ALBERT SOTO

posted by James Reel

    Every year, a highlight of Borderlands Theater’s A Tucson Pastorella has been the leering, sneering Lucifer played by Albert Soto. Albert seemed perfect for the part, holding everything in contempt, and all too willing to share a slice of malevolence with whoever crossed his path. But the real Albert Soto, at least the one I knew a little, was nothing like that. He smiled easily; his job at the Tucson Pima Arts Council was to help people, not hurt them, and he did it gladly. Not just for a paycheck, either; Albert worked beyond the scope of his official duties to assist artists, and he also volunteered for several important social efforts not related to the arts at all.
    On Friday morning, a friend called to tell me that Albert had suffered a massive stroke on Thanksgiving. The family took him off life support, and Albert died Saturday. He was only 51.
    I didn’t know Albert well, but I liked him, and respected his work at TPAC. Rumor has it that things had not been going well for Albert at TPAC during the past couple of years, but I don’t know any details and will withhold comment. It’s not the sort of detail you’ll find in a newspaper obit such as this, and probably that’s just as well. It’s better to remember Albert for his achievements rather than his frustrations.