Stage play: Sheriff Joe deals with the devil

PHOENIX -- The curtain will soon go up on a stage play about Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio and his immigration policies -- in it, the sheriff makes a deal with the devil.

"The play actually opens with a scene in which Sheriff Joe has a heart attack and dies," said James Garcia, the playwright of "American Pastorella: The Saga of Sheriff Joe."

He continues, "And lo and behold, Satan comes along and says, 'If you'd like to live, you have to do this for me.'"

"This" is making sure a family from Sonora, Mexico, does not cross the border and reach Phoenix.

Asked if the play is a political slam, Garcia laughed and said, "You mean, do I think the sheriff's going to beat me up if he sees me on the street? No, this is not a political slam."

He said it's just political satire and meant to be funny.

Cynthia Gutierrez hopes to land the role of La Diabla, the devil.

She's not a fan of Arpaio's, either.

"He's a racist. He just doesn't do much for the Mexican community," Gutierrez said.

Other critics of the sheriff are lining up for parts, including that of Arpaio.

Garcia said the sheriff will be "someone who has at least something comparable to the size of the gut that he has."

Matt Zales would not mind playing Arpaio.

"Of course, he's in the news and it's quite a topic of concern here in the Valley," Zales said.

Asked if he's a sheriff's supporter, he said, "Not at all."

The casting call is still open.

Arpaio did not want to comment on the play, which opens Dec. 4 and runs through Dec. 13 at the Third Street Theater in downtown Phoenix.

Garcia is a journalist and Arizona State University professor in addition to being a playwright. Many of his plays focus on the immigrant drama.