Review: Juan Bobo’s Pig Saves the Day

Review: Juan Bobo’s Pig Saves the Day | Miners Alley Theatre for Young Audiences | Miners Alley Performing Arts Center, Golden, CO | Curtain Up! | Eric Fitzgerald

Yet another audience‑approved production by Miners Alley Theatre for Young Audiences (MATYA), Juan Bobo’s Pig Saves the Farm bursts onto the stage with the kind of exuberant charm that has become MATYA’s signature. Written and directed by Paola Miranda and Kate Poling, this bilingual barnyard odyssey sweeps young audiences into a rollicking countryside romp where mischief, magic, and community collide. Set against the lively hum of a storybook farm, the tale follows Juan Bobo and his ever‑resourceful pig through a whirlwind adventure that celebrates cultural storytelling, quick thinking, and the joyful chaos of helping a farm find its way back to harmony.

As always with MATYA, the young audience doesn’t just watch the show — they inhabit it. Throughout the performance, children flood the stage, joyfully transforming into part of the story itself. This is the enduring magic of MATYA and the imaginative spark of writers and directors Paola Miranda and Kate Poling, who understand that theatre for young audiences thrives when participation becomes play. Whether they’re summoned for a barnyard dance party, coaxed into an exuberant animal shuffle, or invited to reinvent themselves as shimmering fish, the kids embrace each moment with wholehearted delight, turning the stage into a living, laughing extension of the tale.

Back Row: Kiki (Damon Guerrasio), Abuela (Magally Luna) & Mu (Leah Cardenas)

Front Row: Juan Bobo (Kinari Rima) & Puerquita (Lucinda Lazo) | Photography Credit: Boon Eye Photos

Abuela’s (Magally Luna) decision to sell the farm doesn’t come from any chaos caused by Juan Bobo (Kinari Rima) at all; it’s simply that she can no longer keep up with the constant work of keeping the place clean and operational. Mama (Magally Luna), hoping to give Juan Bobo a bit of breathing room from the mounting chores, takes him to the shore for a short respite — all while the farm quietly slips further into disarray. That’s when Puerquita (Lucinda Lazo), fueled by her ever‑present caffeine buzz, springs into action and rallies the barnyard. She enlists Kiki (Damon Guerrasio), the rooster, who struts more than he helps; Mu (Leah Cardenas), who naps through most of the day; and Fino (Kinari Rima), who can’t stop admiring his own reflection, to join her in restoring the farm to its former sparkle. Through teamwork, determination, and plenty of comedic barnyard antics, the animals pull off the impossible, making it possible for Abuela to keep her beloved farm. In the end, it’s Puerquita’s spirited leadership that truly saves the day — and the farm — proving that Juan Bobo’s pig earns her heroic title.

L to R: Kiki (Damon Guerrasio), Puerquita (Lucinda Lazo), Fino (Kinari Rima), Mu (Leah Cardenas) | Puerquita (Lucinda Lazo) | Photography Credit: Boon Eye Photos

As with all MATYA productions, the cast is irresistibly vibrant, each performer bringing a distinct spark that keeps the barnyard buzzing. As Juan Bobo and Fino, Kinari Rima delivers a deft pairing of wide‑eyed charm as Juan Bobo and deliciously exaggerated vanity as Fino — a genuinely winning double casting. Lucinda Lazo’s Puerquita is both charming and wonderfully unstoppable, her caffeinated determination driving the show’s heartbeat. In the dual roles of Mama and Abuela, Magally Luna offers a warm, grounded presence, shifting seamlessly between maternal steadiness and the weary resolve of a woman nearly ready to let go of her farm. The ever‑wonderful Damon Guerrasio animates Kiki with such spirited physicality that we fully believe he’s a rooster who could crow the sun into rising. And Leah Cardenas, as Mu, nails every sleepy beat with impeccable comedic timing, convincing us that napping might indeed be the most sensible solution to any barnyard crisis.

L to R: Kiki (Damon Guerrasio), Puerquita (Lucinda Lazo), Mu (Leah Cardenas) | Photography Credit: Boon Eye Photos

Paola Miranda and Kate Poling once again demonstrate their remarkable gift for crafting theatre that speaks to every child in the room. Their script is bilingual, inviting the audience to move fluidly between English and Spanish without ever feeling as though one language is secondary. Miranda and Poling shape an open‑armed, culturally rich piece of storytelling that welcomes all young audiences, no matter which language they speak at home. Their direction is equally thoughtful — warm, playful, and attuned to the rhythms of young attention spans — guiding the cast through a brisk, lovingly paced production that wraps its adventure in under sixty minutes while still feeling full, joyful, and complete.

The physical production is a feast of imagination and clever detail. Crystal McKenzie’s costumes are whimsically expressive, each one a playful, character‑specific creation that hints at its animal spirit with wit and a dash of theatrical flair. The set and sound design by Jonathan Scott‑McKean carries a resourceful inventiveness, shaping a barnyard world that’s both charmingly stylized and fully functional for the show’s brisk pace. Xander Claypool’s lighting adds warmth and gentle vibrancy, guiding young eyes through the story with clarity and a touch of magic. And Sammie Piel’s props contribute delightful surprises throughout, grounding the farm’s antics with tactile humor and thoughtful touches that enrich every scene.

Puerquita (Lucinda Lazo) | Photography Credit: Boon Eye Photos

Miranda and Poling’s bilingual script and tender direction anchor Juan Bobo’s Pig Saves the Farm in a spirit of generosity — a piece of theatre that opens its arms to every child in the room. Their work is elevated by a standout ensemble, each performer contributing a burst of personality that keeps the barnyard world humming with laughter and delight. The result is a production that radiates joy, inviting young audiences to see themselves reflected in its playfulness, its heart, and its celebration of community. Juan Bobo’s Pig Saves the Farm runs through September 12 at Miners Alley Performing Arts Center before touring schools throughout the region, continuing MATYA’s mission of bringing imaginative, inclusive theatre directly to the children who love it most.

For Information and Tickets: https://minersalley.com/shows/juan-bobos-pig/