Arena: A House MUSIC-al
Abel Alvarado presents three scenes from the musical about a gay man growing up in a devout Apostolic family in 1990s Los Angeles
Scene from Arena: A House MUSIC-al, 2019. Courtesy of Teatro Nuevos Horizontes/New Horizons Theatre Company (TNH Productions)
Arena: A House MUSIC-al is a coming-of-age story conceived and written by Abel Alvarado, directed by Rigo Tejeda, and produced by Teatro Nuevos Horizontes (TNH) Productions, CASA 0101 Theater, El Centro Del Pueblo, and Councilmember Gil Cedillo. Set during the ‘90s Los Angeles club and party scene, the musical is named after the legendary Arena Night Club, which closed in 2015, and features the House music of the era. The story follows a group of friends during a turbulent decade when HIV/AIDS disproportionately affected LGBTQ+ BIPOC.
The lead character is Lucio Torrez, who has a dynamic voice and is the music minister in an Apostolic church, where his parents are pastors. When they learn of his closeted relationship with the church guitar player, Lucio’s father gives him an ultimatum: attend EXIT, a Christian gay-conversion group, if Lucio wants to continue to be a part of the music ministry and have a place with his family and church. Lucio’s journey is a story about staying true to who you are and finding your chosen familia. Inspired by Alvarado’s own experience as a gay man growing up in a devout family, the musical “is an homage to our past and an ofrenda, an offering, to the future.”
In Open Plaza’s first-ever playscript feature, Alvarado presents three scenes from Arena: A House MUSIC-al.
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Teatro Nuevos Horizontes (TNH) Productions, CASA 0101 Theater, El Centro Del Pueblo, and Councilmember Gil Cedillo present summer performances of Arena: A House MUSIC-al in Los Angeles, California. The show is made possible in part by a grant from the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs.
DATES: June 17th - July 17th, 2022
TIMES: Fridays & Saturdays at 8PM, Sundays at 4PM
LOCATION: CASA 0101 Theater | 2102 East 1st Street | Los Angeles, CA 90033 -
QUEER AND APOSTOLIC: Executive producer Felipe Agredano talks to script writer Abel Alvarado about his play “Arena: A House MUSIC-al” and their experiences of growing up gay in devout Christian families.
PLAYSCRIPT
ARENA: A HOUSE MUSIC-AL
(Workshop Production)
Book by Abel Alvarado
Lyrics by Gabrielle Maldonado
Music by Ben Larson
With additional songs by
Daniel Sugimoto and Caronline Benzon
Image: Scene from Arena, 2019. Courtesy TNH Productions
Lucio attends EXIT, a Christian gay-conversion group.
Lucio’s mother Orfa voices her unconditional love.
The Torrez Family argues over Lucio’s life choices.
CAST
[characters in boldface appear in excerpt]
Lucio Torrez: Male, Latino, Gay, 20's, Lead character
Martin Mendez: Male, Samoan, Gay, House of Mirage mother, Arena Hostess
Jerry Rodriguez: Latino, Male, Gay, father of the House of Mirage [HOM], and Martin's best friend
Orfa Torrez: Female, Latina, 40's, Pastor's wife, Lucio's mother
Adan Torrez: Male, Latino, 40's, Pastor, Lucio's father
Angelica Torrez: Female, Latina, teens, Lucio’s sister
Gene La Pietra: Male, Gay, 50's, founder and owner of Arena Nightclub and Circus Disco
Eric Stellar: Male, White, closeted gay, 30's/40's, Founder and Program Manager of gay-conversion group EXIT
Suzen Rivera: Female, 20's, best friend and Fairy Queen, HOM member
Donna Sanchez: Female, 20's, straight ally, Club Kid, HOM member
Gilbert: Male/Non-binary, 20's, Deacon's son, Angelicas's best friend, openly gay Apostolic, Lucio's frenemy
Marcos Reyes: Male, 30's, straight, bouncer at Arena
Vanessa: Trans, 20's, Black woman, VIP hostess/performer at Arena, Trans Community advocate.
Octavio Vazquez: Male, Latino, Gay, 20's, sex go-go boy, HOM member
DJ Irene: Female, 20's/30's, Lesbian, Arena resident DJ
Nick Lopez: Male, Latino, Gay, 20's, HOM member
Johnny Lozano: Latino, Male, Gay, Jerry's boyfriend, living with AIDS, HOM member
Michael: Male, 20's, EXIT member, secretly in love with Erik
Ensemble: Singers and dancers, Latinx and all ethnicities
TIME
1970's/80's/90's/2000's
PLACE
Los Angeles, California
Lucio Torrez attends EXIT, a Christian gay-conversion group.
ACT I, Scene 3
SCENE THREE
ERIK pops his head out. LUCIO quickly wipes tears away. JERRY and SUZEN walk by with a knowing look.
ERIK
Lucio? You coming in?
LUCIO
Yes, Brother Erik.
(to himself)
Here goes nothing.
(LUCIO walks into EXIT group. GROUP MEMBERS are greeting each other and settling in.)
ERIK
Settle down, everyone, and welcome to Friday Night group!
(holds up pitchpipe)
Let's begin with our affirmation–whose turn is it to blow?
JERRY
I love to blow!
(Some MEMBERS gasp, OTHERS laugh.)
ERIK
(gritting teeth)
Shut up, Jerry!
(ERIK is annoyed and sounds the pitch pipe. 3.”Come Find Your Exit”)
ALL
WE EXIST IN TRUTH, POWER TO PROCLAIM,
WE ARE HERE TO SAY, PRAY AWAY THE GAY, GAY , GAY , GAY
WE COME TO EXIT TO EXIST IN TRUTH,
HEARTS ANEW, ONLY TRUST IN YOU
WE WILL HATE THE SIN BUT LOVE THE SINNER
ANYWAY, COME FIND YOUR EXIT TODAY!
ERIK
Do we have any raving praise reports? Ah, yes, Blaine!
BLAINE
THE OTHER DAY I WAS WALKING THROUGH GRIFFITH PARK,
I SAW SOME DEVIANCE IN THE DARK,
AROUSED AND SO EXCITED, I TURNED THE OTHER WAY,
GOD, GIVE ME STRENGTH, PLEASE MAKE ME STRAIGHT
ERIK
How sweet the sound! Who's next? Kyle!
KYLE
THE OTHER DAY MY TRAINER ASKED ME OUT ON A DATE.
I SAID, “HOLD ON A MINUTE, FELLA”
“NO, I’M NOT GAY”
WE THRUSTED THROUGH THE SQUATS, AND HE POUNDED ON THE WEIGHT,
GOD, GIVE ME STRENGTH, PLEASE MAKE ME GAY
I mean, straight! OOOPPSS!!
ERIK
(flustered)
God works in mysterious ways.
I AM STRAIGHT, I AM STRAIGHT
I AM OH SO STRAIGHT
GROUP 1
GLORY!
GROUP 2
HALLELUYAH!
ERIK
PRAY THE GAY AWAY,
I AM STRAIGHT, OH SO STRAIGHT, THERE IS NO DEBATE
COME FIND YOUR EXIT TODAY.
COME COME COME COME COME COME COME COME COME
COME FIND YOUR EXIT TODAY
Oh, my lanta, I feel the spirit now! Mr. John, take the wheel!
JOHN
I USED TO BE A DRAG QUEEN, MY NAME WAS MS. JOHN-TAY
THEN I CAME TO EXIT TO SASHAY THE GAY AWAY
MET MY LOVELY ANNA, SHE’S NOT BI AND I’M NOT GAY
JOHN AND ANA
GOD GAVE US STRENGTH, HE MADE US STRAIGHT.
MICHAEL
What a FAB-ulous testi-
ERIK
Michael! We don’t use the F word around here! Anna, you were about to say?
ANNA
I USED TO LIKE BURGERS AND BEERS EVERY DAY
BUT NOW IT’S PINK FLOWERS AND SPARKLING ROSÉ
NO MORE OVERALLS AND BIRKENSTOCKS
ALL
NO WAY!
ALL WOMEN
GOD GAVE HER STRENGTH
HE MADE HER STRAIGHT.
ERIK
YOU ARE STRAIGHT
YOU ARE STRAIGHT
YOU ARE ALL SO STRAIGHT
STRAIGHTER THAN AN ARROW
UNLEASHED FROM IT'S BOW
YOU ARE STRAIGHT
YOU ARE STRAIGHT
THERE IS NO DEBATE
NO ONE NEEDS TO PONDER
JUST LOOK AND THEY'LL KNOW
YOU ARE STRAIGHT
YOU ARE STRAIGHT
THERE IS NO DEBATE
ALL
STRAIGHT
STRAIGHT
STRAIGHT, STRAIGHT
STRAIGHT, STRAIGHT
STRAIGHT, STRAIGHT
STRAIGHT
STRAIGHT
STRAIGHT, STRAIGHT
STRAIGHT, STRAIGHT
STRAIGHT, STRAIGHT
STRAIGHT
STRAIGHT
THERE IS NO DEBATE
ALL
COME FIND YOUR EXIT TODAY!
ERIK
How about Lucio–you go!
LUCIO
IF YOU HAD ASKED ME A YEAR AGO
I WOULD HAVE TOLD YOU, “I'M NO--
JERRY
Homo?
LUCIO
BUT AFTER COMING HERE FOR WEEKS
I JUST DON'T KNOW IF I STILL LOVE…
MICHAEL
Is he hot like you?
ERIK
Michael!
MICHAEL
Ooops, sorry!
ALL
JUST LET HIM GO
ERIK
Whoopsie, Daisy! Take ten, everybody. Lucio, can I talk to you? Take this advice and run with it.
YOU SHOULD NEVER LET THE WORLD KNOW WHO YOU REALLY ARE.
LUCIO
So should I lie?
ERIK
But of course...not!
WE’RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER,
AND BY TOGETHER I MEAN ALONE.
BUT TOGETHER ALONE IS THE ONLY WAY TO GROW.
LUCIO
(confused)
What?! That makes no sense!
(ERIK leaves to talk to other group members; LUCIO stands alone. JERRY and SUZEN have been listening and walk up to Lucio.)
JERRY
This makes two of us, ya know?
LUCIO
Oh, I'm not–
JERRY
Two Latino's Mary!
LUCIO
My name's Lu–
JERRY
I'm Jerry. This is my best friend Suzen.
SUZEN
Au-Shantay!
JERRY
Look, don't listen to those closet queens!
LUCIO
Huh?
JERRY
I CAME OUT AT FIFTEEN
MY PRIEST SAID THIS WOULD FIX ME,
I QUICKLY REALIZED
THEY'RE ALL JUST QUEENS IN DISGUISE.
‘CAUSE I’VE SEEN,
SUZEN
ENOUGH RUNAWAYS
JERRY
AND I’VE SEEN,
SUZEN
ENOUGH PAIN,
JERRY
YOU'RE NAIVE,
SUZEN
BUT TRUST AND BELIEVE
JERRY AND SUZEN
WHEN YOUR HEART SAYS, “FOLLOW ME.”
(ERIK returns and separates LUCIO from SUZEN and JERRY.)
ERIK
WE ARE STRAIGHT
WE ARE STRAIGHT
WE ARE OH SO STRAIGHT.
MICHAEL
(affectionately looks at Jerry)
STRAIGHTER THAN A BASEBALL BAT
TOUCHING A BALL, CARESSING A BALL,
HITTING A BALL
ERIK
Michael!
MICHAEL
(shyly, embarrassed)
Sorry, folks! I just get muy excited! Hit it, boys!
ERIK
WE ARE STRAIGHT
WE ARE STRAIGHT
THERE IS NO DEBATE
COME FIND YOUR EXIT TODAY
COME, COME, COME,
COME, COME,COME
COME, COME, COME
EXIT
STRAIGHT
STRAIGHT
THERE IS NO DEBATE
COME FIND YOUR EXIT TODAY
COME
COME
COME, COME
ERIK
COME FIND YOUR EXIT TODAY!
All together now!
ALL
COME FIND YOUR EXIT TODAY!
(ERIK is ecstatic. GROUP is applauding and riled up, except LUCIO. JERRY and SUZEN mockingly clap.)
ERIK
What an amazing way to end group! Now settle down, you silly gooses! Remember, stay away from Griffith Park, AKA The Meat Market! See you all next week, same STRAIGHT time, same STRAIGHT place! Glory to God for EXIT!
ALL
Glory!
JERRY
HOLE…
SUZEN AND MICHAEL
…‘Lelujah!
(JERRY and SUZEN laugh and high-five. Some GROUP MEMBERS laugh; some are stunned; Erik is annoyed.)
ERIK
(annoyed)
Shut up, Jerry!
(As MEMBERS leave group, SUZEN and JERRY approach Lucio.)
SUZEN
Oooh, this one is really green, isn't she?!
LUCIO
(annoyed)
I'm here to find my EXIT.
ERIK
(interrupting)
Jerry, I hope you’re being a good influ–
JERRY
Always a good at it, Maaarrry!
ERIK
I told you not to call people that here! It's so NELLY!
SUZEN
(mocking)
Like you?
ERIK
(hating Suzen)
What's she doing here?
(SUZEN hisses and claws towards Erik.)
JERRY
Someone obviously had fun last night!
(grabs Eric's wrist)
AHA! Club Tempo!
ERIK
(stuttering)
I-I-I-I accidentally marked myself with a Sharpie at work.
SUZEN
While doing your eyebrows?
ERIK
(angrily, frustrated)
You two are awful! Jerry, why, after twelve years with no progress, do you still come here? Is it just to torture me?!
JERRY
(mockingly)
I’m here to "Exist In Truth"!
ERIK
Get thee behind me, Satan!
(ERIK walks away, fuming. JERRY and SUZEN mock him and laugh.)
JERRY
Lucio, we'll be in the parking lot.
SUZEN
Sssssmoking ccccigarettes.
(JERRY and SUZEN laugh and exit. Erik approaches Lucio.)
ERIK
Stay away from those two, Lucio. And that boy you were talking to before group–
LUCIO
That's so over!
ERIK
Good. Because I see everything!
LUCIO
(annoyed)
I gotta go.
Lucio’s mother Orfa Torrez voices her unconditional love.
ACT I, Scene 10
Scene Ten
ORFA on phone in kitchen.
ORFA
Hello, Detective Ramos, this is Orfa Torrez...you found information on my husband's brother? (beat)In 1991–(Gasps)unresolved murdered?! Dios mío, they killed him for being gay? This is quite shocking! Thank you for the information. Adios.
(ORFA stands, stunned and shaken. LUCIO and ADAN walk in, talking.)
ADAN
Here's what I need you to pick up. Nos vemos en la iglesia para que me ayudes.
LUCIO
I'm busy today! Can't the Assistant Pastor help you?
ADAN
Brother Cervantes is busy with his daughter Lydia and soon-to-be son-in-law Ricky.
(LUCIO reacts with pain in his face; ORFA immediately intervenes.)
ORFA
Mi’jo, you know que en esta familia, the House of God always comes first.
ADAN
Exactly! I wish it was your wedding we were planning. I want grandkids!
(ANGELICA comes in with hair-dye product in hair.)
ANGELICA
(sarcastically, amused)
Lucio married? It ain't legal!
ADAN
¿De qué hablas tú, mi niña?
ORFA
(intervening)
Lucio, go to Home Depot. mi amor, go to the church, and one day we'll have our grandkids!
(ADAN and ANGELICA exit.)
ADAN
(happily)
Dios mio, ¡mándale una mujer a mi hijo! ¡Quiero nietos!
(LUCO and ORFA have an awkward silence.)
ORFA
Mi’jo, your kids will carry our family name, your dad will pass his ministry and church on to you. These things are important.
LUCIO
What about what I want? And we’re lying to Apá, and this EXIT group just isn't working!
ORFA
Everything is going to be fine. Just keep going to your group, keep trusting–
LUCIO
I want to believe you, Amá. But I'm just not sure.
(LUCIO EXITS. 14. “Love Unconditional”)
ORFA
Now abides faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is...love.
DOUBT IN MY BOY’S EYES
WATCHING AS HE TRIES
TO FIND THE MAN INSIDE
HE’S QUESTIONING HIS LIFE
HE'S QUESTIONING MY LOVE
WITH NO HAPPINESS INSIDE.
CAN I HELP HIM SEE HE CAN
GROW INTO AN HONEST MAN
IF HIS TRUTH IS WHAT I’M TELLING HIM TO HIDE
LOVE UNCONDITIONAL
IS HOW IT’S MEANT TO BE
TO FACE THE UNDENIABLE
HIS TRUTH WILL SET HIM FREE
GIVEN WITHOUT EXPECTATIONS
TEACHING ME THINGS I’VE NEVER KNOWN
IF I GIVE FAITH, IF I GIVE HOPE
WILL IT ALL COME UP EMPTY
WITHOUT LOVE
(ORFA is taken over by desperation, imagining her children in trouble.)
ORFA (CONT'D)
Ay, Dios mío, if anything were to happen to Lucio or Angelica! To my children…
(LUCIO walks into kitchen, grabs his satchel; Angelica walks in to get water.)
ORFA (CONT'D)
Lucio, Angelica, vengan. You are my children, nothing can ever change that!
I WILL DO WHAT I HAVE TO
AND ALWAYS PROTECT YOU.
YO SOY UNA LEONA,
¡MIS HIJOS NO ME LOS TOQUEN!
PEOPLE’S JUDGMENT CAN’T ERASE
OR WIPE A MOTHER’S LOVE AWAY
I WANT YOU TO KNOW
I NEED YOU TO KNOW,
NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS
I'LL NEVER LET GO
FAMILIA IS HOW WE’LL STAY
LOVE UNCONDITIONAL
YOU WILL ALWAYS HAVE FROM ME
TO FACE WHAT I DON’T UNDERSTAND
YOUR TRUTH I FINALLY SEE
GIVEN WITHOUT EXPECTATIONS
TEACHING ME THINGS I’VE NEVER KNOWN
IT'S LOVE UNCONDITIONAL.
(ALL THREE hug, and ORFA brings them in tighter. Lights fade to black.)
The Torrez Family argues over Lucio’s life choices.
ACT II, Scene 9
Scene Nine
3 AM. Torrez family kitchen. ORFA, ANGELICA, and LUCIO are eating, laughing, and talking.
ANGELICA
Mom, sorry I snuck out to Arena, pero la pura neta–
ORFA
No soy tu amiga–don't talk to me like that!
LUCIO
(laughing, jokingly)
Malcriada! Pégale, Ma! Hit her!
ANGELICA
(eyeing Lucio)
I was avoiding having to go against your word! ¡Más o menos!
ORFA
Ay sí, muy thinking of me! ¡No puedo con ustedes dos! Pero con estos tacos del mentado "Gay Burrito"!
(THEY all laugh; just then, ADAN walks in.)
Adan, mi amor.
(LUCIO approaches Adan.)
LUCIO
Apá, let's talk about this. There's nothing to hide anymore.
ADAN
(calmly)
You continue parading yourself en frente de todo el mundo.
ANGELICA
Ay, Apá, ya va a empezar--
ADAN
Y tú te me callas.
ORFA
Save that for later. Right now, this familia–
ADAN
Familia? We're being torn apart by lies and the choices my only son–
LUCIO
Dad, it's not a choice, this is who I am. I'm still your son. The one you love going to Dodgers games with. The one you taught to change a spark plug, change the oil, how to make the perfect carne asada.
(ADAN turns away from Lucio. 8. “Running Towards Me.”)
ADAN
¡Pero yo no te enseñé ésto!
YOU ARE RUNNING AWAY FROM GOD
AND DIDN’T I TEACH YOU RIGHT FROM WRONG?
YOU MEMORIZED THE BIBLE DAY BY DAY
WHAT HAPPENED TO MY SON I TAUGHT TO OBEY?
YOU ARE RUNNING AWAY FROM EVERYTHING
YOU’RE RUNNING FROM HIM
ORFA
You are father and son!
ADAN
¡Por el amor de Dios, mujer! Stop enabling their lies!
ANGELICA
You lied, too. You never told us you had a gay brother!
ADAN
I don't! He abandoned us years ago, choosing his lifestyle over us!
ORFA
I hired a private investigator–
(ADAN stands in shock and disbelief.)
ADAN
You went behind my back and did that?!
ORFA
We've never had secrets between us! Ahora los secretos are breaking this familia!
(to Lucio)
YOU ARE RUNNING AWAY FROM US
(to Adan)
AND WHY ARE YOU FORCING HIM TO CHOOSE?
(to Lucio)
REMEMBER YOUR HERMANA LOOKS UP TO YOU
IF YOU ARE LED ASTRAY, I’LL LOSE HER, TOO
(to Adan)
YOU ARE CHASING AWAY MY EVERYTHING
(to Lucio)
AND YOU’RE RUNNING FROM US
(Time stands still…Lucio retreats to his own mind. Perhaps the FAMILY/CAST sings “oos” quietly in the background.)
LUCIO
WHAT DO YOU DO
WHEN THE PEOPLE WHO TAUGHT YOU TO LOVE
CAN’T LOVE THE REAL YOU?
WHAT DO YOU DO
WHEN YOU’RE TIRED OF LIVING A LIE
BUT THEY WANT YOU TO SAY IT’S TRUE?
WHAT DO YOU DO?
YOU RUN
YOU RUN
LUCIO & ANGELICA
YOU RUN
YOU RUN
YOU RUN
YOU RUN
YOU RUN
YOU RUN
YOU RUN
YOU RUN
ORFA
DON’T RUN
DON’T RUN
DON’T RUN
DON’T RUN
ADAN (SIMULTANEOUS)
WHY DO I EVEN BOTHER?
WHY CAN’T YOU BE A MAN?
WHY CAN’T YOU DO WHAT’S RIGHT
AND BE THE SON I KNOW YOU CAN?
WAS I AN AWFUL FATHER?
IS IT MY FAULT, SOMEHOW?
WHERE WILL YOU END UP
IF YOU TAKE THIS ROAD AND LEAVE US NOW?
LUCIO
YOU RUN
No more secrets. I'm moving out.
ANGELICA
Do it, Lucio. You've got to live your life.
LUCIO
My room's all yours, Sister.
ANGELICA
A room with my own restroom! Yes!
ORFA
(heartbroken)
Mi’jo. Don't run from your familia.
LUCIO
(pulls out letter)
I've been too afraid to give you this.
(LUCIO places letter on table. ANGELICA gasps; ORFA is confused; ADAN dismisses letter.)
Y Amá
I’M NOT RUNNING AWAY FROM YOU
I’M RUNNING TO FIND OUT WHO I AM
AND I DON’T KNOW WHAT DANGER’S WAITING OUTSIDE
BUT I WON’T LET NOBODY TELL ME TO HIDE AGAIN
I’M NOT RUNNING AWAY
I’M NOT RUNNING AWAY
I’M NOT RUNNING AWAY FROM ANYTHING
I’M RUNNING TOWARD ME
