In 1979, Luis Valdez's Zoot Suit made history as the first Chicano play to premiere on Broadway. That it was a mainstream hit while also delivering an indictment of systemic racism and injustice was remarkable – let alone that it did so with style, humor, and great music by Valdez's brother (who also played the lead role) and "the father of Chicano music" Lala Guerrero. Valdez was ahead of his time when he directed the film adaptation two years later, which blends fantastical and 4th-wall-breaki