THE REVOLUTION OF EVELYN SERRANO (or, Nochebuena with the Young Lords) by Tlaloc Rivas

There are two secrets Evelyn Serrano is keeping from her family - her true feelings about growing up in their Spanish Harlem neighborhood, and her attitude about Abuela, her feisty grandmother who's come from Puerto Rico to live with them. Then suddenly like an earthquake, events erupt that change everything. The Young Lords, a Puerto Rican activist group, set the street's garbage on fire, igniting a...
There are two secrets Evelyn Serrano is keeping from her family - her true feelings about growing up in their Spanish Harlem neighborhood, and her attitude about Abuela, her feisty grandmother who's come from Puerto Rico to live with them. Then suddenly like an earthquake, events erupt that change everything. The Young Lords, a Puerto Rican activist group, set the street's garbage on fire, igniting a powerful protest. When Abuela steps in to take charge, Evelyn is thrust into the action. Through it all, Evelyn learns important truths about her Latinx/e identity, and the history makers who shaped Nuyorican history forever.

Based on the acclaimed young adult novel, The Revolution of Evelyn Serrano, by award-winning actress and writer Sonia Manzano ("Sesame Street") and infused with actual news accounts from 1969, this stage adaptation captures this fiery, unforgettable moment of history when young Latinx/e took control of their destinies.
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THE REVOLUTION OF EVELYN SERRANO (or, Nochebuena with the Young Lords)

Recommended by

  • Diana Burbano:
    9 Aug. 2021
    “ Beautiful, fierce, poetic, historical. The exploration of heritage and history is so powerful, and so needed. ”
  • Cheryl Bear:
    14 Jan. 2021
    “ A powerful look into the change that takes place when a community is shaken politically and one comes to understand her history and identity in a way that quickly grows her to take a position of leadership. Well done. ”

Iris, a college student, plays: Rosa Maria Evelyn Serrano, teenager (Latinx/e or Afro-Latinx/e) |

Denise, a college student, plays: Carmen, Evelyn’s mother, Migdalia, Evelyn’s friend, and Andrea, a college-age friend of Dolores (Latinx/e, Afro-Latinx/e, or Black) |

Lulu, a college student, plays: Dolores, Evelyn’s co-worker, Dora, a mean girl, Gloria, a reporter, and a Nurse (Latinx/e, Afro-Latinx/e, or Black) |

Nydia, a woman in her 30-40’s, plays: Abuela, Carmen’s mother, and Flora, a folk singer (Latinx/e or Afro-Latinx/e, or Black) |

Gerardo, a man in his 40-50’s, plays: Santiago, Angel’s father, Rev. Carranza, a priest, and Pedro Pietri, a poet (Latinx/e) |

Miguel, a college student, plays: Wilfredo, Migdalia’s brother & Evelyn’s ex-flame (Latinx/e or Afro-Latinx/e) |

Richie, a college student, plays: Ángel, a hyperactive tween, Avery, a college student, and Pepe, a folk singer | (Latinx/e or Afro-Latinx/e) |

Sebastian* | a musician/foley artist (any ethnicity)
[note* the role of Sebastian is optional if the ensemble doesn’t have experience playing musical instruments] |

Setting: A ‘pirate’ radio studio located in El Barrio, New York City |

Time: Christmas Eve, 1979 (and the events of December 1969)

Development History

  • Reading
    ,
    Carnegie Mellon University
    ,
    2019

Production History

  • Workshop
    ,
    New Hazlett Theatre
    ,
    2021
  • Fringe
    ,
    Edinburgh Fringe Festival
    ,
    2021