Calling Puerto Rico

In New York City, Joel is an amatuer radio operator who has not been out of his attic apartment for about a year. He gets news about Tropical Storm Maria and the potential it has to harm Puerto Rico. Worried, he decides to reach out over the radio to a man he hasn’t spoken to in a long time, his grandfather, Aníbal.
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Calling Puerto Rico

Recommended by

  • Rachel Feeny-Williams:
    2 Mar. 2023
    I am truly gutted that I never got to see this play Iive as reading it alone was an emotional experience. Juan has created a truly wonderful and multi-layered character in Joel and we, as an audience are privileged to look into his world that has been tarnished by disaster and watch as he reaches out to others and connects people. Its a play that will tug at the heart strings and you can't help but keep reading as the story is presented in a way where you NEED to know how it unfolds. No wonder its had great success!
  • Timothy-Talia M. Gadomski:
    28 Feb. 2023
    I was lucky enough to see this live at Seven Angels in CT. It was a magical experience. Such a true to life telling of the tragedy that befell PR. It touched on personal lives as well as the overarching issues that effect Puerto Ricans and the governments regulations that put the residents more at risk. I laughed, cried, and sat with bated breath. For me, the hardest and my favorite part, was when all three storylines are calling for help. Produce this again and again. Trust me.
  • Daniel Repp:
    1 Apr. 2022
    The depiction of Hurricane Maria and its aftermath is intense and heartbreaking. From NYC to PR to ISS, this play will take you on a powerful journey.

Character Information

  • Joel
    25 - 30s,
    Puerto Rican heritage
    ,
    Male
    A ham radio operator. Feeling cursed, he's become a hermit.
  • Melosa
    25 - 30s,
    Any
    ,
    Female
    Registered nurse and landlord. With a hero complex, she's always looking for a purpose.
  • Aníbal
    60s,
    Puerto Rican heritage
    ,
    Male
    Joel's grandfather. Ex-military ham radio operator living in Puerto Rico. He believes Hurricane Maria is going to take him.
  • Rolán
    40's - 60's,
    Puerto Rican heritage
    ,
    Male
    Aníbal's bad neighbor. Caring for Anībal, he desperately takes over ham radio duties to do anything he can to get someone to rescue them.
  • Debra
    30s,
    Any
    ,
    Female
    An astronaut aboard the ISS, she misses her family and uses the ham radio to contact people, specifically Joel.

Development History

  • Reading
    ,
    Repertorio Español
    ,
    2020
  • Reading
    ,
    PlayPen at IATI Theatre
    ,
    2019
  • Reading
    ,
    Infinite Stories with Latinx Playwriting Circle at Primary Stages
    ,
    2019

Awards

Finalist
,
Finalist
,
The Miranda Family Voces LatinX Playwriting National Playwriting Competition
,
2020
Winner
,
Bronx Recognizes It's Own Award
,
Bronx Council of the Arts
,
2019