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“There are a myriad of reasons I wanted to do a piece like this,” Guerrero says. “I wanted to celebrate my dad and my best friend and the enormous influence they each had on my life. They both contributed heavily to Hispanic culture.”

Guerrero says he also wanted to educate audiences about Chicano and gay culture.

The 90-minute performance travels through decades of Mexican-American history and the gay experience from a unique and personal perspective from the 1950s until present day. The performance is part of the National Hispanic Cultural Center’s “¡Siembra!” Latino Theater Festival. It’s also put on in conjunction with the Tricklock Revolutions International Theatre Festival.

“These stories represent my two worlds,” he says. “Every story is true and I make my point. What I was careful of doing was not to stand on my soapbox and preach. I wanted to remain celebratory in every way.”

Guerrero was used to producing events and shows but had never written a play. With “¡Gaytino!,” he was able to take the stage again – after a 35-year hiatus.

“It’s never too late to do what you want to do,” he says. “It’s been challenging but I think it’s always important to reinvent yourself.”

If you go

WHAT: “¡Gaytino!”

WHEN: 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 23; 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24

WHERE: Bank of America Theatre, National Hispanic Cultural Center, 1701 Fourth SW

HOW MUCH: $18 general, $15 students and seniors at “¡Gaytino!”8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 23; 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24Bank of America Theatre, National Hispanic Cultural Center, 1701 Fourth SW$18 general, $15 students and seniors at nhccnm.org

Guerrero has been performing the show for a few years and is ready to take it to the next level. He is planning on recording the play in a five-camera, high-definition shoot.

“This has always been a passion project for me,” he says. “What’s great is that the show has resonated with audiences. I didn’t think anyone would care about this show, but they have and continue to do so. It’s inspiring to me and it keeps me going.”

For the Albuquerque show, Guerrero is looking forward to being in a smaller theater because of the atmosphere.

“I’ve performed this show in all types of theaters,” he says. “It’s the smaller, more intimate shows that I really enjoy doing. I get a chance to be in the audience’s life for over an hour and we connect despite all of our differences.”