From the KPBS Weekend Arts Preview: Manuel Oliver's son "Guac," or Joaquin Oliver, was killed during the Parkland shooting in 2018, along with 16 of his classmates, the deadliest high school shooting in United States history. In the years since, the Oliver family have tried — and continued to try — whatever form of activism they can to prevent more gun violence in the United States. But something about the theater lit a spark for Manuel Oliver. He realized he could capture the attention of hundreds of people at a time in a theater, even if they were not seeking out a story about gun violence — just by sharing a connection. "This is my real life. This is my story, and Joaquin's story. It's just putting together events that are very happy moments. I always like people to remember Joaquin for his 17 years and not for his last two minutes. So that's what the play is about. It's about those wonderful 17 years. Of course we talk about those terrible two minutes, but at the end of the show you will feel empowered," Oliver said. "It's an empowering play." "Guac" will be performed twice in San Diego. The Saturday show is already sold out, but tickets for Friday night's performance at UC San Diego are still available. —Julia Dixon Evans, KPBS From the organizers: Presented by San Diegans For Gun Violence Prevention, Manuel Oliver will hold two performances in San Diego: 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 2 at Mandeville Auditorium at UC San Diego Saturday, Aug. 3 [sold out] About the play: What do you do when you lose a son? Take it from Manuel Oliver, the father of Parkland shooting victim Joaquin Oliver, you have to do what you do best. Fearless, funny, and pulling zero punches, "GUAC – THE ONE MAN SHOW" is an 80-minute “searing” (New York Times) one-man tour-de force theatrical experience about a father turned activist, his undying love for his son, and the story of an immigrant family in search of the American Dream only instead to be confronted by a uniquely American Nightmare.
