Latin Lover, Raul, has arrived to New York and he’s looking for his next lover. This macho alpha Ecuadoriano enravels himself in telling the story of his life through the rhythm of a salsa song looking to change his old ways.
Written like a salsa song infused with love, legacy and liquor, we follow the ritmo of Raul y Mirasol as they find themselves stuck in generational burdens. As beliefs clash and memories become clearer “al compas del son”, their minds channel truths their heart y Dios can't hide.
How we got here Latin Lover is a new play with live music stemming from Ed Cardenas’s journey from Ecuador to New York City. As he reflected on the lifestyle back home and the cultural contrasts in his new environment, he turned to what he knows best: theater and salsa music. Latin Lover captures those experiences with rhythm, humor, and heart.
The production had its first workshop at The Chain Theatre’s One-Act Festival in February 2025. To the team’s surprise, it sold out completely — even prompting an added performance date. Driven by a need for representation and a desire to spotlight a distinctive theatrical voice, this show brings live music and Latin flavor to the stage, which we knew we couldn't let that spark drop.
In partnership with LaGuardia Performing Arts Center (LPAC), Latin Lover will have a barebones production to expand the development of the story with a live salsa band. We’ll get to see it at LaGuardia Performing Arts Center (LPAC) on October 9, 10, and 11 with your help!
The Little Theater at LaGuardia Performing Arts Center For this barebones production, we’ll be using the Little Theater, a 200-seat multipurpose theatre at LPAC. LPAC is an internationally recognized producer and presenter of new live dance, theater, music, and multidisciplinary programming that reflects the dynamic community of Queens and the surrounding New York City. LPAC is located within LaGuardia Community College (LAGCC), a cultural crossroads that provides an educational and artistic home to New York City’s most diverse community. Each year, nearly 20,000 individuals attend LPAC performances by some of today’s most exciting international artists.
The team behind Latin Lover are almost all LAGCC alumni! We’ve performed in the Little Theater, watched LPAC’s Rough Draft Festival, and even ushered a few shows. The Little Theater is our “home.” Through all the countless nights of endless rehearsals, studying, and just hanging out with our friends right in front of it, we now have the honor and privilege to give something back to the sanctuary that once helped us navigate through college.
We found our love for theater right at this very place, so we knew bringing the next stage of the play here was the necessary.
Our main creative team are not only mainly LAGCC alumni, but insanely talented at what they do!
Ed Jr Cardenas (Playwright) is an Ecuadorian multidisciplinary artist, making his Off Broadway DEBUT as a writer with his first play Latin Lover. Currently pursuing a BFA in Acting @ Brooklyn College, he strives to add on the legacy of many Latino/a’s actors and writers by shining a light in our stories. Let our history not be erase. Disfruten un pedazo de historia latina. Gracias to the original mijis (mi madre) for inspiring me!
Randy Arbujo (Director) is primarily a Brooklyn-based Actor. Off-Broadway: A Man Among Ye, Anonymous (The Players Theatre), Sober Play, Crayon Sun (Puerto Rican Traveling Theatre) Brooklyn College credits include; Derecho, by Noelle Viñas and The Tuesday Club murders, an original play by Lauren Zeftal. Recently, he started a new original project @whosscript where he shows his process of self-tapes and collaboration work with other fellow actors. This is Randy’s debut as a director.
Una Bharat (Producer) is an aspiring entrepreneur, NYer, and former ballerina! She’s produced films for SUNY Purchase, plays at 24 Hour Plays, and was a Production Intern at Last Week Tonight at John Oliver. She founded a production company in college, Unheard Voices Production. Currently, she is on the Development team at The Public Theater. She is so honored to be part of this team.
Jose Velasquez (Music Director) is a classically trained opera singer and seasoned performer. With nearly two decades of experience, a degree from the Manhattan School of Music, and a background in music education, Jose’s artistry bridges music and theater, making him and his band a compelling presence on stage.
Our Total Budget: $8K This is the tricky part! Our budget for this production is around $8,000~. We have a 9-person cast, 5-member salsa band, complex and interchanging set pieces, and in search of the perfect salsa costumes (which can be pricey)! The totals for fair compensation to cast, crew, and band come out to about 66% of our entire budget. Set design, costumes, and other production factors fill the rest of the percentage.
We only have the month of September to rehearse this 90 minute play with our salsa band. To account everyone's effort and commitment towards this project, they deserve a fair stipend.
As our set design and costumes are still being designed, materials are not so cheap either! A traditional salsa dress can go upwards of $150+.
We need your support to take this production to the next level and provide fair compensation for the cast and crew that are diligently working on bring Latin Lover to life!
Pictures from our run at The Chain Theater's One-Act Festival in February 2025 In a time when Hispanic and Latino families are being torn apart—targeted, racially profiled, and removed from their communities—representation through art is more vital than ever. Latin Lover is more than a play; it's a cultural statement. It not only unites the Latino community but also resonates with others who have long been underrepresented in an industry that often lacks ethnic diversity.
This story reflects the generational trauma that many immigrant families face daily. While it acknowledges the stereotypes, it challenges them, revealing the depth, resilience, and richness of Latino culture.
We’re proud to give back to the college community that once supported us and by investing in this project, you're helping pave the way for students—just like we once were—to pursue the arts with courage. Many of us began our college journeys in fields like Computer Science or Medical School, driven by family expectations and cultural pressure, while the arts were dismissed. If it weren’t for the encouragement we received from our peers, Latin Lover wouldn’t exist.
Playwright's Statement "I know some people get tired of me talking about Salsa, but it played a huge part in my life. When I moved out of my mother's house back in Ecuador, Salsa was the one thing that stayed with me. I’ve always wondered if people actually listened to the stories hidden in the music. I found myself observing moments where we dance to la muerte of “El Gran Varon” o la infidelidad en “Lloraras”, and I’ve noticed que aparte del gran ritmo, there's something else happening. We dance not just for joy, but for relief. For a few minutes, the weight we carry culturally - emotionally feels lighter.
Mi madre nunca se cansaba de bailar because in some way, this was her opportunity to have some fun and forget about the chaos her kids were doing - I love you madre.
Writing Latin Lover came from living those moments, from wanting to honor that weight. But it also came from frustration. I feel like if you want to write about your culture being pushed away, stories being erased, rhythms being misunderstood, you have to be frustrated to do so. And I’m grateful for that anger. It led me back to myself. It pushed me to research, to listen, to understand the impact my culture has made in this country, even when no one’s watching." - Ed Jr Cardenas
Pictures from our Developmental Reading in June 2025 In the midst of the chaos we are fearlessly embarking on, one thing that holds true is the culture that's rooted not only in our blood but in this city. Our message is present, but to create it we need assistance. Salsa is more than what we hear, it is a spirit that travels throughout our bodies, it is the existence that provides us comfort, love and solutions.
In a divided world in which we stand today, Music is the only string that connects us and with your help we are able to tie it together.
