The Play You Want

by Bernardo Cubría

Fed-up by the theatre world's desires to box him in, Mexican playwright Bernardo Cubría sarcastically pitches “Nar-Cocos” a play about drug dealers on Dia de los Muertos. Much to his surprise, the Public Theatre picks it up. With financial pressures mounting and a newborn at home, this is his chance at a commercial success. But when Scott Rudin offers him a Broadway run on the condition he further exploit his...

Fed-up by the theatre world's desires to box him in, Mexican playwright Bernardo Cubría sarcastically pitches “Nar-Cocos” a play about drug dealers on Dia de los Muertos. Much to his surprise, the Public Theatre picks it up. With financial pressures mounting and a newborn at home, this is his chance at a commercial success. But when Scott Rudin offers him a Broadway run on the condition he further exploit his identity and the headlines, he must decide just how much he’s willing to compromise in order to finally be accepted.

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The Play You Want

Recommended by

  • Clay Sanderson: The Play You Want by Bernardo Cubría
    “

    This is one of the funniest plays I have ever encountered. It also does exactly what satire should, which is call out wrong-doing and hypocrisy in a truly scathing manner. This play skewers the U.S. theatre industry so perfectly, it hurts (in a good way).

    This is one of the funniest plays I have ever encountered. It also does exactly what satire should, which is call out wrong-doing and hypocrisy in a truly scathing manner. This play skewers the U.S. theatre industry so perfectly, it hurts (in a good way).

    ”
  • Franky D. Gonzalez: The Play You Want by Bernardo Cubría
    “

    Equal parts hilarious and devastating, The Play You Want is a razor sharp lampooning of both the American Theatre and of the marginalized artist desperate to "make it." I found myself relating heavily to so much of this play and felt myself wince so many times in empathy at the sacrifices and compromises made by Bernardo in this play. This play will hit you right in the guts as your sides split from laughing and your thoughts go to your own moments with family, friends, and colleagues that mirror the circumstances of this play.

    Equal parts hilarious and devastating, The Play You Want is a razor sharp lampooning of both the American Theatre and of the marginalized artist desperate to "make it." I found myself relating heavily to so much of this play and felt myself wince so many times in empathy at the sacrifices and compromises made by Bernardo in this play. This play will hit you right in the guts as your sides split from laughing and your thoughts go to your own moments with family, friends, and colleagues that mirror the circumstances of this play.

    ”
  • Germaine Shames: The Play You Want by Bernardo Cubría
    “

    Bernardo Cubria is a dangerous man. Were every play as gut-honest, brilliantly written, and utterly hilarious as The Play You Want, EVERYONE would attend the theatre and never want to leave. Riveting to the last line.

    Bernardo Cubria is a dangerous man. Were every play as gut-honest, brilliantly written, and utterly hilarious as The Play You Want, EVERYONE would attend the theatre and never want to leave. Riveting to the last line.

    ”
View all 15 recommendations

Character Information

  • Performer 1
    Plays Abuela and Gloria Estefan. Must be funny and versatile.
    late 40's, 50's
    Latinx
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s,
      60s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Performer 2
    Chloe/Mija/JLO/ A Latina actress 20’s or 30’s. Must be versatile and funny. Plays a white theatre agent, a Lebanese actress trying to pass off as Latina, and JLO. Yes, that JLO.
    20's, 30's
    Latinx
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Performer 3
    Gilbert Cruz/Alfred Molina/ An older Latino actor 40 or 50’s. Must be versatile and comedic. Plays an aging theatre actor and Alfred Molina. Yes that Alfred Molina.
    40's, 50's
    Latinx
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s,
      60s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Performer 4
    Plays Lin Manuel Miranda/Mijo/Pablo/John Leguizamo/White Male Actor: A Latino actor 20’s or 30’s. Must be versatile and comedic. Plays a young actor who graduated from Yale. A 2-year-old baby and John Leguizamo. Yes that John Leguizamo. Oh and Lin Manuel Miranda. Yup the same one. And a white male actor reading stage directions.
    30's, 40's
    Latinx
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Performer 5
    Plays Sam Gold/Chay Yew/Variety Reporter. An Asian American actor 30’s or 40’s. Must be versatile and comedic. Plays directors Sam Gold and Chay Yew.
    30's, 40's
    Asian-American
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Performer 6
    Plays Oskar Eustis/Scott Rudin. Older white male actor 40’s or 50’s. Plays two of the most powerful gate keepers in theatre. Must be versatile and funny.
    40's, 50's
    Any
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s,
      60s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Bernardo Cubria
    Deeply insecure and on the last legs of his career. Desperate to be at that mythical part of his creative pursuit where both family and creativity are fulfilled. Bitter, angry, and petty. But loves his family, his son. Filled with righteous anger and crippling doubt.
    late 30's
    Latinx
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Vera Roth
    No longer enamored with the struggled artist lifestyle. Ready to provide for her family and to establish some security in her life. Will do anything for her son. She speaks her mind but is not mean. She just grew up in a home where people keep it real.
    late 30's
    Any
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female

Development History

Production History

Awards

  • Best Playwriting Award
    Stage Raw
    Winner
    2023
  • Best Writing Nominee
    Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award
    2023
  • Ingenio 2020
    Milagro
    Finalist
    2020
  • Generations: New Play Development Program
    Boulder Ensemble Theatre Company
    Winner
    2020