Latino Theater Company Presents

EVOLUTION OF A SONERO

Written and Performed by Flaco Navaja
Directed by Miranda González
Libretto Arranged by Carlos Cuevas

The first full-length solo show by acclaimed artist Flaco Navaja. With unabashed love for The Bronx, a gift for crafting memorable characters, and genuine good humor, Navaja and five top-notch musicians —aka The Razor Blades— bring on the charm, the rhythm, and the soul essential to a Bronx Sonero. Paying homage to many great musical icons —from Janis Joplin to Menudo, from The Doors to Héctor Lavoe, from Jimi Hendrix to Rubén Blades— the play is as much about Navaja’s creative evolution as it is about the wild mix that gives life to a rhyme, a people and a culture.

PRODUCTION HISTORY
Evolution of A Sonero was originally developed in 2017 at Pregones/PRTT in NYC as part of their Step Up Artist in Residence program. With direction and dramaturgy by Jorge B. Merced, it had its world premiere run at The Puerto Rican Traveling Theater in Manhattan in 2018. For more information about Pregones/PRTT please visit www.pregonesprtt.org. In 2022, UTC produced its Midwest Premiere in Chicago's Humboldt Park community directed by Miranda González. Visit www.urbantheaterchicago.org for more information.

Flaco Navaja (Performer/Playwright) is a poet, writer, singer, actor, and performer who was born and raised in the Bronx, NY. For 25 years he has established himself as a prominent voice of the Puerto Rican Diaspora and has graced acclaimed theater stages such as The Public Theater and Pregones/PRTT. As a poet/spoken word artist he has performed nationally and internationally and has hosted the legendary open mic showcase; "All That! Hip Hop Poetry & Jazz" at the famous Nuyorican Poets' Cafe. He’s also appeared on four episodes of the HBO series Russell Simmons’ “Def Poetry Jam” and had the honor of being a part of the Tony Award-winning international tour. As a singer his voice can be heard singing the theme song for PBS Kids animated show Alma’s Way; and on the Grammy-nominated soundtrack, In The Heights the movie, along with legend Marc Anthony. Both songs were written by Lin-Manuel Miranda.  He currently performs with his band, The Razor Blades, his own style of Salsa music where he combines spoken word with old school Salsa. He recently released his first single called Cantale a la Vida, which can be heard on Spotify. Navaja is a SAG member and his tv/film credits include; Alma’s Way, Blue Bloods, Gotham, East WillieB, CSI: NY, ROMA: The Silent Film, Love Magical, Gun Hill Road, Fighting. All credits can be viewed on Navaja’s IMBD page.