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NEON BABY

Pregones is thrilled to announce a new world premiere musical play, born and bred by our award winning ensemble, right here in Da Bronx!

Inspired by the life of b-boy and muse Juan Rivera and the book Queer Latino Testimonio, Keith Haring and Juanito Xtravaganza: Hard Tails by Arnaldo Cruz Malavé, NEON BABY is a funky new musical set in a mythical dance club called Paradise —inspired by the famed Paradise Garage— where runaway gay youths of color find the family and the courage to let their better selves shine through.

Two passions take center stage in the story: First, the passion of a mother praying from a distance for her son's safety and well-being in the big city, amidst the AIDS crisis. Second, the furious bond between the runaway boy, the city that seduces him, the man that breaks his heart, and and the strangers who welcome and cherish him as one of their own.

NEON BABY is a funkalicious story about the love of a mother for her son, a son for his mother, a boy for his sisters and brothers, blood family and chosen family, lovers and fighters — each and all hopeful and fierce and drunk with radiant music.

A lifting remembrance of New York City at the turn of the last century, and a love letter to the children who made that era truly legendary!

Above: Juan Rivera during the House of Xtravaganza's Tiffany Ball on May 24, 1992, at The Supper Club in New York City. Photo courtesy of Karl Xtravaganza.

An Original Pregones Theater Production

Conceived and Directed by
Jorge B. Merced

Book by
Ricardo Pérez González

Music and Lyrics by
Desmar Guevara and Jorge B. Merced

Additional Music and Lyrics by
Elise Hernández, Ricardo Pérez-González, and Ensemble

Choreography by
Richard Rivera

Sets and Costumes by
Harry Nadal

Featuring: Chad Carstarphen, Sol Crespo, Elise Hernández, Jonathan Hoover, Omar Garibay, Cedric Leiba Jr., Ashton Pina, Carlos Salazar, Mayte Natalio, Maria Ramos.

NOTE: Performed in Spanish and English with supertitles. Recommended for mature audiences.

WORLD PREMIERE Limited Run
—Only 20 Performances—

MAY 2 to June 2, 2013
Thursdays thru Saturdays @ 8PM
Sundays @ 3PM

GET TICKETS HERE >>
or click on dates listed below:

This program is made possible by public funds from the National Endowment for the Arts, New York State Council on the Arts, and New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the City Council. Other major funding provided by The Ford Foundation. For a complete list of institutional funders, click on Sponsors link below. Special thanks to Southwest Airlines, Official Airlines of Pregones Theater.

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