The Guilt Mongers or Los Traficantes de Culpa (for those not willing to submit to the Anglicization of our people) by C. Julian Jiménez

Bruno Santiago is estranged from his family. They never accepted his unapologetic Queerness. But when his mother is admitted to a Bronx hospice, he rushes to her bedside with his partner of 10 years… and their new 23-year-old Mexican boyfriend. His disapproving Boricua family is outraged by Bruno’s flaunting of an amoral three-way relationship. Bruno defends his relationship and confronts a half-uncle stirring...
Bruno Santiago is estranged from his family. They never accepted his unapologetic Queerness. But when his mother is admitted to a Bronx hospice, he rushes to her bedside with his partner of 10 years… and their new 23-year-old Mexican boyfriend. His disapproving Boricua family is outraged by Bruno’s flaunting of an amoral three-way relationship. Bruno defends his relationship and confronts a half-uncle stirring up unsettled feelings from his past. Fights, tears, and heartbreak abound while a hospice nurse juggles to deal with the family drama and the matriarch’s spirit using her as a sounding board for life-long resentments.
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The Guilt Mongers or Los Traficantes de Culpa (for those not willing to submit to the Anglicization of our people)

Recommended by

  • Shaun Leisher:
    30 Jun. 2021
    “ The family reunion death bed play is a well-worn genre in the American theatre. I don't know if C. Julian Jimenez breathes new life into the genre but he has crafted an entry into it that deserves to be oft-produced. ”
  • Andrew Rosendorf:
    26 Jun. 2021
    “ A beautiful play. Painful. Raw. Brave. And funny. Everything I love about C. Julian's writing is on full display - his wit, his heart, his complexity. And that nothing is every easy - but always human. Gorgeous. ”
  • Ali MacLean:
    30 Aug. 2019
    “ Julian has crafted a wonderful sprawling family drama that tackles the toxic family tree by chopping off many branches. This family, full of unique and richly drawn characters, are gathered at the deathbed of a matriarch. They can't seem to accept one another - whether it be because of sexual orientation, social class, race, or the decision to reproduce. All of these topics are tackled with arch, quick-paced dialogue, and aching longing for understanding. Gorgeous. ”
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Development History

  • Reading
    ,
    Repertorio Español
    ,
    2017
  • Reading
    ,
    INTAR Theatre
    ,
    2016

Awards

Finalist
,
The 2019-2020 In-Progress New Play Reading Series
,
Unicorn Theatre
,
2019
Finalist
,
National Playwrights Conference
,
The Eugene O'Neill Theater Center
,
2019
Winner
,
MetLife Nuestras Voces' National Latino Playwriting Competition
,
Repertorio Español
,
2017