By Erin Flynn Jay<\/p>\n
For composer and lyricist Alba Mart\u00ednez<\/a>, ‘La Guagua 47’ is more than a new musical. It’s a love letter to Philadelphia, a reflection of her own journey, and a story about belonging.<\/p>\n Philadelphia Theatre Company (PTC)<\/a> will present a concert performance of ‘La Guagua 47: A Philadelphia Musical’ on June 20 at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre, offering audiences an early glimpse of the work before its planned world-premiere production during PTC’s 2027-28 season.<\/p>\n Written by Mart\u00ednez and directed by nationally acclaimed theatermaker Laurie Woolery<\/a>, the 60-minute presentation follows Lucia, a 15-year-old Puerto Rican girl who is forced to leave behind everything she knows and move to Philadelphia. Struggling to find her place in an unfamiliar city, Lucia discovers the SEPTA 47 bus route\u2014which ultimately leads her to a neighborhood, and a community, that feels like home.<\/p>\n \u201cShe had to leave everything she loved and all her dreams behind and she has to figure out where she belongs in this new place that’s so foreign to her,\u201d said Martinez. \u201cAnd that’s my story. Even though I didn’t come here at 15, I have a similar story where I came to Philly at 22 and had to find my place.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n In fact, the title comes from the same bus route Martinez rode in 1985 as she searched for connection and community in her new city. But the story extends far beyond her personal experience.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is a greater symbol of that pivotal moment that changes things for us,\u201d said Martinez. \u201cIn a world where a lot of people are being told they don’t belong, to put a story about a 15-year-old Puerto Rican girl on the stage that says we all belong is, to me, timely and important.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Part of what makes ‘La Guagua 47’ distinctive is its bilingual storytelling. English and Spanish flow naturally throughout the show.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is developed in such a way that no one should ever feel lost,\u201d said Martinez. \u201cWhether it\u2019s the music that you’re feeling or the dialogue in English that you’re hearing, we want everybody to be able to follow this story.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n The musical also blends traditional musical theater storytelling with Latin influences, creating a sound that reflects Philadelphia’s vibrant Latino community. <\/p>\n ‘La Guagua 47’ is a show from Philly, about Philly, says Martinez, adding that it brings people from her community to the stage. The team is interested in using as many local artists as possible and having a good time with the production.\u00a0<\/p>\n Before the full production arrives, audiences will have multiple opportunities to experience the music. Community performances are planned this summer at Esperanza Arts Center Arte En Las Calles Festival on July 25 (an outdoor performance with a 21-person community chorus and an eight-piece band), as well as on Sept. 26, at Taller Puertorrique\u00f1o, featuring a community chorus.<\/p>\n For Mart\u00ednez, the goal is simple \u2014 to create a story rooted in Philadelphia that resonates far beyond the city limits.<\/p>\n \u201cThere aren’t a lot of stories like this out there,” she said. “There is great demand for live performance right now. It’s a critical time for live performance, especially in a world where so much of what we do is digital.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThere are a lot of wonderful people who are going to help shape it into something special.”\u00a0<\/p>\n For more information, visit philadelphiatheatrecompany.org<\/a><\/p>\n