SAN MARCOS - A play about the dangers and hardships immigrants face in crossing the border illegally drew rave reviews and tears from audiences at Cal State San Marcos over the weekend.

The play, called "Cruces," or "crosses" in English, was written by Palomar College and MiraCosta College Professor Carlos von Son. It played to capacity crowds Saturday and Sunday at Cal State's 150-seat theater.

"The play was amazing," teary-eyed community advocate Tina Jillings told the audience moments after Sunday's performance ended. "It was truthful and real. It's tough. … My people are dying and we need to stand up and say 'That's enough.' "

The play seemed to touch many in the audience.

"It was incredible," said MiraCosta College student Courtney Evan.

Von Son said he was inspired to write the play, which was performed in Spanish, by the experiences of migrants crossing the border between San Diego and Mexico.

The play tells the stories of 12 migrants who get separated while crossing the border before ending up in different areas, but with similar fates.

Von Son said he hopes his play helps people better understand the risks immigrants take when crossing the border in search of a better life.

"My object is to raise awareness," von Son said.

He said the federal government's illegal immigration crackdown known as Operation Gatekeeper and the San Diego Minutemen and other anti-illegal immigration activists have forced immigrants to cross the border at riskier places, subjecting many of them to cold conditions in the mountains, the heat of the desert and border vigilantes.

He said said that after visiting a cemetery in Holtsville dedicated to dead illegal immigrants, he decided to investigate and to tell the stories behind the nameless grave crosses placed near the borders.

"These people don't really want to leave their community," von Son said. "Most of them are honest people."

A Mexican folkloric dance group called Tierra Caliente performed for 20 minutes before the show, and solo guitarist Eduardo Parra entertained the audience with Charanga-style music during scene changes and as background music for the play.

The five-scene play was performed by volunteer actors from the SubUrban Troupe and Teatro Molcajete. The play was directed by Diana Cabuto, a Cal State student and local actress and play director.

"The actors and director are great," von Son said. "I wrote this play, and every time I see it I still cry."