La Potencia

by Mel Nieves

An aging super light-weight club fighter, Roberta “La Potencia” Montoya after a devastating knock-out at the hands of a faster and much younger, Terri “Sweet & Sour” Jones must come to terms with the realization that she has come to the end of the road of the only kind of life skill she’s ever known, but her long-time manager, Joe Pacheco might have other plans for her future; to squeeze out one more fight for...

An aging super light-weight club fighter, Roberta “La Potencia” Montoya after a devastating knock-out at the hands of a faster and much younger, Terri “Sweet & Sour” Jones must come to terms with the realization that she has come to the end of the road of the only kind of life skill she’s ever known, but her long-time manager, Joe Pacheco might have other plans for her future; to squeeze out one more fight for one last big payday to pay off a life threatening debt.

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La Potencia

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  • Premiere Stages at Kean University: La Potencia by Mel Nieves
    “

    Premiere Stages, the professional Equity theatre in residence at Kean University, is pleased to recognize “La Potencia” by Mel Nieves as a Semi-Finalist for the 2023 Premiere Play Festival. “La Potencia” rose through a competitive selection process conducted by Premiere staff and a panel of outside theatre professionals to become one of 40 Semi-Finalists out of 701 submissions. The panel was particularly impressed by the relationships in the piece, as well as the themes of abandonment, sexuality, friendship, and sportsmanship. Our congratulations and thanks to Mel.

    Premiere Stages, the professional Equity theatre in residence at Kean University, is pleased to recognize “La Potencia” by Mel Nieves as a Semi-Finalist for the 2023 Premiere Play Festival. “La Potencia” rose through a competitive selection process conducted by Premiere staff and a panel of outside theatre professionals to become one of 40 Semi-Finalists out of 701 submissions. The panel was particularly impressed by the relationships in the piece, as well as the themes of abandonment, sexuality, friendship, and sportsmanship. Our congratulations and thanks to Mel.

    ”
CHARACTERS
Joe Pacheco, 50’s, Roberta’s Longtime boxing manager
Luis Torres, 60’s, Roberta’s Longtime trainer and cornerman
Suzanne Montanez, 30’s, job center administrative assistant
Antonia “El Martillo” DeJesus, 40’s, former boxer, current leg-breaker.
Roberta “La Potencia” Montoya, 35 - aging club fighter, one time promising contender
Katrina Montoya, 60’s, Roberta’s mother
Arthur Saltzman, 60’s, ring doctor
Terri “Sweet & Sour” Jones, 20’s, young up and coming boxer, a contender
Bobbi “Azucar” Negron, 40’s, former boxer, Roberta’s some time sparring partner
Mateo “The Blade” Rosario, 60’s, former boxer, current Bodega owner, family man
Christina Gomez, 40’s, former professional boxer who has fallen on hard times and is living in a assisted living facility
*Referee, 50’s
*Claressa “Da Tigress” Serrano, 20’s, young up and coming boxer, a contender
Boxing commentator (voice only)
*Appears in boxing footage only/Or live presentation

Development History

  • Reading, LAByrinth Theater Company Barn Series Festival , 2024
  • Reading, LAByrinth Theater Company Summer Intensive, 2023
  • Reading, Actors Studio, inc. - Playwright/Director Unit, 2023
  • Workshop, LAByrinth Theater Company Summer Intensive, 2022

Awards