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.
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 HOPE — a radiant, heart-swelling reminder that even in the most unlikely places, you can build something beautiful.
BASURA is directed by the Broadway stage visionary 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) is the choreographer and KEN CERNIGLIA (Hadestown, Newsies) is the dramaturg.
SHOW THE WORLD WHAT YOU’RE MADE OF.
Best enjoyed by audiences 8 and up.
Cast & Creative Quotes Events Media Venue
Coca-Cola Stage
The inspiring true story of finding music in unlikely places.
MAY 30 – JUL 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.
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 HOPE — a radiant, heart-swelling reminder that even in the most unlikely places, you can build something beautiful.
BASURA is directed by the Broadway stage visionary 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) is the choreographer and KEN CERNIGLIA (Hadestown, Newsies) is the dramaturg.
SHOW THE WORLD WHAT YOU’RE MADE OF.
Best enjoyed by audiences 8 and up.
Cast & Creative Quotes Events Media Venue
“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, Kevin Del Aguila, 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.”
“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.”
Join us for an exclusive preview event for world premiere musical BASURA, featuring songs from the upcoming production, as well as a panel interview with composers Gloria and Emily Estefan, playwright Karen Zacarías, and director Michael Greif. This event is free, but space is limited—reservations are required.
JUN 4 – JUL 16
Join Alliance Theatre community partner, Scraplanta, for a special collaboration in connection to BASURA. For the run of the production, audience members can bring their BASURA program to a Scraplanta workshop at any location and recycle the program into a work of art.
Join us for a post-show discussion with the cast of BASURA. Afterwords discussions are free for ticket holders. No RSVP required.
Join us for a post-show discussion with the cast of BASURA. Afterwords discussions are free for ticket holders. No RSVP required.
Join us for a post-show discussion with the cast of BASURA. Afterwords discussions are free for ticket holders. No RSVP required.
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