LaGuardia Alumni Bring Latin Lover to LPAC
Playwright Ed Jr. Cardenas, a LaGuardia alum and Ecuadorian artist, makes his New York stage debut with Latin Lover.
LONG ISLAND CITY, NY (September 23, 2025) — LaGuardia Performing Arts Center (LPAC) at LaGuardia Community College/CUNY, in partnership with Unheard Voices Productions, invites audiences October 9–11 to the Little Theater for Latin Lover—an evocative new work that dances between rhythm, memory, and generational legacy. Created and produced by LaGuardia alumni, Latin Lover reflects LPAC’s dedication to nurturing distinctive theatrical voices emerging from its own community.
The creative team behind Latin Lover is deeply rooted in LaGuardia Community College, with nearly every principal artist an alumnus of LaGuardia’s award-winning Theater program—including playwright Ed Jr. Cardenas, director Randy Arbujo, and producer Una Bharat. Bharat is founder and CEO of Unheard Voices Productions and previously served as line producer for LPAC’s virtual MENA Festival.
“The Little Theater has always felt like home—a sanctuary where we spent late nights rehearsing, studying, and gathering with friends,” Bharat said. “To return now and give something back to the very place that once helped us navigate college is both an honor and a privilege.”
Latin Lover follows Raul y Mirasol as they wrestle with generational burdens and cultural expectations. Set to the pulse of salsa and accompanied by a live bad, the play explores how identity, memory, and resilience intertwine al compás del son—truths emerging in rhythm that neither heart nor faith can deny.
“Salsa played a huge role in my life when I came back to the States—in moments of solitude, of happiness, and in moments like right now, where we Latinos find ourselves facing unfairness. We fight, but also, we dance through it. That right there is why I created Latin Lover,” said Cardenas.
LPAC has supported the play’s development from its early workshop at The Chain Theatre’s One-Act Festival, through a reading at LPAC’s collaborator, The Bechdel Project, and a roundtable at LPAC where invited mentors helped refine the piece. October’s workshop in LPAC’s Little Theater marks the next step in that process, with the creative team expanding the work to include staging and live music. Audiences will be invited to provide feedback to the creative team.
“At LPAC, one of our greatest sources of pride is seeing our former students thrive after their time with us. We stay connected, celebrate their accomplishments, and whenever possible, invite them back to share their artistry with our community,” said Handan Ozbilgin, LPAC’s Artistic Director. “That’s why it is especially meaningful to present the work of playwright Ed Cardenas, whose voice and vision reflect the best of LaGuardia’s creative legacy. Latin Lover is brought to life by a team of fellow alumni, underscoring how deeply LPAC’s stage is rooted in our own community.”
“I especially want to give credit and gratitude to LaGuardia’s Theater faculty, especially Professor Stefanie Sertich,” added Cardenas, who is in the final year of his BFA at Brooklyn College. “She taught me to be consistent in everything that I do.”
Performance Details:
- Thursday, October 9 at 7:30 p.m.
- Friday, October 10 at 7:30 p.m.
- Saturday, October 11 at 3 p.m.
Run-time is 90 minutes without intermission. Latin Lover is recommended for individuals ages 13 and older.
Audience members should enter LaGuardia Community College at 45-50 Van Dam Street, Long Island City, Queens (see Maps and Directions). For further information, please email lpacboxoffice@lagcc.cuny.edu or call (718) 482-5151.
Tickets for Latin Lover:
- General Admission: $10 + $2 convenience fee
- Student Tickets: Free
Reserve here.
- CUNY Students, Faculty, and Staff: Individuals with a valid CUNY ID can claim a free ticket in person at the Box Office on the day of the performance (subject to availability).
- For questions or group reservations, email: lpacboxoffice@lagcc.cuny.edu.
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LaGuardia Performing Arts Center (LPAC), located at LaGuardia Community College/CUNY, is a cultural hub that fosters artistic excellence, education, and community engagement. LPAC is dedicated to providing a platform for dynamic artists and storytellers to create, collaborate, and inspire. Through diverse programming, LPAC continues to support its mission of making the arts accessible to all. It is the stage for productions of the award-winning Theater and Music Performance programs of LaGuardia Community College, as well as works from partner institutions, including Carnegie Hall, Joffrey Ballet School, and the Drama League of New York.
LaGuardia Community College (LAGCC), a Hispanic-Serving Institution, located in Long Island City, Queens offers more than 50 associate degrees and academic certificates, and more than 65 continuing education programs to prepare New Yorkers for transfer to senior colleges and rewarding jobs and careers. An institution of the City University of New York (CUNY), the College reflects the legacy of our namesake, Fiorello H. LaGuardia, the former NYC mayor beloved for his advocacy of the underserved. Since 1971, LaGuardia’s academic programs and support services have advanced the socioeconomic mobility of students from Queens, NYC and beyond.
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