Christmas is coming in grand style to the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels this year with two weekends of festivities geared to family celebration, opening with a theatrical reenactment of the Virgin Mary's miraculous apparitions to Saint Juan Diego.

On Dec. 10, The Latino Theater Company will present its third annual performance of "La Virgen de Guadalupe, Dios Inantzin" with a cast of over 50 actors, musicians and Aztec dancers.

"We are delighted to offer this holiday gift to the people of Los Angeles," said Jose Luis Valenzuela, Latino Theater Company's artistic director and professor of theater at UCLA. Last year, more than 2,000 people attended the play, which is becoming a local holiday tradition.

"This beautiful play, with its indigenous Mexican dances and music performed in Spanish, has a broad appeal given its universal message of faith, love and perseverance," said Xhercis Mendez of the Latino Theater Company. Proceeds from an online raffle (www.latinotheater.com) of a guitar personally autographed by Vicente Fernandez, the King of Ranchera Music, are helping to underwrite the musical extravaganza.

Mezzo soprano and East L. A. native, Suzanna Guzman, will sing the title role of La Virgen. Latino Theater Company members Sal Lopez ("Juan Diego"), Geoffrey Rivas and Lucy Rodriguez will perform as well as guest artists Castulo Guerra, Pepe Serna and Dyana Ortelli.

On Dec. 12, a liturgical celebration in honor of the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe will begin with a procession through the plaza at 4:45 a.m. followed by Maņanitas in the Cathedral and Mass at 5:45 a.m. Cardinal Roger Mahony will preside at the 10 a.m. Mass and two Spanish Masses will be held later in the day at 12:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. (Our Lady of Guadalupe "Nochesitas").

A traditional Filipino "Simbang Gabi" Mass will take place on Dec. 15 at 6:30 p.m., with Auxiliary Bishop Oscar Solis as principal celebrant (see page 14 for more information).

Family Christmas Festival

For the first time this year, the Cathedral will host a free afternoon Family Christmas Festival Dec. 18 from noon to 6 p.m. featuring continuous choir-singing by Catholic schoolchildren and culminating with the lighting of the Plaza Christmas Tree at 6:30 p.m. Activities include Christmas storytelling by Cathedral volunteers in the children's garden and a petting zoo on the plaza near the Nativity manger scene.

Also new this year, a children's exhibition of Christmas artwork by local Catholic school fourth-graders is featured in the art chapel next to the mausoleum entrance. "We were overwhelmed by the number of entries we received," said Tiffany Russo, Cathedral director of education and youth services, who received more than 60 pieces of artwork based on the theme, "The true meaning of Christmas."

"People really want to be involved here," said Russo. "The teachers told me that the children can't wait to come and see their artwork in the Cathedral."

Russo said enthusiasm about the festival also extends to the many Cathedral volunteers, several of whom will be readers for the storytelling event from 12:15-4:45 p.m. in the Cathedral Children's Garden. "I plan to bring my two-year-old grandson," said Margaret Chirivella, Cathedral volunteer services and tour coordinator.

A highlight of the Dec. 18 celebration will be a concert by the Los Angeles Children's Chorus at 7:30 p.m. featuring choral works centered on the themes of world hope and peace by noted composers from around the world. Tickets for the concert (available for $15 general seating and $8 for students/seniors at the Cathedral Gift Shop and also at LACC's office: 626-793-4231) were kept in the affordable range "to make the concert accessible to as many people as possible," said LACC Executive Director Janet Wells.

Repertoire for the program includes Claude Debussy's "Noel des Enfants," a musical interpretation of children's experiences during World War I; "Agnus Dei," from a Mass by contemporary Scandinavian composer, Einojuhani Rautavaara; and two Brazillian works, "Rosa Amarella" by Daniel Afonso, Jr., and "Samba de Aviao" by Tom Jobin. Additional works to be sung include Shostakovich's "The Loving Mother," John Adams's "The Palm from El Nino," Witold Lutcslawski's "Muszeika," James Gordon's "Frobisher Bay," Steven Hatfield's "Las Amarillas," and the traditional Hebrew round "Winds of Peace," arranged by Nancy Grundahl.

"We're so excited about having this day-long family festival," said Russo. "We hope people will come and enjoy themselves." Parking at the Cathedral Dec. 18 will be a flat rate of $5. Special family-friendly menus will be served at the Cathedral's Galero Grill during the festival weekends.

The Cathedral Gift Shop will be open extended hours (until 7:30 p.m.) on Dec. 18. For additional information, visit the Cathedral website (www.olacathedral.org) or call 213-680-5271.