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Full Cast Announced for the World Premiere Engagement of Basura

The Inspiring True Story of Finding Music in Unlikely Places

MAY 30 – JULY 12, 2025 ON THE COCA-COLA STAGE

Introducing
JACI CALDERON

Featuring
DARIO ALVAREZ, ZACK CALDERON, NATHAN DIAZ, ISABEL GONZALEZ, MICHELLE ZINK-MUÑOZ

With
KEVIN DEL AGUILA

And
MANDY GONZALEZ

Joined By
DAVID ANDINO, MONICA GARCIA BRADLEY, VICTORIA GÓMEZ, MICHAEL MARRERO, GAGE MARTINEZ, AVITAL TIKVA MASRI, KARA MENENDEZ, COTY PERNO, JULIO REY, LANNIE RUBIO, DIEGO TURNER-FIGUEREDO, and ARIANA VALDES

MUSIC & LYRICS BY GLORIA ESTEFAN and EMILY ESTEFAN
BOOK BY KAREN ZACARÍAS
DIRECTED BY MICHAEL GREIF
CHOREOGRAPHY BY PATRICIA DELGADO
MUSIC SUPERVISION, ORCHESTRATIONS and ARRANGEMENTS BY ALEX LACAMOIRE
DRAMATURGY BY KEN CERNIGLIA

FEATURING
SCENIC DESIGN BY DAVID KORINS
COSTUME DESIGN BY DEDE AYITE
LIGHTING DESIGN BY BEN STANTON
SOUND DESIGN BY PETER HYLENSKI

Alliance Theatre and producers Michael Shulman and Colin Callender announced today the complete casting for the world premiere production of BASURA, a new musical with original music and lyrics by Gloria Estefan and Emily Estefan, premiering at Alliance Theatre on Saturday, May 30, 2026.

The production will star newcomer Jaci Calderon in the leading role of “Nambi with Dario Alvarez as “José,” Zack Calderon as “Nunu,” Nathan Diaz as “Dani,” Isabel Gonzalez as “Blanca,” and Michelle Zink-Muñoz as “Sofía” with Emmy Award® winner and Tony Award® nominee Kevin Del Aguila (Some Like It Hot, Peter and the Starcatcher) as “Mario” and Drama Desk Award Winner Mandy Gonzalez (In The Heights, Hamilton) as “Mónica.”

The production’s ensemble will include David Andino, Monica Garcia Bradley, Victoria Gómez, Michael Marrero, Gage Martinez, Avital Tikva Masri, Kara Menendez, Coty Perno, Julio Rey, Lannie Rubio, Diego Turner-Figueredo, and Ariana Valdes.

“What excites us most about this cast is the thrilling blend of theatrical veterans and emerging young talent that audiences are destined to fall in love with. Michael Greif’s ability to cultivate and discover new talent is a hallmark of his career and we can’t wait for the world to see Jaci Calderon take center stage. With Mandy Gonzalez originating her most significant role in a new musical since her career-defining turn as Nina in In the Heights, Kevin Del Aguila bringing his usual award-winning brilliance and charm, and a company of exceptional artists, we have a powerhouse cast bringing this inspiring true story to life on stage alongside a world class creative and design team.”

As previously announced, BASURA will be directed by the Broadway stage visionary and five-time Tony Award nominee Michael Greif (Rent, Dear Evan Hansen), written by National Latino Playwriting Award-winner Karen Zacarías (Native Gardens, Destiny of Desire). Grammy Award®, Tony Award® and Emmy Award ® winner Alex Lacamoire (Hamilton, In the Heights) is the musical supervisor, orchestrator, and arranger. Tony Award® winner Patricia Delgado (Buena Vista Social Club) will choreograph, Ken Cerniglia (Hadestown, Newsies) is the dramaturg, Cynthia Meng (Dead Outlaw) is the Music Director, Andy Señor Jr. (“Revolution Rent”) is the Associate Director, Phil Colgan is the Associate Choreographer and Casting is by Kristian Charbonier, CSA for The Telsey Office. Casting Director for the Alliance Theatre is Jody Feldman. Grammy Award® and Emmy Award® winner David Lai is the Music Coordinator.

The production will feature scenic design by four-time Tony Award nominee David Korins, costume design by Tony Award winner Dede Ayite, lighting design by five-time Tony Award nominee Ben Stanton, and sound design by Tony Award Winner Peter Hylenski. Victoria Navarro will serve as the Production Stage Manager.

Performances of BASURA will begin on Saturday, May 30, 2026 at Alliance Theatre’s Coca-Cola Stage (1280 Peachtree Street NE) in Atlanta, GA. Tickets are now on sale for the World-Premiere production, which is set to play through July 12, 2026. Opening night is scheduled for Friday, June 12, 2026.

Eleven-time Grammy Award® winner Gloria Estefan — whose music has sold over 100 million records worldwide — has shaped generations through song.  Now, she joins her daughter and acclaimed singer-songwriter, Grammy Award® nominee Emily Estefan, to co-write the music and lyrics for BASURA, a powerful and bold new musical inspired by the true story of Paraguay’s Recycled Orchestra, where young artists turn scrap material into instruments and music into possibilities.  This world premiere musical continues Estefan’s global legacy — proving that music can rise from anywhere and change everything.

What do you do when the world gives you nothing?  You build something beautiful.  In a community against all odds, an inspired music teacher starts an orchestra for the students, but they have no instruments.  Empty paint cans, a fork, and a bent license plate become a violin, an oil drum transforms into a colorful cello, and the newly formed orchestra hits every note to the beat of something bigger.  When the students’ instruments become symbols of possibility, the sound is heard around the world.

Based on the award-winning documentary film Landfill Harmonic, the new musical carries the sound of Paraguay’s Recycled Orchestra farther than anyone could have ever imagined.  BASURA is an unforgettable journey of rhythm, resilience, and extraordinary music — a radiant, heart-swelling reminder that even in the most unlikely places, you can build something beautiful. Show the world what you’re made of.

Produced in partnership with Michael Shulman (Sand and Snow Entertainment) and Colin Callender & Daniel Unitas (Playground).  Wendy Orshan and Jeffrey Wilson of 101 Productions, Ltd will serve as Executive Producers and General Managers.

BASURA was developed, in part, with support from The Orchard Project, Ari Edelson, Artistic Director.

Alliance Theatre’s production of BASURA is presented by Invesco QQQ and sponsored by Graphic Packaging and King & Spalding. The Alliance series on The Coca-Cola Stage is sponsored by The Coca-Cola Company.

Performances of BASURA run on The Coca-Cola Stage May 30 through July 12, 2025 – learn more.

Full Creative Team Announced for the World Premiere of Basura

The Inspiring True Story of Finding Music in Unlikely Places

MAY 30 – JULY 12, 2025 ON THE COCA-COLA STAGE

MUSIC & LYRICS BY GLORIA ESTEFAN and EMILY ESTEFAN
BOOK BY KAREN ZACARÍAS
DIRECTED BY MICHAEL GREIF

CHOREOGRAPHY BY PATRICIA DELGADO
MUSIC SUPERVISION, ORCHESTRATIONS and ARRANGEMENTS BY ALEX LACAMOIRE
DRAMATURGY BY KEN CERNIGLIA

FEATURING
SCENIC DESIGN BY DAVID KORINS
COSTUME DESIGN BY DEDE AYITE
LIGHTING DESIGN BY BEN STANTON
SOUND DESIGN BY PETER HYLENSKI

Producers Michael Shulman, Colin Callender, and Daniel Unitas announced today the creative team for the world premiere production of Basura, a new musical with music and lyrics by Gloria Estefan and Emily Estefan, premiering at the Alliance Theatre in Summer 2026. The production will feature scenic design by four-time Tony Award nominee David Korins, costume design by Tony Award winner Dede Ayite, lighting design by five-time Tony Award nominee Ben Stanton, and sound design by Tony Award Winner Peter Hylenski. Victoria Navarro will serve as the Production Stage Manager.

“From the very beginning we set out to surround this uplifting musical with the most passionate and talented creatives in our industry. We are thrilled that these award-winning designers will be working with us to bring this story and the authentic world of BASURA to life on stage. Their collective artistry will perfectly capture the ingenuity and heart that define the Recycled Orchestra of Cateura.”

– Producers Michael Shulman, Colin Callender, and Daniel Unitas

 As previously announced, Basura will be directed by the Broadway stage visionary and five-time Tony Award nominee Michael Greif (Rent, Dear Evan Hansen), written by National Latino Playwriting Award-winner Karen Zacarías (Native Gardens, Destiny of Desire). Grammy Award® and Tony Award® winner Alex Lacamoire (Hamilton, In the Heights) is the musical supervisor, orchestrator, and arranger. Tony Award® winner Patricia Delgado (Buena Vista Social Club) will choreograph, Ken Cerniglia (Hadestown, Newsies) serves as dramaturg, Cynthia Meng (Dead Outlaw) will serve as Music Director, Andy Señor Jr. will serve as Associate Director and Casting is by Kristian Charbonier, CSA for The Telsey Office. Casting Director for Alliance Theatre is Jody Feldman.

Performances of Basura will begin on Friday, May 30, 2026 at the Alliance Theatre’s Coca-Cola Stage (1280 Peachtree Street NE) in Atlanta, GA. Tickets are now on sale for the World-Premiere production, which is set to play through July 12, 2026. A private developmental reading of the musical will be held in New York in December 2025.

Ten-time Grammy Award® winner Gloria Estefan — whose music has sold over 100 million records worldwide — has shaped generations through song.  Now, she joins her daughter and acclaimed singer-songwriter, Grammy Award® nominee Emily Estefan, to co-write the music and lyrics for Basura, a powerful and bold new musical inspired by the true story of Paraguay’s Recycled Orchestra, where young artists turn scrap material into instruments and music into possibilities.  This world premiere musical continues Estefan’s global legacy — proving that music can rise from anywhere and change everything.

What do you do when the world gives you nothing?  You build something beautiful.  In a community against all odds, an inspired music teacher starts an orchestra for the students, but they have no instruments.  Empty paint cans, a fork, and a bent license plate become a violin, an oil drum transforms into a colorful cello, and the newly formed orchestra hits every note to the beat of something bigger.  When the students’ instruments become symbols of possibility, the sound is heard around the world.

Based on the award-winning documentary film “Landfill Harmonic,” the new musical carries the sound of Paraguay’s Recycled Orchestra farther than anyone could have ever imagined.  Basura is an unforgettable journey of rhythm, resilience, and extraordinary music — a radiant, heart-swelling reminder that even in the most unlikely places, you can build something beautiful.

“This is a story that has been close to my heart for several years since I first encountered the determination and ingenuity of the young people of Paraguay’s Recycled Orchestra.  Emily and I are thrilled for our music to be a part of telling their story in this original musical.  We could not be more excited for BASURA to begin its theatrical life in a city as influential and diverse as Atlanta with a theater as consequential as the Alliance.”

– Gloria Estefan

Produced in partnership with Michael Shulman (Sand and Snow Entertainment) and Colin Callender & Daniel Unitas (Playground).  Wendy Orshan and Jeffrey Wilson of 101 Productions, Ltd will serve as Executive Producers and General Managers.

Basura was developed, in part, with support from The Orchard Project, Ari Edelson, Artistic Director.

For more information, please visit BasuraMusical.com

Performances of BASURA run on The Coca-Cola Stage May 30 through July 12, 2025 – learn more.