BWW Q&A: Luis Salgado Talks AGUARDIENTE: WHERE MAGIC TRANSCENDS BORDERS at GALA Hispanic Theatre

GALA Hispanic Theatre is set to premiere AGUARDIENTE, a bold new bilingual musical that blends Afro-Caribbean rhythms with the magical realism of Gabriel García Márquez. Commissioned by GALA, the world premiere marks the theatre's 50th anniversary season.

Helmed by Puerto Rican director and choreographer Luis Salgado, AGUARDIENTE represents a personal milestone as his first full original musical. Salgado's previous GALA productions have been recognized with numerous Helen Hayes Awards, including the U.S. premiere of IN THE HEIGHTS en Español, which took home nine, as well as the award-winning ON YOUR FEET! La Historia de Emilio y Gloria Estefan En Español and a new adaptation of FAME.

With a book by Salgado, music by Colombian composer Daniel A. Gutiérrez, and lyrics by both collaborators, the show weaves together bomba, currulao, cumbia, salsa, and jazz to tell a story about artists racing to finish a new musical, even as one composer's undocumented status threatens everything. The piece will be performed with English and Spanish surtitles.

BroadwayWorld spoke with Salgado about stepping into original work for the first time, why GALA is the only home for this premiere, and the urgency of staging a story about migration and identity in Washington, D.C. right now.

All your previous shows at GALA have won several Helen Hayes awards. What are the expectations about Aguardiente, your first original musical?

It’s both inspiring and nerve-racking. Every show I’ve directed before has been a known title—this is the first time I’m stepping into the responsibility of creating something entirely new. That comes with pressure, but also with deep purpose. Aguardiente is not just a production—it’s a statement. It’s about continuing a legacy of bold storytelling and trusting that new voices deserve space. Being at GALA, collaborating with artists I love, in a place that has shaped me—is meaningful. April 17, for example, was Hugo Medrano’s birthday, and I’m here because he was one of the first people who truly expanded my vision as a director. I literally put aside my life as a performer to follow this path. So the expectation is not just success—it’s to honor that journey, that trust, and to create something that moves the art form forward.

Why GALA and not other DC theatre for the world premiere of this work?

Because GALA is home. GALA is a space that doesn’t censor the creative process. It embraces dialogue—between artists, between cultures, and between the work and the audience. It’s a theater that allows you to take risks, to be bold, and to tell stories that matter without compromise. That’s essential for a new musical like Aguardiente. This is not just where the show premieres—this is where it belongs.

What moved and inspired you to wanting to create an original musical and what of Luis is represented in it?

Everything. My people, my roots, my patria. The desire to inspire our community to believe in themselves. This piece comes from a very personal place—the idea that chasing your dreams comes with sacrifice, with doubt, with struggle. And sometimes, you question everything. But there is power in choosing to keep going. There’s a line of thought I carry with me—this idea that we are seeds. And even when the world tries to bury us, we grow. Aguardiente is my way of reminding our community—and the world—that our stories matter, that our voices matter, and that we deserve to take up space.

You are a Puerto Rican collaborating with composer Daniel Gutiérrez from Colombia. Why mix Caribbean and South American history and rhythms. What is the common root and story you want to share with audiences?

Because that’s who we are. Our cultures are different, but they share a deep emotional and historical connection. The fusion we’re creating—Broadway, Caribbean rhythms, salsa, currulao, bomba, jazz—it’s incredibly rich. Daniel Gutiérrez is doing extraordinary work. Our collaboration has been very organic—we’re building the music together, shaping it with intention, and making sure it carries both authenticity and theatrical power. And then there’s the band—their heart is fully in the music. You feel it. This score isn’t just something you hear—it’s something you experience.

Why is important to stage a show about migration, identity, and resistance in the U.S., especially in DC, at this specific time in history?

Because right now, validation matters. For the past 18 years, through my work with the community, I’ve seen how many people are searching for belonging, for recognition, for a sense that they matter. Aguardiente is a love letter. It says: I see you. I hear you. You matter. Through characters like Alejandro, we explore that journey—the struggle, the resilience, the identity. And doing this in Washington, D.C.—a city so connected to power, politics, and decision-making—it’s powerful to bring forward a story that centers humanity, culture, and truth.

What will DMV audiences see and hear that will make Aguardiente an entertaining, attractive, and mind-blowing experience?

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Review: AGUARDIENTE: WHERE MAGIC TRANSCENDS BORDERS at GALA Hispanic Theatre

5/5/2026