In a land filled with fruit, the people have no fruit. In a place that produced sugar, the people have no sugar. In a land of abundant food, people starve. It is a land ruled by the power-hungry and only one man stands in the way of this avaricious dictator. That man is Emiliano Zapata, who once said, “It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees.”

The Western Stage of Hartnell College presents an artistic adaptation of John Steinbeck’s classic play of action, ideology and character study, “Viva Zapata!” “Viva Zapata!” is the story of a reluctant but fiery hero Zapata, performed by Geoffrey Rivas, who leads a band of men in an uprising against corrupt landholders in 1910 Mexico.

Branded an outlaw after helping Mexican peasants reclaim their stolen land, Zapata retreats into the mountains with his brother Eufemio, played by Cain M. Camargo.

Then Zapata’s love interest takes priority over his revolutionary activities. He courts Josefa, played by Maria Grazia Affinito, who refuses his offer of marriage because he’s poor and lacks standing in the community. When he rises to the rank of general, she deems him a worthy suitor and they marry. Later, Zapata becomes president, but by then he’s greatly disillusioned and ends up being used as a political pawn.

Zapata’s memory, like his ghost, rides on in Mexico. The indigenous rebel army in Chiapas, called the Zapatista Army of National Liberation, has invoked his name in their struggle against the same social ills that Zapata fought against.

This powerful and dramatic story “Viva Zapata!” opened October 13 and runs through October 29 at the Main Stage, Performing Arts Center, Hartnell College, 156 Homestead Avenue, Salinas, CA 93901.

Tickets prices range from $10 to $20. For more information call 831/755-6816 or visit www.westernstage.org.