Gustavo Ott, GALA Hispanic Theatre’s Artistic Director, proudly announces The Golden Season, a celebration of purpose, commitment, resilience, and hope. “While we mark a milestone for GALA, our community faces dark times — immigrants and citizens alike are threatened and often separated from their families and homes. But once again theater and the arts emerge to uplift us with stories that challenge injustice, give voice to our quest for freedom and basic human rights, and offer hope.”
“That very idea led Hugo and Rebecca Medrano to create GALA in 1976 and commit to excellence in our work, relevance to our community, and leadership in the nation’s arts and cultural sector,” continues Ott. “And now 50 years later we affirm that commitment to you — artists, audience, colleagues, compañeros — to keep the show going for 50 more years with stories that speak to the heart, calm the soul, and spark the imagination of our community!”
MAIN STAGE SEASON PRODUCTIONS
EL BESO DE LA MUJER ARAÑA – Kiss of the Spider Woman By Manuel Puig (Argentina) | Directed by José Luis Arellano September 4 – 28, 2025
In Spanish with English surtitles
In an Argentine prison cell, two complete opposites discover that love may spring in the most unlikely of places. Valentin, a political prisoner whose commitment to the Marxist cause takes precedence over all other things, forges an unlikely relationship with queer, movie-loving Molina, who escapes his harsh reality by retelling film noir classics as their glamorous leading ladies. Poignant, chilling, funny and sensual.
LA CASA DE BERNARDA ALBA – The House of Bernarda Alba By Federico García Lorca (Spain)| Directed by José Zayas February 5 – March 1, 2026
In Spanish with English surtitles
In García Lorca’s modern classic, an authoritarian mother exercises her ruthless power over her family, until the desire for freedom challenges and confronts her authority. A revealing look at the hypocrisy and deception that corrupt human relationships.
AGUARDIENTE: Soul of the Caribbean (WORLD PREMIERE COMMISSIONED BY GALA)
Book, Direction, and Choreography by Luis Salgado (Puerto Rico) | April 30 – May 31, 2026
Bilingual with surtitles in English and Spanish
In this exciting new musical two immigrant writers from Colombia and Puerto Rico, who are living in New York City, journey back to their childhoods to reconnect with the rich Caribbean culture. The play draws inspiration from traditional Caribbean rhythms, cumbia, bomba, currulao, and the magical realism of Gabriel García Márquez.
DANCE, FILM & PERFORMANCE
FUEGO FLAMENCO XXI (21st Annual Flamenco Festival) Honorary Producers: Lynne and Joseph Horning November 6 – 22, 2025
Featuring U.S. and international artists in an expanded three-week festival!
SPAIN FLAMENCO ARTS
CRÓNICA DE UN SUCESO (DC PREMIERE)
Created, choreographed & performed by Rafael Ramírez
November 6 – 9, 2025
An homage to the iconic Spanish Flamenco artist Antonio Gades (1936-2004), who paved the way for what Flamenco is today.
FLAMENCO APARICIO DANCE CO.
TITLE TBD (WORLD PREMIERE)
November 14 – 16, 2025
A new Flamenco masterpiece choreographed and directed by Edwin Aparicio and Aleksey Kulikov. Witness a spectacular display of raw passion, movement, fiery zapateo, and rhythm by a troupe of local and international Flamenco dancers.
TBD ARTIST
TBD TITLE
November 21 – 22, 2025
GALA Film Fest: Latin American Innovation (Titles TBA)
December 3 – 7, 2025
All films in Spanish with English subtitles
This year’s festival will feature six contemporary films by emerging directors and a classic from the Mexican Golden Age. Join us for exclusive talkbacks with producers, artists, directors, and experts, and receptions after the screenings.
THE OTHER SIDE STORY (DC PREMIERE)
Created & performed by Ángel Vázquez (Puerto Rico)
December 12 – 14, 2025
A solo show by a long-time GALA partner that spoofs the musical West Side Story.
ME LLAMAN LA LUPE – They Call Me La Lupe (DC PREMIERE)
By Luis Caballero (Puerto Rico)
June 26 – 28, 2026
This musical revue, by GALA friend and collaborator, captures the last moments in the life of La Lupe, a famous Cuban singer of boleros, guarachas and Latin soul, known for her energetic and sometimes controversial performances.
GALita – BILINGUAL PROGRAMS FOR YOUNG AUDIENCES
HÉCTOR, EL NIÑO ELÉCTRICO – Héctor, The Electric Kid (WORLD PREMIERE)
By Cornelia Cody (El Salvador/USA) | Directed by Mauricio Pita
October 18 – November 1, 2025
Hector, a shy 10-year-old boy, meets a wizard in the auto shop where his mother works. After this mysterious encounter, Hector finds he has a special power: Now Hector is electric. Can Hector manage his new power?
FLAMENCO EN FAMILIA
November 15, 2025
Sara Jerez, Richard Marlow, and guest dancers introduce the origins and history of flamenco, including the demonstration of several traditional Spanish dances. Come practice palmas, zapateo, and learn about the use of castanets, fans, and traditional and newer flamenco instruments. FREE for children and the entire family.
LA FIESTA DE LOS REYES MAGOS – Three Kings Day
January 3, 2026
Join GALA for its annual Three Kings Day Celebration! This festive end to the holiday season will feature the timeless story of the Magi, performances by local musicians and dance troupes, a street parade, and a gift for every child. FREE!
RATÓN DE BIBLIOTECA – The Library Mouse
By Jorge Díaz (Chile) | Directed by Elena Velasco
March 14 – 28, 2026
This charming play is about the clash between an intellectual library mouse and a street gang of mice teaches children to respect differences and appreciate books.
PASO NUEVO YOUTH PROGRAM
Under the direction of artist Chris Ríos, GALA’s FREE after-school youth program offers bilingual training in drama, movement, writing, and technical theater to youth ages 14 to 19. Students create new, original works and perform for the public in the Fall, Spring, and Summer. The Summer showcase will be Thursday, July 31, 2025; the Fall/Winter showcase will be Wednesday, December 17, 2025; and the Spring showcase will be Wednesday, May 20, 2026. Paso Nuevo is the winner of the 2012 National Arts and Humanities Youth Arts Program Award.
GENERAL INFORMATION
SCHEDULE: Main stage season productions are Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 pm, and Sundays at 2 pm. For other performance times, visit https://www.galatheatre.org or call (202) 234-7174. All schedules are subject to change.
TICKETS: Single tickets to Kiss of the Spider Woman and The House of Bernarda Alba are $48 for Thursdays and Sundays and $50 for Fridays and Saturdays, while regular tickets to all Flamenco performances are $50; tickets for military, seniors (65+), teachers, and students 25+ are $35; students under 25 are $25; groups of 10+ are $35 each; Community Night tickets are $20 and Noche de GALA tickets (including a post-performance reception with the artists) are $55 each. Regular tickets to Aguardiente are $60 each; military, seniors (65+), teachers, and students 25+ are $40; students under 25 are $30; groups of 10+ are $40 each; Community Night tickets are $25 and Noche de GALA tickets are $65 each. Tickets for the GALita performances are $10 for children and $12 for adults. To purchase tickets, visit www.galatheatre.org or call (202) 234-7174.
LOCATION, PARKING & METRO: GALA Theatre is located at 3333 14th Street NW, Washington, DC. Discounted parking of $4 is available in the secure Giant parking garage directly behind the theater. The entrance is located on Park Road and Holmead Street, NW (you must validate your parking ticket at the theater lobby). GALA is located one block north from the Columbia Heights Metro station (Green/Yellow Lines).
FOR MORE INFORMATION, call (202) 234-7174 or visit www.galatheatre.org.
