Neon Baby

World Premiere
An original Pregones Theater production,
inspired by Arnaldo Cruz-Malavé’s book
Queer Latino Testimonio, Keith Haring, and Juanito Xtravaganza: Hard Tails
Conceived and Directed by Jorge B. Merced
Music and Lyrics by
Desmar Guevara and Jorge B. Merced
Additional Music and Lyrics by
E. Hernández, J. Castro, R.P. González and Pregones’ Ensemble
Book Ricardo Pérez González
Performed in English with Spanish supertitles

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

TEAM
Assistant Director Tony Vargas
Musical Director Desmar Guevara
Assistant Musical Director Jorge Castro
Sets and Costumes Harry Nadal
Lighting Design Lucrecia Briceño
Choreography Richard Rivera
Graff Art Reph Star
Production Manager Alvan Colón Lespier
Assitant Technical Producer Jessica Moya
Sound Engineer Milton Ruiz
Stage Manager Lily Páez
Translations Sol Crespo
Hair & Make-up Ivan Pérez
Carpenter Bobby Bodón
Assistant Lighting Designer Dans Sheehan
Wardrobe Jorge Castilla
Photography Marisol Díaz

Creative development and premiere generously funded by the National Endowment for the Arts.

Special Thanks to BAAD, Arnaldo Cruz-Malavé, Karl Xtravaganza, Arturo Ortíz, and Juan Rivera’s family.

In Memoriam
JUAN RIVERA XTRAVAGANZA
(1956-2011)

ABOUT
NEON BABY is 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. The action is set in a mythical dance club called Paradise —in homage to 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 well-being amidst the AIDS crisis. Second, the furious bond between the runaway boy, the city that seduces him, the man that breaks his heart, and the House of Xtravaganza who welcome and cherish him as one of their own.

SYNOPSIS
Juan Rivera, a Puerto Rican boy from Connecticut, runs away from home to New York City, finds love and heartbreak and a queer new family in its legendary nightclubs, travels the world, faces devastating illness, and is relentless about bearing witness to all his fortunes, good and bad.