A big mouth can lead to numerous situations, from getting in trouble with parents to speaking out against oppression.

Fulton director Barry Kornhauser hopes a big mouth will lead audiences to come and watch the first regional production of the award-winning children's play "¡Bocón!" this weekend.

The Fulton Family Theatre Series will perform the play, which deals with current issues, including immigration, war and the silencing of dissent.

Kornhauser said "¡Bocón!" — Spanish for "big mouth" — is a play he has been interested in performing for almost two decades.

"('¡Bocón!' is) pretty timely at all times," Kornhauser said. "It really talks to all children about the need to not be afraid to speak up when you're in trouble or in pain or even when something is troubling you."

The play centers around the character of Miguel, a "big mouth" in his small Central American community. Miguel loses his voice after his parents are kidnapped and presumably killed by the military, and he has to go on a journey to find it again.

Miguel ends up trying to make his way to Los Angeles before he is picked up by immigration agents and sent back to his country.

Kornhauser said "¡Bocón!" is a metaphor for all of us to go out and find our own voice and provides a new understanding and respect for different cultures. He said the play has been a discussion starter for how kids live in other parts of the world.

"¡Bocón!" is a bilingual play, as characters repeat many of the lines in both Spanish and English. Kornhauser said he has heard from audiences that speak English as a second language that they have enjoyed hearing Spanish spoken in the play.

The play also utilizes Central American theater tools, such as continually changing masks and live Spanish music.

Andy Kindig, who plays the character of Miguel, described the character as a scared young child living in an oppressive society. Through the play he has to learn to speak up and speak out, which Kindig said is important in finding a voice to speak against oppression.

Kindig said he enjoys staging children's theater because he is performing for an audience that wants to go on an imaginary journey.

"It's that sense of wonderment and sense of adventure that really opens your eyes up," Kindig said.

Charlie DelMarcelle, who plays several characters in "¡Bocón!," said the play is one of the most fun he has been involved in during his 12 years with the Fulton. He said there are several quick costume changes and a lot of action in a 50-minute performance.

On its surface, "¡Bocón!" is an entertaining hero's journey, DelMarcelle said, but it also has an underlying message of identity and what it means to take a stand against oppression and immigration law.

"You want to create a platform for discussion and debate," DelMarcelle said.

Rounding out the five-person cast are Yolanda London, Brian Martin and Stephanie Jo Wise.

London plays the character of La Llorona, known as the "Weeping Woman" in Central American mythology. She stands eight feet tall on stage with the aid of some drywall stilts, and is continually wailing.

London, who has worked at a children's theater in Arizona for the last four years, said she has enjoyed taking the play into schools.

Wise, who is in her second year performing with the traveling group, plays Miguel's mother and several children.

"When you hear (the children) laugh, it makes it all worth it," Wise said.

¡Bocón!, presented by Fulton Family Theatre, today 7 p.m., Sat. 1 and 7 p.m., 4th Floor Studio Theatre, Fulton Opera House, 12 N. Prince St., $15, 397-7425.

E-mail: myoder@lnpnews.com