It matters what stories are told and who tells them. Stories change our hearts, expand our worlds, and challenge what was. Becoming Chavela tells important herstory. It's the story of a woman’s determination to be heard and be seen; to become an artist. The play opens with the story of my mother Maria Socorro Valines, a Puerto Rican migrant who came to New York City when she was 4 years old. However, the primary tale is the dramatic enactment of Chavela's journey as a Costa Rican immigrant who created her life and art as Mexico's great ranchera singer. Chavela Vargas inspired me. She helped me find my voice and discover my path as a performing artist.
New songs! New dances! Now a 90 minute musical play!
October 23, 24 & 25. Teatro Latea, 107 Suffolk Street, NYC. The hip Loisaida!
Get your tickets here
FUNDRAISING IS ALWAYS ONGOING FOR PERFORMANCES OF
BECOMING CHAVELA
Becoming Chavela is an homage to famed Mexican Ranchera singer,
Chavela Vargas
Directed by James Martinelli, Musical Director Ben Lapidus
Actors: Stephanie Trudeau, James Martinelli and Ana Bella Leon
A fundraising performance of Becoming Chavela, a musical play about legendary, iconic Mexican singer Chavela Vargas was performed at a private residence in Boreum Hill, Brooklyn.This fundraiser, held Sunday June 21, 2026 at 4:30 pm, was for operating expenses (not covered by box office receipts) for upcoming performances October 23, 24 & 25 at Teatro Latea in NYC and an international engagement in Lima, Peru. A shortened version of Becoming Chavela began at 5:00 and ran forty minutes. Fundraising continues. Sponsorship opportunities are also available. Tax deductible contributions can be made for the Chavela Project through the fiscal sponsor, Fractured Atlas.
Chavela Project is a sponsored project of Fractured Atlas, a non-profit arts service organization. Contributions for the charitable purposes of Chavela Project must be made payable to “Fractured Atlas” only and are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.
Initially a one-woman cabaret performance, Becoming Chavela is now a multi-character musical play, enriched with biographical narrative and enactment, dance, Mexican songs, original songs composed by Ms. Trudeau and illustrated with multimedia. Becoming Chavela, the first Ranchera musical, honors iconic Mexican singer Chavela Vargas and highlights topics of gender issues, LGBTQ rights, immigration and Mexican culture.
MEET THE CAST
Stephanie Trudeau has been an actress and singer for over 40 years, performing in NYC cabaret, Off-Broadway, and regional theater. She is a Fulbright scholar and the editor/writer of The Dylan Tapes, Friends, Lovers and Players Talking' Early Bob Dylan. Winner of the 2020 NYC Bistro Award for Outstanding Tribute show, Ms. Trudeau's performance was acclaimed at both the 2022 and 2023 Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Her award-winning short film based on her cabaret show is currently screening at film festivals.
Actor/Dancer, Sean Kenin Elias-Reyes
Sean has extensive credits in film, television and voice overs. His theater creditsinclude musical theater: Olivia O, Telo, Marielitos, From the Hip and A Bush Carol.Shakespeare credits include A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Twelfth Night.
Ana Leon Bella, Actor/Dancer/Choreographer
Holds an MA in Dance Education from New york University. A dance artist with Phyllis Rose Dance Company and has taught dance history, criticism and movement at Wagner College, Hunter college and Rutgers University. She is grateful to be back with the Chavela family.
Director, Leonard Peters
Leonard Peters is a writer, theatre director, dramaturg, teacher, acting and presentation coach.
He has directed more than 50 productions across the United States including, in New York City, Playwrights Horizons, The WPA Theatre, La Mama etc., Circle Repertory Company, St. Clement’s Playhouse, The Joyce Theater, St. Mark’s-in-the-Bowery, and Lincoln Center, and at the renowned Metropolitan Room.
LIVE SHOWS AND FILM FESTIVALS
📍CHERRY GROVE, NEW YORK
JULY 2025
180 Bayview Walk, Cherry Grove,
New York 11782
EDINBURGH FRINGE FESTIVAL
📍EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND
The space at Surgeon Hall-
Royal College of Surgeons
Nicolson St, Edinburgh EHS 9DH, UK
AUGUST 2023
📍SARASOTA, FLORIDA
October 2023
1214 N Palm Av,
Sarasota, FL 34236
155 1st Ave,
New York, NY 10003
📍NEW YORK CITY
December 2023-Jan 2024
Based on the cabaret show Becoming Chavela, the film was co-written and directed by Joyce Callo, a New York Emmy Award Winner, who is an independent writer/director for film, television, and other media.
