Great Roles for Latine Men

From macho matadors to modern, Latine-influenced takes on Greek myth to troubled, PTSD-ridden soldiers, these roles offer incredible challenges and opportunities for Latine men, allowing them to portray characters with depth and passion. Check out this list of titles that present a varied selection of tones and genres in which Latine male actors can shine.

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Plays

72 Miles To Go… by Hilary Bettis (US/UK)
(Full-Length Play, Drama / 3w, 2m)
72 miles. It’s the distance between Tucson, Arizona and Nogales, Mexico – and the distance between deported immigrant Anita and her American-born husband and children. 72 Miles to Go… follows one family over a decade as they come of age, fall in love, fight in wars and fight for each other – against the backdrop of deportation, DACA and changing immigration laws.

Alicia by Elaine Romero (US)
(Short Play, Comedy / 2w, 2m)
When Alicia is sent to her room for misbehaving, she’s convinced that her parents have no idea who she really is. She confides in her beloved hamster Alfredito, who suddenly escapes through a hole in the wall, and miraculously, Alicia is able to follow him all the way into Wonderlandia. On her journey through this topsy-turvy world she meets all sorts of fantastic characters like the chaotic El Conejo Moreno, and adventure commences in this bilingual adaptation of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.

American Night: The Ballad of Juan José by Richard Montoya (US/UK)
(Full-Length Play, Political Satire / 3w, 6m)
As Juan José feverishly studies for his citizenship exam, his obsession to pass takes him on a fantastical odyssey through U.S. history, guided by a handful of unsung citizens who made courageous choices in some of the country’s toughest times. A provocative, irreverent and hilarious mix of past and present, stereotype and truth with an excellent opportunity for actors either in the leading role of Juan José or in a range of characters for the supporting ensemble.

Anna in the Tropics by Nilo Cruz (US)
(Full-Length Play, Drama / 3w, 5m)
A poignant, poetic and Pulitzer-winning play set in a Cuban-American cigar factory in Florida in 1929, where cigars are still rolled by hand and “lectors” are employed to educate and entertain the workers. The arrival of the new lector, Juan Julian, is a cause for celebration, but when he begins to read aloud from Anna Karenina, he unwittingly becomes a catalyst in the lives of his avid listeners for whom Tolstoy, the tropics and the American dream prove a volatile combination.

Chester, Who Painted the World Purple by Marco Ramirez (US)
(Short Play, Dramatic Comedy / 1w, 2m, 1 any)
Chester sets out to paint the world purple when he realizes it’s the only color his blind grandfather can see in this moving examination of the bonds that form across family generations.

Elliot, a Soldier’s Fugue by Quiara Alegría Hudes (US)
(Full-Length Play, Drama / 1w, 3m)
A barrio man-child with a cheeseburger smile has a ticket to greatness at just 18 years old: a Purple Heart for injuries sustained in Iraq. Despite his status as a hometown hero, his leg wound has reopened and he’s come to a haunting realization: Has he been walking in his Pop’s footsteps his whole life? In this poignant drama, Elliot learns the stories of his father and grandfather who served in Korea and Vietnam before him.

Fade by Tanya Saracho (US/UK)
(Full-Length Play, Dramatic Comedy / 1w, 1m)
When Lucia, a Mexican-born novelist, gets her first TV writing job, she feels a bit out of place on the white, male-dominated set. Lucia quickly befriends the only other Latino around, a janitor named Abel. As Abel shares his stories with Lucia, similar plots begin to find their way into the TV scripts that Lucia writes. A play about class and race within the Latine community and at large and how status does not change who you are at your core.

Freak by John Leguizamo (US/UK)
(Full-Length Play, Comedy / 1 any gender or flexible casting)
Get caught up in this tour-de-force telling of John Leguizamo’s childhood and adolescence. As his family bounces from neighborhood to neighborhood, and his father bounces from dream to scheme to dream, John constantly adapts to meet his surroundings. After learning one final hard lesson from his father, he discovers the key to his success lies in making something out of nothing. Originally all played by just one actor, the varied points of view in this play can now be expanded to be brought to life by any number of performers.

I Wanna Fuck Like Romeo and Juliet by Andrew Rincón (US/UK)
(Full-Length Play, Comedy / 2w, 3m)
Snow in July, comets falling from the sky… The world is thrown into chaos as Cupid (a Latine god) rips off her wings and gives up on love. But her old flame Saint Valentine has a plan to bring her spirits back up, and it involves reigniting the flame between Alejandro and Benny, two queer folk who are going through a breakup. Moving from the heavens to Hackensack, this love story of epic proportions captures the many flavors of queer love.

Latin History for Morons by John Leguizamo (US/UK)
(Full-Length Play, Comedy / 1 any gender or flexible casting)
When John takes a peek at his son’s history textbooks, he is shocked to find… well, nothing, at least when it comes to the impact of Latin culture over thousands of years. Excited to share his heritage with his son, John dives deep, exploring everything from the Mayans to modern-day heroes. To be performed by one person or an ensemble, this zippy, irreverent and laugh-out-loud investigation of the past will make you take a second look at the present.

Machine Learning by Francisco Mendoza (US/UK)
(Full-Length Play, Dramatic Comedy / 1w, 3m, 1 boy)
When his estranged, alcoholic father is diagnosed with liver cancer, computer scientist Jorge dreams up a nursing app to manage the disease in his stead. As the machine’s capabilities grow, however, the possibility of leaving it in charge of the treatment becomes more real, forcing Jorge to reckon with his responsibilities as a son and as a creator. Dealing with issues of immigration, legacy and life dreams, this outstanding new sci-fi explores what it means to be children – and what it means to be parents.

2022 Theatre503 production of Moreno (Tristram Kenton)

Moreno by Pravin Wilkins (US/UK)
(Full-Length Play, Drama / 4m)
August, 2016. The NFL is being shaken by Colin Kaepernick’s monumental decision. While other players join him in taking a knee, star running back Luis Moreno is all about his game – and his paycheck. When a destructive new reality hits close to home, Luis is forced to ask whether politics have a place on the field, and if he is willing to risk his career to take a stand for his own community.

My Mañana Comes by Elizabeth Irwin (US/UK)
(Full-Length Play, Drama / 4m)
Just beyond the elegant dining room of an Upper East Side restaurant, four busboys angle for shifts, pray for tips and cling to dreams of life beyond their dingy back-of-house grind. Expertly juggling delicate entrées, fussy customers and beer-swilling line cooks, the young men face off with management and each other. As tensions reach a boiling point, how far will each of them go to see his own mañana come?

Native Gardens by Karen Zacarías (US/UK)
(Full-Length Play, Comedy / 2w, 2m)
Gardens and cultures clash, turning friendly neighbors into feuding enemies in this hilarious comedy of good intentions and bad manners. Pablo, a high-powered lawyer, and doctoral candidate Tania, his very pregnant wife, are realizing the American dream when they purchase a house next door to community stalwarts Virginia and Frank. But a disagreement over a long-standing fence line soon spirals into an all-out war of taste, class, privilege and entitlement.

Oedipus El Rey by Luis Alfaro (US)
(Full-Length Play, Drama / 1w, 6m)
As he approaches the end of a lengthy prison sentence, Oedipus is ready to taste his long-awaited freedom. But liberation comes at a price, and life on the outside proves its own kind of prison, one ruled by a cruel and violent fate. Based on Sophocles’ classic tale, Oedipus El Rey is an urgent examination of modern institutions, social barriers and the power of storytelling for those bold enough to challenge the gods of our time.

One of the Good Ones by Gloria Calderón Kellett (US/UK)
(Full-Length Play, Dramatic Comedy / 2w, 3m)
This hilarious new comedy from the co-creator of the Emmy-winning sitcom One Day at a Time revels in the explosive reaction a Latina daughter sets off when she brings her very white-looking boyfriend home to meet the parents. When Yoli brings home Marcos, her family’s biases and preconceptions (including those of her proudly successful father Enrique) are put on full display. As tensions run high and hilarity ensues, everyone must navigate the ins and outs of family dynamics and the boundaries of acceptance – all while tackling the age-old question: What does it truly mean to be an American?

Our Town (Bilingual) by Thornton Wilder with translated passages by Michel Hausmann (US)
(Full-Length Play, Drama / 7w, 10m)
Narrated by a stage manager and performed with minimal props and sets, this new version of Our Town depicts the small town of Grover’s Corners, New Hampshire, through three acts: “Daily Life,” “Love and Marriage” and “Death and Eternity.” Thornton Wilder’s iconic, Pulitzer Prize-winning play is reimagined for the 21st century in this new English/Spanish translation where Emily and the Webb family speak Spanish at home, allowing Latine actors to bring the language naturally and vividly to the stage classic.

Santos & Santos by Octavia Solis (US/UK)
(Full-Length Play, Drama / 5w, 8m)
A crime saga about the Santos Family Law Practice in El Paso of the 1980s, loosely based on the Chagra Brothers’ killing of Judge John Wood. Drugs, gambling and trafficking fuel the law office of Santos & Santos, and the brothers are quick to incorporate the younger brother after the death of their father. When one of the brothers is tried for murder, Tomas leads an elaborate plot to assassinate the presiding judge in the trial.

Simona’s Search by Martín Zimmerman (US/UK)
(Full-Length Play, Drama / 1w, 2m)
Simona’s father is an enigma. Curious about his life in Latin America before moving to the United States, Simona obsesses over his secrets as her thoughts and dreams become haunted by the mystery that is his past. A riveting exploration of the bond between fathers and daughters, love and sacrifice, nature and nurture.

So Go the Ghosts of Mexico (Part One) by Matthew Paul Olmos (US/UK)
(Full-Length Play, Drama / 1w, 4m)
The first of a three-play cycle exploring the drug wars between the U.S. and Mexico, this chilling yet darkly humorous drama was inspired by the concept of the “Bravest Woman in Mexico.” When no one else will accept the position, a 22-year-old woman volunteers to replace the local police chief, who was recently beheaded. Her bold decision sets off a chain of reactions in her husband, the Narcos, and perhaps the entire country of Mexico.

The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity by Kristoffer Díaz (US/UK)
(Full-Length Play, Dramatic Comedy / 5m)
Macedonio Guerra is a “jobber,” one who is paid to lose to bigger-name stars in the ring. Soon, he meets Vigneshwar Paduar, a young Indian man from Brooklyn, who he wants to team up with. The wrestling execs go for it, but their marketing pitch for them leads the two to push the personas to the limits and say what needs to be said. Unspoken racism, politics and courage are all woven into this play that leaves it all on the mat.

The River Bride by Marisela Treviño Orta (US/UK)
(Full-Length Play, Drama / 3w, 3m)
Three days before a wedding, a handsome and mysterious man is fished from the Amazon River. Set once upon a time in a small Brazilian fishing village, The River Bride is a tale of true love, regret and two sisters who struggle to be true to each other and their hearts.

Torera by Monet Hurst-Mendoza (US/UK)
(Full-Length Play, Drama / 2w, 2m, 2 any gender)
Bullfighting in Yucatán, Mexico is a world nearly exclusive to men – yet for Elena María Ramírez, it is her life’s ambition. With the help of her best friend Tanok, a matador’s son and gifted rejoneador, Elena begins secretly training to compete with the greatest, and this young woman must choose between accepting society’s limits or breaking boundaries. A powerful play written by a stunning new voice in the American theatre, Torera tells a poignant story about becoming your truest self by proudly stepping into the ring.

Water & Power by Richard Montoya (US)
(Full-Length Play, Drama / 7m)
A hardworking immigrant father wants better for his sons, twins named Water and Power. He wants them to be like Mr. Mullholand – deciding where the water flows in this desert pueblo. Everything the brothers stand for hangs in the balance as they meet in room #13 at the Motel Paradise on the eastern edge of Sunset Boulevard. In this modern noir, what emerges from the long shadows of a rainy night is as mysterious as what will never see the light of day.

Wolf at the Door by Marisela Treviño Orta (US/UK)
(Full-Length Play, Drama / 3w, 1m)
Inspired by Latine folklore and mythology, Wolf at the Door is part of a cycle of fairy tales by Marisela Treviño Orta. In this play, Isadora finds the strength to stand up to her abusive husband Septimo when he forces the very pregnant Yolot to stay against her will. While Septimo makes plans for the baby, Isadora and Yolot devise one of their own to rebel against him. And as a pack of wolves closes in on the hacienda, Isadora must decide what price she’ll pay for her own freedom.

Yemaya’s Belly by Quiara Alegría Hudes (US)
(Full-Length Play, Drama / 2w, 3m)
A Cuban boy is born into a humble farming family, but after his first taste of cold Coca-Cola, he dreams of a world beyond his family’s meager acre and naively yearns to meet the “President of America.” The play follows his epic journey into manhood and materialism, from farm to city to a raft sailing to the New World.

Musicals

Evita by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber (US)
(Full-Length Musical, Drama / 2w, 3m + ensemble)
This epic musical charts the young and ambitious Eva Peron’s meteoric rise to sainthood. Set in Argentina between 1934-1952, the Tony-winning Evita follows Eva Duarte on her journey from poor illegitimate child to ambitious actress to, as wife of military leader-turned-president Juan Peron, the most powerful woman in Latin America. At various times standing with –and opposing – her are the aforementioned Juan, the dashing Agustín Magaldi and a narrator known only as Che, with his own political dreams to fight for.

2008 Broadway production of In The Heights (Joan Marcus)

In the Heights by Lin-Manuel Miranda & Quiara Alegría Hudes (US/UK)
(Full-Length Musical, Comedy / 6w, 6m + ensemble)
In the Heights tells the universal story of a vibrant community in New York’s Washington Heights neighborhood – a place where the coffee from the corner bodega is light and sweet, the windows are always open and the breeze carries the rhythm of three generations of music. It’s a community on the brink of change, full of hopes, dreams and pressures, where the biggest struggles can be deciding which traditions you take with you and which ones you leave behind.

Kiss of the Spider Woman by Terrence McNally, John Kander, Fred Ebb and Manuel Puig (US/UK)
(Full-Length Musical, Drama / 3w, 15m)
This Tony Award-winning musical, adapted from the novel by Manuel Puig, presents a harrowing tale of persecution juxtaposed against a dazzling spectacle of liberating fantasy. Cell mates in a Latin American prison, Valentín and Molina immediately clash. Valentín is a tough revolutionary enduring torture, and Molina is a flamboyant gay man serving eight years for deviant behavior. Over time, the men begin to connect as Molina shares his fantasies about an actress, Aurora, who famously portrayed a glamorous “Spider Woman” who could kill with a kiss.

Somewhere Over the Border by Brian Quijada (US/UK)
(Full-Length Musical, Dramatic Comedy / 3w, 3m)
Inspired by the real-life journey of the author’s mother, Reina Quijada, from El Salvador to the US, and by L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Somewhere Over the Border embraces the factual and the fantastical in its depiction of one young girl’s pursuit of the American dream. As Reina travels north to the Mexican border, she gathers friends and fellow dreamers like Cruz, Silvano and Napoleon. Together, they face down dangers as Reina holds tight to the memory of the little boy she left behind.

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To explore more shows that center Latine voices, check out our article on Great Roles for Latine Women or explore Concord Theatricals in the US or UK.