Manning is a new play by Benjamin Benne directed by Adin Walker, receiving its West Coast premiere at Crowded Fire Theater. Following the death of their wife and mother, a father and his two sons spread her ashes in their backyard garden, and when a giant zucchini mysteriously appears overnight, each family member discovers a unique language for grief through encounters with the supernatural vegetable. The cast features Michael Torres as Julio, Caleb Andrew Cabrera as Sebastian, Alonso Melgoza as Freddy, and Michele Apriña Leavy as Ana, with puppeteer Ixtlán Flores and musician Sarah Jiang. The play explores masculinity, family, and the search for connection and healing after loss.
Cast and Creative Team for Manning at Potrero Stage
Cast
Michael Torres
Julio
Caleb Andrew Cabrera
Sebastian
Alonso Melgoza
Freddy
Michele Apriña Leavy
Ana
Creative Team
Benjamin Benne
Playwright
Adin Walker
Director
Carlos-Antonio Aceves
Scenic Designer
Tristan Fabiunke
Lighting Designer
Alexandria Fakayode
Sound Designer
Sarah Jiang
Musician
Meg Neville
Costume Designer
News About Manning at Potrero Stage
MANNING to Make West Coast Premiere at Crowded Fire Theater in San Francisco
July 21, 2026 Crowded Fire Theater will present the West Coast premiere of MANNING, a play by Benjamin Benne directed by Adin Walker, at the Potrero Stage in San Francisco.
Crowded Fire Theater Unveils 2026 Season
December 23, 2025 Crowded Fire Theater has announced its 2026 season, featuring a co-produced Festival of Palestinian Art with Golden Thread Productions and the West Coast premiere of Manning by Benjamin Benne.About the Theatre
Potrero Stage Frequently Asked QuestionsFAQ
What shows are coming up next at Potrero Stage?
Divorced: The Musical! (08/06/26-08/09/26)
"Next Time" (08/09/26-08/15/26)
Waterfall (08/14/26-08/16/26)
"Next Time" (08/09/26-08/15/26)
Waterfall (08/14/26-08/16/26)
What shows have played recently at Potrero Stage?
Arab Spring (06/19/26-07/12/26)
Tales of the City: A Waymo Carol (05/29/26-05/29/26)
The Tramp of the Galaxy (05/29/26-05/29/26)
The End of the Line (05/29/26-05/29/26)
There is No Elevator to Success, You Must Take the Stairs (05/29/26-05/29/26)
LA CUCARACHA (Orange Uncle Sam Invades Mexico!) (05/01/26-05/02/26)
I'm So Glad I Caught The Vomit In My Hand: A Musical Comedy About Parenting (03/06/26-03/09/26)
Spirals and Dirt (02/16/26-02/16/26)
The Specimen - A Horror Play (01/18/26-02/02/26)
Anak ni Tapia: Leaving Mother (08/08/25-08/10/25)
Tales of the City: A Waymo Carol (05/29/26-05/29/26)
The Tramp of the Galaxy (05/29/26-05/29/26)
The End of the Line (05/29/26-05/29/26)
There is No Elevator to Success, You Must Take the Stairs (05/29/26-05/29/26)
LA CUCARACHA (Orange Uncle Sam Invades Mexico!) (05/01/26-05/02/26)
I'm So Glad I Caught The Vomit In My Hand: A Musical Comedy About Parenting (03/06/26-03/09/26)
Spirals and Dirt (02/16/26-02/16/26)
The Specimen - A Horror Play (01/18/26-02/02/26)
Anak ni Tapia: Leaving Mother (08/08/25-08/10/25)
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Pickleball Hillbarn Theatre (8/20-9/13) |
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Dear San Francisco Club Fugazi (9/16-9/30) |
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Catherine Debon’s Lullaby of a Partisan The Marsh Berkeley (8/22-8/23) |
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The Cottage Cloverdale Performing Arts Center (8/01-8/16) |
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Dream Hou$e City Lights Theater Company (5/13-6/06) |
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DRACULA ORINDA STARLIGHT VILLAGE PLAYERS (9/04-9/26) |
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Dev Cuny’s Assigned at Birth: My Funeral Part 1 The Marsh Berkeley (8/19-8/22) |
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Holly Shaw’s ROAR! The Marsh Berkeley (8/29-8/30) |
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Hamilton (Angelica Company) San Jose Center for the Performing Arts (7/07-7/18) |
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Disney''s Beauty and the Beast San Jose Center for the Performing Arts (9/08-9/13) |