughter, Ileana Rivera Liberatore, even taught Magik’s managing director Mel Zarb-Cousin in high school!
It’s no surprise, then, that Tomás and the Library Lady is already popular around town: the San Antonio Public Library and the NCAA’s literacy initiative Read to the Final FourⓇ have both booked several performances of the play, which is available to visit campuses and community centers from April 7 through July 20th then again in the fall, September 8 through October 12th in celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month. Each production offers TEKS-based digital resource guides and an after-show Q&A session between audience and cast, with optional workshops led by Magik Theatre Teaching Artists. See here for more information about Magik on the Road.
Both productions’ creative, heartwarming approaches to our region’s unique culture make them ideal for celebrating the end of the semester, San Antonio’s most vibrant season, and the promise of summer fun. Help Magik send off its legendary 30th season in style!
SPECIAL EVENTS & ADD-ON EXPERIENCES
¡Lotería: Game On! Sneak Peek | Saturday, April 12, 10:30 a.m.
Curious about the making of the play? Be the first to witness the behind-the-scenes magic of ¡Lotería: Game On! at the Sneak Peek where attendees can glimpse into the world of theatrical production and interact with Magik’s talented cast and crew during an intimate Q&A session. Light refreshments will be provided, making it the perfect morning outing for families, friends, and theater enthusiasts alike. The event is FREE and open to the public. Reservations can be made HERE.
Magik Story Time at Yanaguana Garden | Tuesday, April 29, 10:00 a.m.
Magik Theatre joins Hemisfair’s weekly Story Time series with a reading of “Lotería” by Karla Arenas Velenti. Little ones can head to Yanaguana Garden on Tuesday, April 29 where Magikal friends bring everyone’s favorite Mexican card game to life from the page before it officially hits the stage.
Opening Night Party in the Park – Saturday, May 3, 1:30 p.m., show at 3:00 p.m.
Attend a puro San Antonio pachanga to kick off ¡Lotería: Game On!. In partnership with Hemisfair, the Fiesta fun continues in Hemisfair Park with street fair snacks, jugos and a Hemisfair-inspired special edition Lotería game and coloring craft. DJ Mayhem will spin live Latin beats to motivate little movers in a boogie book battle dance off to see who has the right stuff to win a copy of “Lotería” by Karla Arenas Valenti. The pre-show party is free and open to the public.
Backstage Experience Add-On (Available after every performance excluding other special events)
Enhance your visit to Magik Theatre with our Backstage Experience for only $20 per person! This exclusive add-on includes an onstage meet and greet with the cast, where you can snap photos and share special moments with your favorite characters. Plus, enjoy a 15-minute guided tour of the set, props, and rehearsal space led by a Magik Theatre performer offering a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the magik of theatre. And, enjoy a tasty paleta as San Antonio gets back to its warm temps!
Please note: We are unable to accommodate guests with wheelchair needs for this experience. All patrons under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Magik Theatre Birthday Parties (NOW available after main stage performances)
And now, families can make their little one’s special day truly magikal with a hassle-free Magik Theatre birthday party right after one of the main stage shows. Magik Theatre birthday party packages include complimentary child tickets, discounted additional tickets, a private party space, and festive decorations. Kids will enjoy a show themed craft, digital invitations, and a birthday backdrop with props. Plus, the birthday child gets an exclusive backstage experience and a Magik Theatre gift! Up to ten additional party guests can join the backstage experience for an additional charge. Best of all, Magik handles setup and cleanup so parents can focus on making memories. Birthday parties can be booked here.
SPECIAL PERFORMANCES
Educator Appreciation Day – Saturday, May 10 at 2 p.m.
Educators and school faculty are eligible for one free ticket to this performance with proof of I.D. Additional tickets are available to purchase for these performances at a discount of 20% off the regular ticket prices.
Sensory Friendly Performance – Saturday, May 17, at 10 a.m.
Audience members on the autism spectrum and those with sensory sensitivities can take in a special performance of ¡Lotería: Game On! designed just for them. Kids and adults are free to be themselves in this relaxed, judgment-free theatre experience that is a perfect introduction to attending a performance.
ASL Interpreted Performance – Saturday, May 17, at 2 p.m.
Patrons who communicate with ASL can attend this performance featuring Robert Cardoza, the San Antonio theatre community’s primary American Sign Language interpreter.
Pay What You Wish Performance – Sunday, May 18, at 3 p.m.
As part of Magik Theatre’s mission to make theatre accessible to everyone, the organization holds one donation-based performance. Tickets are only available at the door on February 8.
Military and First Responders Appreciation Day – Saturday, May 31 at 2 p.m.
Service members with a valid military ID can purchase discounted $18 tickets to this performance.
TICKET OPTIONS
Magik Theatre offers multiple ways for patrons to experience the best children’s theatre in San Antonio. Magik is a cherished arts institution that has been providing families with professional, accessible, literature-based theatre and education since 1994. Located in Hemisfair Park, families can catch the show, enjoy a day of play exploring Yanaguana Garden, grab a meal at one of the many restaurants on site and make Magikal memories. Flex Passes and single ticket sales are available now.
FLEX PASS PRICING
- Ten Flex Passes $190
A Flex Pass is a package of 10 tickets that can be used for any production at Magik Theatre. Flex passes can be used any way patrons wish throughout the season. Use them one or two at a time, or all together. No fees to exchange unexpired tickets to another date. Not valid for summer performances at Charline McCombs Empire Theatre. Expires June 1, 2025.
SINGLE TICKETS
- $25 for adults
- $20 for children (ages 2-17), Military, Seniors, Educators & Students
- Children under 2 years old are free.
Purchase flex passes, and single tickets online, via phone (210) 227-2751, and in person at Magik Theatre’s Box Office (420 S Alamo, 78205). Box Office hours are Monday-Friday, 9 am – 5 pm.
If a child under 2 uses a seat, even a car or booster seat, the patron must pay for a general admission ticket. Group rates are available for parties of ten or more people. For questions and further inquiries, contact tickets@magiktheatre.org.
MAGIK THEATRE
A professional theatre for young audiences established in 1994, Magik Theatre’s mission is to create theatrical experiences that ignite imagination, spark curiosity, inspire empathy, and foster a lifetime love of learning in young people. For more information, visit magiktheatre.org, or Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @TheMagikTheatre.
