Audiences at the Maintenance Shop this weekend will have their funny bones tickled and their stereotypes challenged when the ISU Theatre performs “Los Vendidos,” a political satire about Hispanic culture.

The production is “kind of a comedic appreciation of Hispanics,” said Justin Schlicher, sophomore in performing arts and cast member.

In addition to “Los Vendidos,” which is a one-act play by Luis M. Valdez, students will also perform an opening skit called “Don’t Panic, Get Hispanic” by the comedy group Chicano Secret Service.

The guest director, Tomas Carrasco, is a member of the Chicano Secret Service, which is based in Los Angeles. He came to Iowa State and put the production together with just three weeks of rehearsal.

“Los Vendidos,” which translates to “The Vendors,” is about a governor who wishes to add more ethnicity to his office and sends his secretary to a store to buy some Hispanic people.

Ashley Lorenz, sophomore in performing arts who plays the secretary, said the people for sale represent some of the most common stereotypes of Latinos – a farm laborer, a gangster, a Latin lover and a Mexican-American business man.

Lorenz predicted the humorous lines would make the audience laughing hysterically, and added, “It will make you look at people around you in a new way.”

“The play is very light-hearted and up-beat, but there is just as much honesty as there is playfulness,” said Nathan Zobel, sophomore in performing arts who plays the salesman.

Zobel said the play was written in the 1960s or ’70s, but was updated and localized to include Iowa personalities, such as Gov. Tom Vilsack.

Zobel and Schlicher both said the rehearsal process was very intense because it was so short, but Carrasco’s skills as a director helped them through.

“He pays very much attention to detail and really likes to get the message across,” Schlicher said.

The production will run at the M-shop for two weekends. Performances will be at 7:30 p.m. on March 29 and 30 and April 5 and 6, at at 2 p.m. on March 31 and April 7.

Tickets cost $4.50 for students, $9 for seniors and $10 for general admission. They can be purchased at the Iowa State Center ticket office, at all Ticketmaster locations or by calling 233-1888.