Walter Mercado presents: a queer Puerto Rican (not just) Christmas Spectacular

by Jayne Deely

We all need a little help sometimes. Identity is confusing. Dating is HARD. Some of us go to therapy. And some of us – wait until it gets bad enough that our dead abuela sends three Puerto Rican ancestors/pop culture icons our way on Christmas Eve to get us back on track by taking us on a tour of our past, present, and future.
Meet Zee. It was just supposed to be three dates, but Walter Mercado has other plans...

We all need a little help sometimes. Identity is confusing. Dating is HARD. Some of us go to therapy. And some of us – wait until it gets bad enough that our dead abuela sends three Puerto Rican ancestors/pop culture icons our way on Christmas Eve to get us back on track by taking us on a tour of our past, present, and future.
Meet Zee. It was just supposed to be three dates, but Walter Mercado has other plans.

A spin on the classic Christmas Carol story about queerness, Puerto Rico, friendship, and accepting a helping hand from the ancestors.

Oh, and sobre todo mucho, mucho, mucho ...

Not yet.

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Walter Mercado presents: a queer Puerto Rican (not just) Christmas Spectacular

Recommended by

  • Alli Hartley-Kong: Walter Mercado presents: a queer Puerto Rican (not just) Christmas Spectacular by Jayne Deely
    “

    I had the pleasure of seeing a reading of this through Avant Bard's Scripts in Play festival, and thoroughly enjoyed this play! The play displayed a thoughtful and culturally-responsive approach to gender identity; I was particularly struck by the lines about Walter's gender being Walter and the beautiful guidance all 3 ghosts gave Zee. I look forward to following the evolution of this play and hope to see a full production one day!

    I had the pleasure of seeing a reading of this through Avant Bard's Scripts in Play festival, and thoroughly enjoyed this play! The play displayed a thoughtful and culturally-responsive approach to gender identity; I was particularly struck by the lines about Walter's gender being Walter and the beautiful guidance all 3 ghosts gave Zee. I look forward to following the evolution of this play and hope to see a full production one day!

    ”
  • Doug Robinson: Walter Mercado presents: a queer Puerto Rican (not just) Christmas Spectacular by Jayne Deely
    “

    Read this play! Read it and then read it again. Jayne lovingly mines the deceptively simple structure of A Christmas Carol and brings out a treasure trove of mirrored surfaces for not only Zee to better see themselves but also for the audience to remember that where you come from, where you are, and where you can go are all still you.

    Read this play! Read it and then read it again. Jayne lovingly mines the deceptively simple structure of A Christmas Carol and brings out a treasure trove of mirrored surfaces for not only Zee to better see themselves but also for the audience to remember that where you come from, where you are, and where you can go are all still you.

    ”

Character Information

  • Zee
    20's, afab nonbinary, white passing Puerto Rican, bartender, smart, defended
    20's
    Light Skinned Puerto Rican
    AFAB nonbinary
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Non-binary
  • Walter Mercado
    Puerto Rican astrology icon. 70's. Fabuloso. Wise. Mystical. Walter's gender is fabuloso. This role can be played by any gender.
    70's
    Puerto Rican
    Any
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
  • Bobbi
    20's/early 30's, female, white, comfortable with her own sexuality, friend of Zee, also a bartender. ALSO plays NAT.
    20's/early 30's
    White
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Trevor
    20's/early 30's, male, confusingly astute and aware, sober. Also plays LUKE.
    20's/early 30's
    open
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Maria
    Ageless. Zee's abuela. Puerto Rican. Feel free to shy away from the stereotypical idea of an 'old puerto rican abuela.'
    60's/open
    Puerto Rican
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Shannon
    20's/early 30's, female, a new doctor, doesn't get out much, a lightweight when it comes to alcohol. Possible double with Yolanda.
    20's/early 30's
    open
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Yolanda Vega
    New York Lottery Icon, female, Puerto Rican, from Brooklyn. Possible double with Shannon.
    50's
    Puerto Rican
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Associate Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor
    female, first woman of color on the Supreme Court, Puerto Rican, from the Bronx.
    60's
    Puerto Rican
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      60s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female

Development History

  • Residency, American Stage Lift Every Voice New Play Festival, 2023
  • Workshop, IU Bloomington , 2022

Production History

  • University, IU Bloomington, 2022