View source for The Ramona Pageant

{{short description|Play performed annually in Hemet, California}}
{{Infobox play
| name       = The Ramona Pageant
| writer     = {{startplainlist}}
*[[Helen Hunt Jackson]] (1884 book)
*Garnet Holme (1923 adaptation)
*Stephen Savage (2015 update)
{{endplainlist}}
| image      =  A Scene from Ramona Pageant.jpg
| caption    = ''The Ramona Pageant'' in 2013
| setting    = 1850s California
| premiere   = April 13, 1923
| place      = [[Hemet, California|Hemet]], [[California]]
| orig_lang  = English
| subject    = ''[[Ramona]]''
| genre      = Drama/Romance/Comedy
}}
{{Infobox historic site
| name =  Ramona Bowl
| image = California Landmark Ramona No.1009 - panoramio.jpg
| caption = California Landmark of Ramona in Ramona Bowl, Hemet, #1009
| location=  Ramona Bowl, 27400 S Girard Street, [[Hemet, California]]
| coordinates = {{coord|33.719891666|-116.94946388
|format=dms|region:US-CA_type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| locmapin = California
| area =
| built =
| architect=
| architecture=
| designation1 = California
| designation1_number= 1009
| designation1_date =  February 16, 1993<ref>[https://www.californiahistoricallandmarks.com/landmarks/chl-1009 californiahistoricallandmarks.com chl-1009]</ref>
| designation2 =
| designation2_date =
| designation2_number =
| governing_body =
}}
[[File:Ramona Pageant.jpg|alt=A large group of people assembled in costume.|thumb|The Ramona Pageant, 1950]]
'''''The Ramona Outdoor Play''''', formerly known as (and still commonly called) '''''The Ramona Pageant''''', is an [[outdoor drama]] staged annually in [[Hemet, California]],<ref name= NYT>{{cite news| work= [[The New York Times]]| url= https://www.nytimes.com/1953/04/19/archives/ramona-country-california-town-pageant-preserves-the-legend.html |title= 'Ramona' Country; California Town Pageant Preserves the Legend| first= Gladwin| last= Hill| location= Hemet, California| date= April 19, 1953 |access-date= March 13, 2017}}</ref> since 1923.<ref name= "CA res">{{cite web| url= http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/93-94//bill/sen/sb_0001-0050/scr_5_bill_930319_chaptered |title= California Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 5| date= 1993| access-date= | website= legainfo.ca.gov| publisher= }}</ref>
It is loosely based on the 1884 novel ''[[Ramona]]'' by [[Helen Hunt Jackson]].<ref>{{cite news |last1= Browne| first1= Renee| title= History: 'Ramona' inspired early Palm Springs plays|url=http://www.desertsun.com/story/news/2015/08/08/history-desert-plays-ramona/31234761/|work=[[The Desert Sun]]|publisher=[[Gannett]]|date=August 8, 2015}}</ref><ref name= NYT />
==History and origination==
The original script was written by Garnet Holme in 1923. Holme was also the original director and the person who chose the plot of land where the play is still currently set, called the Ramona Bowl. The Ramona Bowl (or The Bowl) is located in the [[San Jacinto Mountains]], in a valley in Hemet. There is a hillside where the stage is set, as well as an audience area. In 1988, major renovations took place, in which the valley was lifted, allowing the audience to move closer to the hillside.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2006-apr-25-me-ramona25-story.html|title=Who'll Love 'Ramona' Now?|last=Rosenblatt|first=Susannah|date=2006-04-25|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=2018-03-08|language=en-US|issn=0458-3035}}</ref> Although at least eight other stage plays have been adapted from the novel, {{asof|1993|lc=yes}} ''The Ramona Pageant'' is the only surviving version.<ref name= "CA res" /> Moreover, Holme's adaptation is the most successful and the most circulated version of the play.<ref name="Historyland">{{cite web|last1=Brigandi|first1=Phil|title=Ramona - History and Myth in Southern California|url=http://www.socalhistoryland.mysite.com/article_10.html|website=So Cal Historyland|accessdate=6 March 2018|ref=5}}</ref> The play is held over three consecutive weekends in April and May in the Ramona Bowl, a natural [[amphitheater]] in the foothills above Hemet in [[Riverside County, California|Riverside County]]. In 2015, a brand new, updated script was written by international award-winning film director and screenwriter Stephen Savage, featuring much more action and historic content, while remaining far from the author’s original novel. Under the direction of Dennis Anderson, the new version enters its 7th season in 2023.<ref name="Ramona Makeover">{{cite web|last1=Schultz|first1=Craig|title=HEMET: 'Ramona' gets a makeover|url=https://www.pe.com/2014/11/21/hemet-ramona-gets-a-makeover/|website=The Press-Enterprise|date=21 November 2014|accessdate=6 March 2018}}{{Dead link|date=October 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
''The Ramona Pageant'' used to be the longest running outdoor play in the United States, until 2020 when COVID ended this incredible streak. It ran uninterrupted except in 1933, caused by [[Great Depression]]; in 1942, when [[World War II]] occurred and in 2020 caused by [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref name="Ramona HDL">{{cite web|title="Ramona" History, Drama, and Love in the San Jacinto Valley|url=http://www.westerncentermuseum.org/ramona/|website=Western Science Center|accessdate=6 March 2018|archive-date=9 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180309074414/http://www.westerncentermuseum.org/ramona/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name= "CA res" /> In 1993 it was declared California's official State Outdoor Play.<ref name= "CA res" />
==Overview==
[[File:Helen Hunt Jackson by Charles F. Conly.jpg|thumb|An image of Helen Hunt Jackson|234x234px]]
The play can be considered a "[[Romeo and Juliet]] that is set in the Wild Wild West", since it resembles the story of two star-crossed lovers challenging their rivaling families in order to be together, despite the ongoing situation of white settlers taking over the native land.<ref name=":0" /> Ramona is an orphaned half-Native American and half-Scottish, who was adopted by Senora Moreno, a Mexican-American woman. Unfortunately, Ramona was neglected by her adopter, since she was of mixed race. When Ramona meets Alessandro, she falls in love with him. Alessandro is the son of Pablo Assis, the chief of the Temecula Indian tribe. When Senora Moreno finds out about Ramona and Alessandro, she is infuriated because she does not approve the marriage between a half-Native American and a full-Native American. When Ramona finds out that Senora Moreno never actually treated her with love and respect as a child, she runs away with Alessandro. During their elopement, they are constantly going through hardships such as having their properties stolen by immigrants and being pushed further into isolation. Soon, they conceive a child. However, Alessandro borrows a horse (without permission) when their child falls ill and is shot and killed while trying to return the horse. After Alessandro's death, Ramona returns to Senora Moreno's home and marries her son. They both have multiple children, along with Ramona's and Alessandro's first child.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=http://www.seecalifornia.com/festivals/hemet-ramona.html|title=Ramona Pageant and Play in Hemet California|website=www.seecalifornia.com|access-date=2018-03-08}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.library.arizona.edu/exhibits/swetc/true/body.1_div.13.html|title=CHAPTER XIII: THE ORIGINALS OF THE CHARACTERS OF|last=Sentiments|first=CARLYLE CHANNING DAVIS Formerly Editor and Proprietor and Editor of and, WILLIAM A. ALDERSON Of the Los Angeles Bar, Author of Legal Treatises on and, and, a Book of|website=www.library.arizona.edu|language=en|access-date=2018-03-08|archive-date=2018-02-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180221125510/http://www.library.arizona.edu/exhibits/swetc/true/body.1_div.13.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[File:Ramona Helen Hunt Jackson 1884.jpg|thumb|''Ramona'' by Helen Hunt Jackson, 1884 print|268x268px]]
==Performers==
The production features a cast of approximately 375 members,<ref name= "CA res" /> mainly local volunteers or residents in the community. Holme says that casting local members maintained the authenticity of the roles in the play.<ref name= "Historyland" /> Animals such as horses and mules are also featured in the play, as well as early California musicians, The Arias Troubadours.  The Arias Troubadours have been providing the beautiful and authentic musical sound track since 1924.  The Arias Troubadours were founded by Jose Arias and Antonio Corral whose descendants Carlos Corral (son), Henry Arias (grandson), Joseph Arias (grandson), John Murphy (great-grandson) and Violet Murphy (great-great-granddaughter) carry on the family legacy of cultural and traditional music.  The Spanish dancer, Desiree Corral, is the granddaughter of Arias Troubadour founding member Antonio Corral.<ref name=":0" /> The lead roles are Ramona and Alessandro, her [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] lover. In 2023, ''The Ramona Pageant'' celebrated  its 100th year as American's longest running outdoor play.<ref name="2018 Cast">{{cite web|title='Ramona' pageant announces 2018 cast list|url=http://myvalleynews.com/entertainment/ramona-pageant-announces-2018-cast-list/|website=Valley News|accessdate=6 March 2018|archive-date=9 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180309054301/http://myvalleynews.com/entertainment/ramona-pageant-announces-2018-cast-list/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
===Cast===
{{updatesection|Most of this cast list is sourced from 2018, primary source is also a dead link|date=September 2024}}
[[File:Ramona Pageant Poster from 1927.jpg|thumb|A poster advertising the fifth ''Ramona Pageant'' in 1927|294x294px]]
* Ramona – Dorise Schukow (1923-1933),<ref name="Hemet Images">{{cite book|title=Images of America: Hemet|year = 2008|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AZCPlMoFDJoC&dq=dorise+schukow+ramona&pg=PA81|publisher=Arcadia Publishing|isbn = 9780738558462|accessdate=6 March 2018}}</ref> Dorothy Bailey Vosburg (1951-1961), Kathi Anderson (1985),<ref name="Labor of Love">{{cite web|last1=Snow|first1=Shauna|title=Ramona Pageant: 'A Labor of Love' : The enduring romance about Old California still tugs at the heartstrings of actors and audiences|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-04-16-ca-2453-story.html|website=Los Angeles Times|date=16 April 1989 |access-date=6 March 2018}}</ref> Kayla Contreras (2016-2023)<ref name="2018 Cast" />{{better|date=September 2024}}
* Alessandro – Bruce Botteler (1923-1933),<ref name="Hemet Images" /> Maurice Jara (1952-1966), Tom Lancaster (1982), Crist P. Thomas (1985-1986, 1989),<ref name="Labor of Love" /> Joseph Valdez (2015-2018)<ref name="2018 Cast" />{{better|date=September 2024}} Brent Howard (1995-1996), Eli Santana (2019-current){{cn|date=September 2024}}
* Senora – Marian Carter (1983-1986, 1988-2005), Adelaide Clarke, Kathi Anderson (2014-)<ref name="Ramona Makeover" /><ref name="2018 Cast" />{{better|date=September 2024}}
* Felipe – Karyl Marker, Winston Peacock, John Murphy, Frank Jaramillo (2014),<ref name="Ramona Makeover" /> Bret Cherland (2018, 2022-), Mark Rodgers (2019)<ref name="2018 Cast" />{{better|date=September 2024}}
* Juan Canito – Ed Poorman, Daniel Martinez (2004-2006, 2018-)<ref name="2018 Cast" /><ref name=":0" />
* Marda – Cesaria Hernandez (2018-2019), Debradawn Shockey (2022), Laura Cherland (2023)<ref name="2018 Cast" />{{better|date=September 2024}}
* Father Salvierderra – Frank Felt, Jim Marbury (2014), Robert Leibovich (2018-2023)<ref name="Ramona Makeover" />
* Luigo – Winston Peacock, Paplo Cifuentes (2018-2019), Mathew Clark (2022), Christopher Guitierrez (2023)<ref name="2018 Cast" />{{better|date=September 2024}}
* Margarita – Paola Cifuentes (2018-2019), Jessie Bocuard (2022), Bella Spelman (2023)<ref name="2018 Cast" />{{better|date=September 2024}}
* Aunt Ri – Monica Reichl (2018-2019), Laura Cherland (2022), Debradawn Shockey (2023){{cn|date=September 2024}}
* Joe – Rafael Wave Hernandez-Minard (2018-2019), Rey Hernanez (2022), Ben Cherland (2023)<ref name="2018 Cast" />{{better|date=September 2024}}
* Father Gaspara – Jim Marbury (2014), Randy Dawkins (2018–2022), Kristofer James (2024)<ref name="Ramona Makeover" />
* Yesidro (Ysidro) – Frank Jaramillo (2018), Raphael Ojeda (2019-)<ref name="2018 Cast" />{{better|date=September 2024}}
* Jim Farrar – Dan Ferguson (2018-)<ref name="2018 Cast" />{{better|date=September 2024}}
===Notable performers===
Occasionally, professional actors have performed in the show, often portraying the romantic leading roles.<ref name= "Labor of Love" />
Performers (listed alphabetically by first name) have included:
* [[Anne Archer]] as Ramona (1969)<ref name= "CA res" /><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.pe.com/2017/01/12/actress-anne-archer-to-appear-at-idyllwild-film-festival/|title=Actress Anne Archer to appear at Idyllwild film festival|date=2017-01-12|work=Press Enterprise|access-date=2018-03-08|language=en-US|archive-date=2018-03-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180309054635/https://www.pe.com/2017/01/12/actress-anne-archer-to-appear-at-idyllwild-film-festival/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* Francesco Sorianello/Frank Sorell as Alessandro (1967-1971, 1975–1978, 1981)<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.pe.com/2013/05/07/hemet-8216ramona8217-actor-francesco-sorianello-dies/|title=HEMET: 'Ramona' actor Francesco Sorianello dies|last=Schultz|first=Craig|date=2013-05-07|work=Press Enterprise|access-date=2018-03-08|language=en-US|archive-date=2018-03-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180309054444/https://www.pe.com/2013/05/07/hemet-8216ramona8217-actor-francesco-sorianello-dies/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[Henry Brandon (actor)|Henry Brandon]]<ref name= "CA res" />
* [[:fr:Jean Inness|Jean Inness]] as Ramona alongside her husband, Victor Jory as Alessandro<ref name= "CA res" /><ref>{{IMDb name | 0409194 | Jean Inness}}</ref>{{better|date=September 2024}}
* Tom Lancaster as Alessandro (1982)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tom Lancaster {{!}} Actor |url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2789251/ |access-date=2023-10-05 |website=IMDb |language=en-US}}</ref>{{better|date=September 2024}}
* [[Jeffrey Meek]]<ref name="CA res" />
* [[Raquel Welch]]/Raquel Tejada as Ramona (1959)<ref name="CA res" /><ref name=":1" />
* [[Victor Jory]] as Alessandro (1933-1937)<ref name= "CA res" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=CJ19370318.2.59|title=Coronado Eagle and Journal 18 March 1937 — California Digital Newspaper Collection|website=cdnc.ucr.edu|access-date=2018-03-08}}</ref>
* Brent Howard as Alessandro (1995-1996){{cn|date=September 2024}}
==Influence==
The play is strongly supported by local residents of Hemet, some spanning generations of entire families, who have had a role in the play, such as managing and leading a group of children acting as Native American kids who play on the hilltop, washing and mending the costumes that the casts wear, and applying makeup to cast members. Although the play was shortened from three hours to two and a half hours, the play's theme of tolerance and message of acceptance haven't been changed. The narrative has remained the same, maintained through the tradition of the play. Alongside ''The Ramona Pageant'', there were also five movie adaptations, one song adaptation, and tourist attractions. The play also launched the successful careers of [[Anne Archer]] and [[Raquel Welch]].<ref name=":0" /> Moreover, it gave an opportunity of exposure in which it altered the public opinions of Native American culture and the history of how they were almost decimated as the country moved forward, advancing in technology and urbanization. The romanticizing of 1850s Southern California also signified the historical heritage and the lifestyle of the indigenous people before industrialization and modernization.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.peoplesworld.org/article/ramona-california-history-at-the-intersection-of-native-spanish-and-white/|title="Ramona": California history at the intersection of Native, Spanish and white|last=Gordon|first=Eric A.|date=2016-04-28|work=People's World|access-date=2018-03-08|language=en-US}}</ref>
==California Historical Landmarks==
A marker at the site reads:
*'' Within this valley was laid part of the scene, and here resided a number of the characters portrayed in Helen Hunt Jackson's historical novel, "Ramona", which depicted life and presented the status of the Indians of many great ranchos in early California beginning around the 1850s. This story, dramatized by the late Garnet Holme, was first presented on this site Apr. 13 1923, becoming annual event.'' Erected 1950 by California Centennials Commission in cooperation with Ramona Pageant Association, Inc. (Marker Number 1009.)<ref>[https://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=50997 Marker database, Ramona]</ref>
Another nearby marker reads:
*''Pochea was one of cluster of Indian villages forming the very large settlement of Pahsitna which extended along the ridge east and west of Ramona Bowl. Pahsitnah was thriving when the Spanish first passed by in 1774. A tragic story tells of the natives contracting smallpox from Europeans; a terrible epidemic spreading, and some survivors fleeing to the area of the present Soboba Reservation.'' Erected 1983 by State Department of Parks and Recreation, San Jacinto Valley Museum, Hemet Area Museum Assoc., Ramona Pageant Assoc. Billy Holcomb Chapter No. 1069, E Clampus Vitus/Second Marker by D.A.R. (Marker Number 104.)<ref>[https://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=50668&Result=1 Marker Database Pochea Indian Village Site]</ref>
==References==
{{Reflist}}
==External links==
{{commons category|Ramona_Bowl}}
* [http://www.ramonabowl.com/ Ramona Bowl, home of the Ramona Pageant]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ramona Pageant}}
[[Category:Californios]]
[[Category:Hemet, California]]
[[Category:Outdoor theatres]]
[[Category:Annual events in Riverside County, California]]
[[Category:1923 plays]]
[[Category:Plays based on novels]]
[[Category:Plays set in California]]