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Preview performance tickets at $25. Prices go up for all performances after April 23.

April 20 to May 7, 2023

An Original Pregones/PRTT Music Theater Production

The New York Premiere! 

Book by Gabriel Diego Hernandez
Music and Lyrics by Rachel Elmer and Gabriel Diego Hernandez
Dramaturgy and Direction by Jorge B. Merced

A fast-talking new hip hop musical about the ins and outs of new parenting, mixed heritage, and what makes or breaks your child’s Latinx identity. Written by actor, voiceover artist, burlesque performer, and Pregones/PRTT ensemble member Gabriel Diego Hernández, and incubated through the company’s Step Up Artist Residency program.

The story: 30-something Danny visits the local kids’ playground —super cute baby in tow— and engages in hilarious banter and park bench philosophizing with another parent. The conversation is peppered by wild asides with Daniel’s superlative and musical alter egos, MC Plátano and the Beatboxer.

A Note from the Author and Protagonist:

“In terms of the spirit of the show or why I wrote the damn thing, I’d say that the essence of this piece is me reconciling the knowledge that it’s okay that my son will in all likelihood read as and identify as white with the feeling of loss that there is a huge, hard-won part of my experience that I may never be able to fully pass along to him or have him understand. It will hurt me and cost me if he doesn’t claim his Puerto Rican identity. And also, I accept that he probably will not and ultimately perhaps doesn’t need to. That’s the fulcrum of the play. But hopefully it’s a comedy lol.

My idea for this show originated as a set of reflections and anecdotes about my interracial marriage and my anxieties about the near-certain dilution of my future children. Somewhere along the way, as I wrote joke after joke lampooning my wife and kid for how white they are, I realized I would eventually have to reckon with how white I was too. Spoiler alert!”.

Performed in English and Spanish with titles.
Duration: 85 minutes. No Intermission.

Production photos by David White Studio NYC. World Premiere run presented in association with Mile Square Theater — watch highlight State of the Arts NJ reel below!

 

In-person performances at
THE PUERTO RICAN TRAVELING THEATER
304 W 47th St, between 8th & 9th Avenues
in Manhattan

Buy your tickets early online. Link below or at top of page.

GENERAL TICKETS: Starting at $32

BEST PRICESBECOME A MEMBER and get deep savings for the entire season! When you buy a one year $45 tax-deductible membership to Pregones/PRTT you obtain 25% discount for up to two (2) tickets per event this season.

New! TICKET BUNDLES: See both of our remaining Mainstage shows and save — available now by phone only 718-585-1202. Previews Bundle $46: 1 (one) Orchestra Ticket for each of 2 (two) Spring Mainstage productions on first week of performances; two (2) tickets total. Premium Bundle $70: 1 (one) Premium Orchestra Ticket for each of 2 (two) Spring Mainstage productions on any other week of performances; two (2) tickets total. Please note: Bundles are not tax deductible. Other offers and discounts do not apply.

GROUPS of 10 or more: $20 per ticket! Phone reservations/purchases only. Some date restrictions may apply. 718-585-1202

OTHER OFFERS AND DISCOUNTS: Zip Tickets—in person purchase and proof of residence required, Seniors, Students

For more details call us at 718-585-1202

More About The Artists – Click To Open

GABRIEL DIEGO HERNÁNDEZ is an emcee, voice actor, burlesque artist, playwright, and educator who originally hails from Hoboken, NJ. After receiving a bachelor’s degree in Latin American Studies and a master’s in Education, both from Yale University, he taught history and theater in New York, Connecticut, and New Jersey before transitioning full-time into the performing arts world. He is a proud ensemble member of Pregones Theater in the South Bronx, having appeared in The Marchers, The Desire of theAstronaut, Dancing in My Cockroach Killers, El Bolero Was My Downfall, and ¡Guaracha! Other recent credits include It’s a Wonderful Life (Mile Square Theatre), La Canción (Repertorio Español), El Coquí Espectacular and the Bottle of Doom (Two River Theater), CasablancaBox (HERE Arts), 72 miles to go… (The Alley Theatre), and the world premiere of Quarter Rican (Mile Square Theatre) in March 2023. Quarter Rican was developed through Pregones Theater’s Step-Up Residency under Jorge B. Merced’s mentorship and has had workshops or shared excerpts at various urban gardens in the South Bronx through Pregones’s Stage Garden Rumba programming, the Nuyorican Poets Cafe, Newark Symphony Hall in partnership with Yendor Theatre, Chelsea Factory in partnership with Musical Theatre Factory, and at the Puerto Rican Traveling Theater, where he is beyond thrilled to bring it home for the New York premiere, where it all began five years ago. Gabriel lives in Jersey City Heights with his wife and songwriting partner Rachel and their two young sons.

 

RACHEL ELMER is an educator, songwriter, and recovered performer based in Jersey City, NJ. After several years of performing her music in and around New York City, she decided to commit to the quieter life of her day job, helping high school students apply to college. She occasionally comes out of retirement to perform at friends’ weddings, write music with her husband, Gabe, and, of course, sing to her Quarter Rican children. Rachel is grateful to the incredibly talented artists bringing this music and story to life and to Pregones/PRTT for incubating Gabe’s half-baked initial idea.

 

JORGE B. MERCED is an acclaimed actor, director, dramaturg, songwriter, and arts educator. As Associate Artistic Director of Pregones/PRTT he plays a key role in the development of the company’s acting and music ensemble, creative methodology, and original repertory, and also leads its lifelong arts learning programs. He studied piano and composition at Escuela Libre de Música in Puerto Rico, theatre at City College-CUNY and EITALC/International Theater School in Cuba, dance/choreography at Alvin Ailey School, and forum theater technique with Augusto Boal. Distinctions include the Dewar’s Young Artist Award, BRIO Award of The Bronx Council on the Arts, and multiple recognitions for his groundbreaking LGBTQ-themed Asunción Playwrights Project and juried play competition. He has directed over 20 Off-Broadway Mainstage & workshop productions with Pregones/PRTT, including: Quarter Rican (2019), Evolution of A Sonero (2018), The Bolero Was My Downfall (2017), The Marchers (2015 & 2018), Aloha Boricua (2014 & 2009), Neon Baby (2013), Noche tan linda (2013 – NY ACE Award), Baile Cangrejero (2011), Las Facultades (2010), Brides (2008), Migrants (2008), and Blanco (2006 – NY HOLA & ACE Awards). He serves on The Lucille Lortel Awards Nominating Committee.

More About Pregones PRTT – Click To Open

Pregones/Puerto Rican Traveling Theater (aka Pregones/PRTT) is a multigenerational performing ensemble, multidiscipline arts presenter, and owner/steward of bilingual arts facilities in The Bronx and Manhattan. Our mission is to champion a Puerto Rican/Latinx cultural legacy of universal value through creation and performance of original plays and musicals, exchange and partnership with other artists of merit, and engagement of diverse audiences.

COVID-19 Visitor Safety Info – Click To Open

PLEASE NOTE: Face masks are suggested but not required for this event. By purchasing a ticket or asking for entry to our events, you agree to abide by this rule.
If you have a sore throat, are feeling sick in any other way, or have been recently exposed to COVID-19, we kindly ask that you stay home. We will gladly exchange your tickets to a different date, pending availability.

Our Esteemed Funders – Click To Open

Pregones/PRTT’s Mainstage is generously funded by Ford Foundation, Howard Gilman Foundation, Shubert Foundation, and Scherman Foundation. Programs also made possible with public funds from the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency; New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the City Council; and New York State Council on the Arts, with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature. For a full list of our funders, please visit www.pregonesprtt.org

Directions to the Puerto Rican Traveling Theater – Click To Open

Puerto Rican Traveling Theater
304 W 47th St 
(b/w 8th & 9th Avenues)
New York, NY 1036

Trains # 1, C, E to 50th Street

For more information call us at 718-585-1202

GET TICKETS!

Tckets starting at $32.

Event Details

  • Location

    The Puerto Rican Traveling Theater
    304 W 47th St, New York, NY 10036

  • Date & Time

    April 20 -May 7, 2023
    Thu-Fri @ 8:00PM
    Sat @ 3:00PM & 8:00PM
    Sun @ 3:00PM

  • Collaborators

    Book by Gabriel Diego Hernández
    Music and Lyrics by
    Rachel Elmer and Gabriel Diego Hernández

    Dramaturgy and Direction by
    Jorge B. Merced

    Featuring
    Gabriel Diego Hernández
    Broderick Clavery

    Live Beatbox & DJ music by
    Arabelle Luke

    Stage Manager
    Julia Perez

    Assistant Stage Manager
    Mae Schuberth

    Set Design
    Emmett Grosland

    Costume Design
    Stephanie Echevarria

    Lighting Design
    Lucrecia Briceño

    Assistant Lighting Design
    Emanuel Delgado

    Graphic Design
    Jeison Rivera

    Sound Design
    Jimmy Kavetas

    Production Manager
    Jessica Moya