Sneak Peek of LA GUAGUA 47 Will Be Held at Philadelphia Theatre Company
The free staged reading of Alba Martínez's work-in-progress will be held at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre.
Philadelphia Theatre Company (PTC) will invite audiences to a concert performance of La Guagua 47: A Philadelphia Musical, a new musical written by Philadelphia-based composer and lyricist Alba Martínez and directed by nationally acclaimed theatermaker Laurie Woolery. This 60-minute performance offers audiences an early look at a work-in-progress ahead of its full production, currently planned for PTC's 2027/28 season.
Advance registration is required for the free presentation on Saturday, June 20, 2026, at 7 p.m. at PTC's Suzanne Roberts Theatre.
Inspired by Martínez's own journey and the vibrant Latino communities of Philadelphia, La Guagua 47 follows fifteen-year-old Lucía, who is uprooted from Jayuya, Puerto Rico, after her father's factory closes. Arriving in Philadelphia, she finds herself isolated and invisible, until a ride on the SEPTA 47 bus carries her into the heart of a neighborhood where strangers become family.
“La Guagua 47 began with an experience from my own life, but it has grown into something much bigger than me,” said Martínez. “Seeing the music shared with the community at 5th and Lehigh, hearing feedback from people across Philadelphia, and now bringing the work into development with Philadelphia Theatre Company has been incredibly meaningful. I'm excited to invite audiences into the process and share this next step in the musical's journey.”
The musical's score blends salsa, bolero, bachata, bomba, and reggaetón with contemporary musical theater, and is performed in both English and Spanish, reflecting the lived experience of the Latino diaspora.
“Philadelphia Theatre Company is proud to support artists and stories that reflect the communities that make this city so vibrant,” said PTC Co-Artistic Director Tyler Dobrowsky. “With La Guagua 47, Alba Martínez has created a deeply personal story rooted in Philadelphia, and we're excited to welcome audiences to this special first look presentation.”
Directed by Laurie Woolery and written by Alba Martinez, La Guagua 47 features music supervision by Alejandro Senior and music direction by Nicolas Perez. The cast includes Vanesa Gomez (Adult Lucía), Camille Halais (Young Lucía/Young Titi Ana), Robi Hager (Ensemble), Taysha Marie Canales (Titi Ana/Vecina/Grandmother), Victor Rodriguez Jr. (Emilio/Leo/Vecino), Daniel L. Melo (Tony/Vecino), and Evan Hilborn (Jimmy/Mr. Stone/Vecino). The creative team also includes sound designer Covey Carpenter, stage manager Liz Forrester, and assistant stage manager Jamel Baker.
Alba Martínez (Book, Lyrics, and Music) is a Puerto Rican composer, lyricist, and cultural leader based in Philadelphia. After a 35-year career in law, finance, and public service, she returned to her creative roots, focusing on Latino musical theater and stories that reflect the resilience and joy of Latino communities. La Guagua 47 began as a song inspired by a real bus ride in 1985, later evolving into a film created with more than 300 artists and community members, and now a bilingual musical in development with Philadelphia Theatre Company. Martínez is the founder of Ritmo Lab and currently serves as Artist in Residence at Taller Puertorriqueño.
Laurie Woolery (Director) is a theater director, playwright, and citizen artist whose work centers on community collaboration and new play development. A first-generation Latinx immigrant, she has developed and directed work with organizations including The Public Theater, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Yale Repertory Theatre, Trinity Repertory Company, and the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Woolery is the former Director of Public Works at The Public Theater and a founding member of The Sol Project.
Major support for La Guagua 47: A Philadelphia Musical has been provided by The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage, with additional support from the National Alliance for Musical Theatre and the generosity of individual donors.
Tickets, which are free and open to the public, must be reserved in advance. Visit www.philatheatreco.org/la-guagua-47 to RSVP. They may also be reserved by phone at (215) 985-0420 or in person at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre, 480 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19146.
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