Gloria Estefan talks ‘BASURA’, a new musical inspired by Paraguay’s Recycled Orchestra
Estefan’s daughter, Emily Estefan, co-wrote the music and lyrics. The mother-daughter team sat down alongside book writer Karen Zacarias ahead of the show’s world debut at the Alliance Theatre.
ATLANTA, Ga. (ATL Live) - A new musical with roots in a real-life youth orchestra is headed to Midtown Atlanta. BASURA, inspired by the award-winning documentary Landfill Harmonic, centers on a community that creates instruments from repurposed materials and builds an orchestra against the odds.
The creative team includes Karen Zacarías (book writer), along with Gloria Estefan and Emily Estefan (music and lyrics). They talked with ATL Live host Andrew Tyree about the story’s origins, the sound of the show, and what Atlanta audiences can expect as the production begins its world premiere run.
Behind the scenes, BASURA brings together major theatre and music talent. The production is directed by Michael Greif (Rent, Dear Evan Hansen), with music supervision, orchestrations, and arrangements by Alex Lacamoire (Hamilton, In the Heights). Patricia Delgado choreographs, and Ken Cerniglia serves as dramaturg. The music team also includes Cynthia Meng as music director and David Lai as music coordinator, with Andy Señor Jr. as associate director and Phil Colgan as associate choreographer.
Performances begin on Alliance Theatre’s Coca-Cola Stage, launching a strictly limited engagement that runs through mid-July. Tickets start at$25, and the production plays in the heart of Midtown at the Woodruff Arts Center campus.
WATCH: Extended Interview
Learn why the creative team chose the Alliance Theatre to mount the production and hear from Gloria Estefan as she looks back on 50 years in the music industry.
Event details
- What: BASURA (world premiere musical)
- Where: Alliance Theatre, Coca-Cola Stage — 1280 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA
- Performances begin: Saturday, May 30, 2026
- Run dates: Through July 12, 2026 (limited engagement)
- Tickets: Starting at $25
- Tickets/info: https://www.alliancetheatre.org/basura
- More info: https://www.basuramusical.com
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