- Soho Rep and INTAR present
The Potluck
by César Alvarez
directed by Sarah Benson
with Signal Producing Support from Civis Foundation
in collaboration with Spirits Go Blah
June 30 2026 - July 26 2026
Solidarity is just another kind of queerness.
In 1979, five labor organizers were murdered at a protest in the streets of Greensboro, NC, by members of the KKK and the American Nazi Party. A year later, César James Alvarez was born into the survivor community and named for two of the victims. 37 years after that, César got a commission to write a musical about the Greensboro Massacre, but it turned into a show about ghosts… and capitalism…and how to recuperate from trauma that happened to you before you were even born.
The Potluck is a new musical featuring a 12 person intergenerational cast that conjures the soft side of the revolution, and tells a story about what to do when the government is actually trying to kill you.
All performances at Peter Jay Sharp Theater at Playwrights Horizons (416 W 42nd St).
Photo Credit: Ommy Alvarez-Orling
Creative Team
César Alvarez
writer / composer
César Alvarez (they/them) is a composer, lyricist, playwright, and performance maker. They create big experimental gatherings disguised as musicals in the key of inter-dimensionality, socio-political transformation, kinship and coexistence. With a background as a jazz saxophonist, band leader and sound artist, César’s work inhabits a space between the worlds of theater, music, performance art and social practice. César has written seven full-length musicals, FUTURITY (Soho Rep/Ars Nova. 2016 Lortel Award for Outstanding Musical); The Elementary Spacetime Show; The Universe is a Small Hat; NOISE (a commission of The Public Theater); egg; The Potluck; and Painting Mary. At Soho Rep César composed the music for Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’ An Octoroon (Drama Desk Nomination), and Washeteria. César was a 2018-20 Princeton Arts Fellow, 2020-22 Hermitage Fellow, a recipient of The Jonathan Larson Award in 2016, The Guggenheim Fellowship and the Kleban Prize in Musical Theatre for Lyrics in 2022. César teaches at Dartmouth College.
Sarah Benson
Director
Sarah Benson is an Obie award-winning director. Credits include: Minor Music at the End of the World (Internationaal Theater Amsterdam, upcoming Venice Biennale), Tartuffe (NYTW), Teeth (Playwrights Horizons & New World Stages), The Welkin (The Atlantic), Fairview (Soho Rep, TFANA & Berkeley Rep), In The Blood (Signature). Other shows at Soho Rep: Samara; Futurity (also ART, Walker Arts Center), An Octoroon (also TFANA), …Walt Disney, Elective Affinities (site-specific) and Blasted. Recipient of Obie Award, Obie for Sustained Excellence, Vilcek Prize, SDC Callaway Award, Outer Critics’ Circle and multiple nominations from Drama Desk, Drama League and Lortel Awards. Benson was a Director of Soho Rep from 2007 – 2023. Upcoming: Adam Bock’s The Receptionist for Second Stage.
Ana Maria Alvarez
Choreographer
Ana Maria Alvarez (she/ella), a 2020 Doris Duke Artist and an inaugural Dance/USA Artist Fellow, is a southern born, Cuban-American choreographer, performing artist, embodied organizer and mother whose work investigates movement as an ancestral technology and a mechanism for social change. Alvarez founded CONTRA-TIEMPO Activist Dance Theater in 2005 in Los Angeles, CA. She received NEFA National Dance Project support for three works, “Agua Furiosa” (2015), “joyUS justUS” (2018) and a collaboration with holly johnston called “Roots of Loving Us” (2026). Her work has been presented nationally and globally, including multiple times at The Ford, Ordway, ASU Gammage, NC State Live and at Jacob’s Pillow to name a few. Her work has also been presented in Cuba, Bulgaria, El Salvador and in Bolivia, Chile and Ecuador supported by the US State Department (during Obama’s presidency) and BAM’s DanceMotionUSA. She received a BA in Dance and Politics from Oberlin College and a MFA in Choreography from UCLA’s Department of World Arts and Cultures. In addition to her continued work with CONTRA-TIEMPO, Alvarez is currently a tenured professor and head of dance in UC San Diego’s Department of Theatre + Dance in California.
Emily Orling
Scenic Designer / Spiritual Advisor
Emily Orling (she/her) is a visual artist, designer, poet and mother working primarily with paint, clay, fabric and performance. Orling works at the intersection of queer domesticity, motherhood, mental illness, metaphysics, and esoteric spiritual pursuit. Solo Exhibitions: A.P.E. Ltd, Lo River Arts Gallery, 473 Broadway Gallery, Dactyl Gallery. Orling’s writing, spiritual practice and creative labor infests, alters and seeds the work of her partner César Alvarez. They have been creating experimental and participatory music theater performances in collaboration since 2008. She has worked with César Alvarez in varying roles as co-author, performer, designer, dramaturg, and spiritual advisor on the musicals Egg, FUTURITY, The Elementary Spacetime Show, The Universe is a Small Hat, NOISE, Painting Mary, and The Potluck. Orling’s designs and creative work for theater and dance have been seen at Lincoln Center, Soho Rep, Ars Nova, A.R.T., Jacob’s Pillow, Joe’s Pub, Northern Stage, New York Stage and Film, NYU, Princeton, Sarah Lawrence College and Dartmouth College. Her work on the off-Broadway production of FUTURITY earned her Lortel and Drama Desk nominations for Set Design.
Alex Bechtel
Music Director
Alex Bechtel (he/him) creates new works of music, theatre, and musical theatre. He is the composer/creator of the musical Penelope, which has had productions at Hudson Valley Shakespeare, Signature Theatre DC, Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival/Theatre Horizon, Ancram Center for the Arts and Joe’s Pub at the Public Theatre. Off Bway: Music Direction for Night Side Songs at LCT3, Music/Lyrics for Lightning Rod Special’s The Appointment. Regional: Pig Iron Theatre Co, People’s Light & Theatre Co, Arden Theatre, Milwaukee Rep, and 8 seasons of new music for Shakespeare at Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival.
Eamon Goodman
Sound Designer
Eamon Goodman (he/him) is a musician and sound artist / engineer based in Brooklyn, NY. After studying classical flute and dance, he has worked as a sound designer and multi-instrumentalist for Off-Broadway theater, and attended NYU’s ITP. Recent projects include Hole! (A.S.S. / Fringe), Good Luck In Space (MSM), Lydian Gale Parr (The Tank / Amanda + James), The Fires (Soho Rep), Tuesdays With Morrie (Sea Dog), Jury of our Queers (Exponential Fest) and Noise (Dartmouth/Northern Stage).
Qween Jean
Copstume Designer
Qween Jean is a proud Haitian Storyteller and human rights activist committed to protecting all humanity. She’s thrilled to be creating costumes for The Potluck! Recently Qween’s designed costumes for Liberation (Broadway), Cats The Jellicle Ball!(Broadway) Oh Happy Day, Saturday Church, Swamp Dwellers, Wedding Band, Macbeth In Stride, Walden and Donja R. Love’s new film Home.
Jean founded Black Trans Liberation, an organization that provides weekly fellowship, food, groceries and housing resources for the TGNC community. She is the author of Revolution is Love (Aperture). Obie Award. Qween recently won the Audelco Award and Henry Hewes Award for Cats The Jellicle Ball! Jean was a finalist for NYC David Prize. She was the cover of American Theatre Magazine entitled; A New Era! MFA from NYU Tisch. “NO HUMAN IS ILLEGAL” Learn more at blacktransliberation.com
Mextly Couzin
Lighting Designer
Mextly Couzin Broadway: JOB. Off-Broadway: BIGFOOT!, MEXODUS, Rheology, N/A, Fiasco Theatre’s Pericles, Here We Are (ALD), Straight Line Crazy, peerless, Tambo & Bones; Regional: Alley Theatre, Berkeley Rep, Baltimore Center Stage, La Jolla Playhouse, The Old Globe, Seattle Opera, Woolly Mammoth, Centro de Bellas Artes Puerto Rico. International: Théâtre des Champs-Elysées, Nuits de Fourvière. MXD Lighting Co-Founder. 2023 recipient of The 1/52 Project grant. MFA University of California, San Diego ’20. mextlycouzin.com
Taylor Williams Casting
Casting Director
Dante Green
Associate Director
Cast
Anthony Alfaro
César
Anthony Alfaro (all pronouns) is a singer, songwriter, actor and native New Yorker who has been developing the role of César in The Potluck since 2022. Alfaro is more commonly known as Tony, lead singer and co-founder of TONY & THE KIKI- NYC’s premiere glam band. T&TK has a following of several hundreds of thousands of fans across the planet thanks to their funky vintage coded style, electric anthems, insane vocals and viral videos.
El Beh
Jaime / Cello
El Beh (all pronouns only in rotation – if just using one: they/them) is a genderqueer, chinese-american theatre artist, performer, actor, singer, musician, composer, drag artist, mover, shaker, educator, forever student and glowing funcle to many a nibling. Despite what AI says, they primarily reside on Munsee Lenape land, aka Brooklyn. Growing edges and digging deep are her fuel along with shared experiences, community making, alternative mutual aid solutions, spiritual and somatic healing practices, and constantly trying to fuck up the systems that need fucking. He feels big, laughs loud, likes to feel her bare feet in the grass and skinny dip in the ocean. Their recent stage sightings include Mei Ann Teo’s Twelfth Night (Folger), Sam Pinkleton’s La Cage (Pasadena Playhouse) and Wizard of Oz (ACT SF), Taylor Mac and Matt Ray’s Bark of Millions (BAM and international tour) and James Harrison Monaco’s Travels (Ars Nova). Yes. He’s also played Mary Poppins in Mary Poppins. Your anger shows you your boundaries. Thank it. Fuck Ice, Free Palestine and go buy a meal for someone who’s hungry!
Jacob Brandt
Jim / Bass & Guitar
Jacob Brandt (he/him) is an actor and composer. As an actor: Shakespeare Theatre Company, The Hungtington, Williamstown, Bucks County Playhouse, Apple TV+ and many more. As a writer: work produced or supported by Weston Theatre Company, New York Theatre Workshop, Ars Nova, The Civilians, New York City Center, Joe’s Pub, Ensemble Studio Theatre, among others. He is a 2025 Jonathan Larson Grant Finalist and an alum of The Civilians R&D Group. Harvard: A.B. Shakespeare Theatre Company: MFA. jacobbrandt.com @baconjacob
Andrew R. Butler
Bill / Guitars & Moog
Andrew R. Butler (he/him) got his union card playing The Sergeant in César Alvarez’s FUTURITY (Soho Rep/Ars Nova). Also with César: The Universe Is A Small Hat (Baby Castles), NOISE (Northern Stage), The Potluck (NYSAF), and The Elementary Spacetime Show (NYSAF). Elsewhere: Charlie in Stereophonic (Playwrights Horizons, Broadway, West End; Drama Desk Ensemble Award). Andrew’s musical Rags Parkland Sings The Songs of The Future won him the Lortel Award for Outstanding Musical and Lortel and Drama Desk nominations for Outstanding Actor In A Musical.
Sammy Figueroa
Percussion
Sammy Figueroa Legendary percussionist Sammy Figueroa has long been known as one of the great musicians of the world. Born in the Bronx to a Puerto Rican family, he spent most of his childhood and adolescence with his grandparents in Puerto Rico. Known for his ability to play in multiple genres, as a sideman he’s played on countless recordings including David Bowie’s “Let’s Dance”, Miles Davis’ “Man With A Horn” and Mariah Carey’s “MTV Unplugged.” As a solo artist he’s released five Latin jazz albums, two of which have received Grammy Nominations. His most recent, Searching For A Memory/ Busco Tu Recuerdo, dedicated to his father Charlie Figueroa, the romantic boleros singer from the 1950s, was recently honored with a Latin Grammy Nomination. Sammy is also the host of “Social Music With Sammy Figueroa,” one of the most popular shows on Miami’s WDNA-FM radio station.
Rubén Flores
Dad
Rubén Flores (he/him) is thrilled to join The Potluck familia! Credits include Broadway: In the Heights (debut); Off-Broadway: Parrots at the Pagoda, Americano!, 2 Gentlemen of Verona (Public), & Doctor Atomic (Met). Regional: Destiny Of Desire, 26 Miles, It Happened In Key West, Changing Channels, In The Heights, On Your Feet!, Evita, & Cats. TV: “C.I.A” (upcoming), “The Blacklist,” “Pause With Sam Jay,” “L&O Criminal Intent,” “Caroline Rhea Show.” Instagram/X: @RubenFloresNYC. Share your light with the world!
Dionne McClain-Freeney
Sandi / Keyboards / Associate Music Director
Dionne McClain-Freeney (she/her) is a multi-disciplinary artist whose music and lyrics, arrangements, and music direction has been experienced nationally and internationally. Her work has been recognized with Drama Desk, GLAAD Media, and AUDELCO award nominations, and a Princess Grace Award. Recent credits: The Gospel at Colonus (Co-Music Director), Aviatrix (Composer-Lyricist), Show/Boat: A River (Co-Music Director, Vocal Arranger, Composer-Lyricist), The Cotillion (Composer-Lyricist), BRECHT ON BRECHT (Actor, Music Director). She is thrilled to be back in The Potluck.
Jessica Lurie
Saxophone/Flute
Jessica Lurie is a multi-instrumentalist performer, composer, producer, teaching and recording artist, working in traditional to experimental Jazz, Jewish, funk, World and New music. An avid freelancer and leading several groups, current projects are: Jessica Lurie Ensemble, Tiptons Sax Quartet & Drums, Flava Crystals, Sofie Salonika, and Slingshot. Collaborations include international artists such as Heather Christian, John Zorn, Taylor Mac, Nikki Glaspie, Nels Cline, Helen Gillet, Fred Frith, Bill Frisell, Amy Denio, Mark Ribot, Frank London, Allison Miller, Circus Amok and Great Small Works. www.jessicalurie.com
Gían Pérez
Cesar / Percussion
Gían Pérez (he/him) is a Boricua artist. Broadway: Romeo+Juliet (Paris/Samson/Peter). Off-Broadway: Sing Street (NYTW), Comedy of Errors (The Public Theatre). Film: “Good Sex” (Netflix) TV: “East New York” (CBS). As a musician, Gían has worked with artists like Marc Edwards, Elliott Sharp, and his band, Office Hours. Solo albums: Ñ, Bambú, guaynabicho: el gran gringazo de nueva yol. Office Hours: Chino Latino, Florida (coming soon).
Zack Segel
Mike / Percussion
Zack Segel (he/him) is making his Soho Rep debut. As an actor, Zack has performed at BAM, The New Group, La MaMa, and Ars Nova, among other NYC venues. TV: “East New York” (CBS), “Search Party” (HBO), “Hunters” (Amazon), “First Wives Club” (BET+). Feature Film: Datsche, VHYES. Zack worked closely with Young Jean Lee to develop the script of Straight White Men (two-time NYT Critic’s Pick). He also composes music for film and regularly performs as a drummer around the city.
Barbara Walsh
Mom
Barbara Walsh (she/her) Broadway: Falsettos (Tony, Drama Desk, and Drama League nominations, LA Ovation award), Company (Drama Desk and Drama League nominations), Hairspray, Blood Brothers, Big, Nine, Rock ‘N Roll! The First 5,000 Years. Off-Broadway: 3Penny Opera, (Off-Brand Opera), First Daughter Suite (The Public Theater), Summer and Smoke (CSC and Transport Group), Reading Under the Influence (DR2 Theater), Forbidden Broadway. Regional: Dinner With Friends (Old Globe), Master Class (Paper Mill Playhouse). TV: “Goosebumps,” “Law & Order” and “L&O: Criminal Intent,” “Madam Secretary,” “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.”
Partners
International Arts Relations, Inc (INTAR Theatre) – INTAR is New York City’s oldest Latine theatre company. Now in its 60th season, INTAR’s mission is to commission, develop and produce bold, innovative, artistically significant live theater works generated by Latine artists that make accessible the diversity inherent to America’s cultural heritage. Founder Max Ferrá began International Arts Relations in 1966 as ADAL (Asociasión de Arte Latinoamericano) producing classic works in Spanish, before changing with the community over the years to producing new works largely in English and renaming ADAL to its current name in 1971. Over the decades, INTAR has won Obie Awards, HOLA Awards, government recognitions, earned a Tony nomination and supported countless groundbreaking Latine works and artists. Works have included musicals, operas, plays, festivals, puppetry, and a functioning art gallery at INTAR’s former building on 42nd street. María Irene Fornés’ legendary playwrights lab, the HPRL, was formed and run at INTAR, with alumni including Caridad Svich, Migdalia Cruz, Ana María Simo, Josefina López, Cherrie Moraga, Carmen Rivera, Eduardo Machado and Nilo Cruz, who was the first U.S. Latine playwright to win the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. In addition to producing vital new works on its mainstage, INTAR continues the tradition of supporting Latine artist development through programs such as NewWorks Lab, UNIT52, and Open Space Salons. Generations of Latine artists have passed through INTAR’s doors in Hell’s Kitchen, supporting a tradition that continues to evolve alongside artists and audiences.”
Civis Foundation supports innovative civic and creative projects that recognize and uphold responsibility for our shared and interdependent future. Civis believes in working through coalitions and partnerships. The Potluck is the first of three world premieres in “The Hunger Cycle” which is made possible with Signal Producing Support from Civis.
Spirits Go Blah is a performing arts company/collective, founded in 2024, dedicated to developing the work of composer/playwright César Alvarez and visual artist Emily Orling. Their collaborative body of work includes six musicals in addition to gallery exhibitions, films, albums and smaller performances that all exist as a single creative ecosystem. Spirits Go Blah is an organizational architecture, which provides each of these large-scale performances, and the smaller works in their orbit, with production support, fundraising and values-driven infrastructure to allow for their unique flourishing. www.
