HOTEL PUERTO VALLARTA, a legitimate work of dramatic theatre by David Davila

[FULL LENGTH] The Hotel Puerto Valarta (with one "L") is the second most popular drag resort in sunny Puerto Vallarta - which ain't saying much considering there's only two. Though it hasn't been remodeled by the fab five or any other interior designer since the early nineties, some would call its shabbiness chic. Still, others would call an Über to take them to a nicer hotel. That won...
[FULL LENGTH] The Hotel Puerto Valarta (with one "L") is the second most popular drag resort in sunny Puerto Vallarta - which ain't saying much considering there's only two. Though it hasn't been remodeled by the fab five or any other interior designer since the early nineties, some would call its shabbiness chic. Still, others would call an Über to take them to a nicer hotel. That won't stop local drag has-been turned hotel manager, Connie Guisada from dreaming of one day being able to restore it to its former glory! So imagine how Connie and the other queens react when they find out their boss, Barbra Coa, has plans to sell to developers and leave them all unemployed. Can Connie prevent the sale of the Hotel Puerto Valarta (with one "L") by end of business day or will she be turning tricks with the half-naked hustlers out on Playa de los Muertos?
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HOTEL PUERTO VALLARTA, a legitimate work of dramatic theatre

Recommended by

  • Playwrights Foundation:
    28 Dec. 2022
    “ The community of national & local readers for the 45th Bay Area Playwrights Festival in 2022 enthusiastically recommends HOTEL PUERTO VALLARTA as a Semi-Finalist at Playwrights Foundation. We highly enjoyed this play's humor and comical investigation of sacrifice for community. We were compelled by this play's use of stylistic campy farce, snappy dialogue, and range of comic characters. We hope this play is widely read, finds dedicated collaborators, and moves swiftly towards production. #BAPF2022 ”
  • Nilsa Reyna:
    13 Jul. 2022
    “ A hilarious and delightful play that has you smiling and laughing the whole time. I want these characters in my life and we need a sequel! ”
  • Cheryl Bear:
    2 Apr. 2021
    “ A fabulous and heartfelt comedy that just sings as, through all the drama of the sale, there's a lot of love. Well done! ”
View all 6 recommendations

Character Information

This play requires seven actors of mostly Latinx identity to play mostly Mexican drag queens working at a hotel that caters to mostly American Tourists. Mexican accents should not be used unless that is the regular accent of the actor who is cast. However, Spanish words should be pronounced properly.

Most of the drag queens may be played by male identifying actors or trans women with the exception of Teresa who must also play several naked men. Nudity may be required depending on production.

  • CARLOS (aka CONNIE GUISADA)
    Thirties/Forties,
    Mexican
    ,
    Male
    a washed-up, Latinx, drag queen. A Bianca del Rio type when it comes to attitude.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      30s, 40s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American, Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • JUNE
    Early Twenties,
    Asian or Latinx
    ,
    gender non-conforming
    Asian or Latinx, non-binary, amateur drag queen. Has a hole where her brain should be.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Teens, 20s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American, Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American, Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Gender: 
      Non-binary
  • SHANTE HOUSTON
    Thirties,
    African American/ Black
    ,
    Male
    African-American drag queen, ex-pat, and proud floozy. Never met a man she didn't lick - I mean like.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      30s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • BERNARDO (aka BARBRA COA)
    Sixties/Seventies,
    Latinx / Indigenous / Mestizo / Mexican
    ,
    Male
    Aging Mexican Drag Queen. An old fashioned dandy man. An over the top drama queen in the great tradition of Nathan Lane and Leslie Jordan.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      50s, 60s, 70s+
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American, Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • TERESA
    Thirties,
    Latinx / Indigenous / Mexican
    ,
    Male
    A radicalized Mexican anarchist drag queen and cocktail waitress. (Also plays Hotel Guest #4 and Naked Man #1 & #3)
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      30s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American, Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • GUS
    Forties/Fifties,
    Latinx / Mexican
    ,
    Male
    A sexy Mexican Daddy reminiscent of the Dos Equis guy. (Also plays Hotel Guest #2 & the Russian)
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      40s, 50s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American, Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • ALEX
    Thirty,
    Latinx / Mexican
    ,
    Male
    A rich-bitch Mexican twink. (Also plays Hotel Guests #1 & #3, and Naked Man #2)
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American, Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Gender: 
      Male

Development History

Awards

Selection
,
Sin Muros Latinx New Play Festival
,
Stages
,
2023
Selection
,
Egg and Spoon Incubator, Developmental Reading Series
,
Egg and Spoon Theatre Co
,
2021