Evolution of a Sonero

World Premiere
Written by Flaco Navaja
Direction and Dramaturgy by Jorge B. Merced
Performed in English & Spanish
with bilingual supertitles

CAST
Flaco Navaja, Waldo Chávez, Carlos Cuevas, Gabo Lugo, Victor Pablo Gaetán, Hommy Ramos,

TEAM
Set Design by Jorge B. Merced
Costume Design by Emilio Sosa
Lighting Design by Lucrecia Briceño
Sound Design by Milton Ruíz
Stage Manager Jessica Moya
Photography by Michael Palma Mir
Translations by Jorge B. Merced & Melody Rose Vendrell

ABOUT

“I be the son of hardcore South Bronx Puerto Rican nationalists. An aguinaldo, bomba y plena, salsa, rumba singing actor-activist.”

This self-declaration opens celebrated poet, actor, singer, all around entertainer, and Pregones/PRTT ensemble member Flaco Navaja’s first full-length play. Part coming of age story, part love letter to salsa and The Bronx, Evolution of A Sonero delivers a testament to human resilience in a spirited concert theater tribute. Backed by five world-class Latinx musicians in the role of The Razor Blades band, Flaco Navaja draws from Héctor Lavoe, The Doors, KRS-1, and many humorous friends and family that shaped him.

Following sold-out and standing ovation engagements at the Puerto Rican Traveling Theater in Hell’s Kitchen NYC, The Public Theater in NYC, Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa, CA, Ann Arbor Summer Festival in Ann Arbor, MI, and Cara Mía Theatre Company’s Latinidades Festival at the Latino Cultural Center in Dallas, TX, the production returned to its home at Puerto Rican Traveling Theater for a limited NYC encore run right before the pandemic forced all performing venues to close.

Performed in English and Spanish, with dual language supertitles. Encore NYC run produced by Pregones/PRTT in collaboration with Ben DeJesus. Evolution of A Sonero was developed with support from Pregones/PRTT’s Step Up Artists in Residence initiative, funded by The New York Community Trust.

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Praise for Evolution of A Sonero:

“A boiling, bubbling stew that puts out a tantalizing aroma that will have you dancing in your seat, laughing, groaning, humming, and clapping.” –The Front Row Center

“Navaja dominates the stage with his beautiful voice, irresistible smile, and dynamic talent for impersonating the people from his life with loving humor.” –TheaterMania

“This complex performance tells the story of a neighborhood and its people. It is formatted as the various musical parts of the rumba, right down to ending with a coda.” –Theater Jones