The El Paso cultural scene is mourning the loss of one of its most iconic figures. Hector Serrano, the much-lauded creator of the storied "Viva! El Paso" musical pageant, passed away at the age of 83. According to El Paso Matters, Serrano died of a heart attack while on a Caribbean cruise on Christmas Eve. Ouisa Davis, an El Paso attorney and dance teacher, and Serrano's friend shared the news of his demise.
Serrano, who was on the trip with his longtime friend and collaborator David Mills and Mills' family, has left the community deeply saddened. Amidst handling the sudden loss, there is a request to respect the privacy of Mills as he is currently making arrangements, with Serrano's body still in Jamaica, as reported by KTSM. Before his death, Serrano was a renowned educator, having taught in high school, at El Paso Community College, and at the University of Texas at El Paso.
"Viva! El Paso" stands as Serrano's seminal work, which he created in 1978, bringing the rich multicultural history of the El Paso region to life through song and dance. Staged at the McKelligon Canyon Amphitheater, the production became an annual tradition, captivating audiences for decades. Serrano's influence further extends into the broader theatrical landscape of the area, having been a creative leader for the show until 2002.
Greg Taylor, founder of the UTEP Dinner Theater, paid tribute to Serrano's expansive impact. "Hector Serrano leaves a lasting legacy in El Paso through the vast number of artists he taught and mentored throughout his life," Taylor said in a Facebook post, relayed by KFOX-TV. "El Paso audiences were entertained and enlightened by his many achievements as a director and creator and they will continue to benefit artistically through the work of the students and artists he trained and inspired."
