One of the most moving and captivating plays in verse, written by a must-watch, contemporary pioneer of verse drama. Mendez's storytelling craft—which merges poetry with dramatic structure—is unmatched. Mendez's words engage audiences, inviting them to connect and empathize with the characters. This facilitates a deeper understanding of a history that demands acknowledgement and recognition.

City Without Altar blends choral composition with unabashed poetry. Mendez weaves in stage directions that imbue metaphor and mood ("Avocado-bellied hills"), while offering vignettes that shake off the constraints of linear time. From a community of women washing rice to fertility festivals for Yemaya, City Without Altar seeks out holiness in the nature of its landscape, and ultimately in the souls and memories of its people - including the audience.