Spanish Tragicomedy "No Nos Merecemos Soñar" Debuting in New York
News related to:Los Teloneros · 2 min read
Los Teloneros, a theatre company based in Valencia, Spain, is bringing its multi-award-winning production "No nos merecemos soñar" to Manhattan for the first time. The play, written and directed by Rafael Ponce, will run from October 28 to 30, 2026, at LATEA Theatre, located at 107 Suffolk Street, 2nd Floor, in Manhattan's Lower East Side.
"No nos merecemos soñar" is a contemporary tragicomedy that combines dark comedy, music, physical performance, and absurdist humor. The 75-minute production explores the contradictions of human existence and the distance between the lives we imagine and the ones we actually live. Los Teloneros, known for its distinctive theatrical language, presents a world where comedy and tragedy coexist, and the ordinary becomes extraordinary.
The play challenges traditional storytelling through an interplay of physical performance, poetic fragments, visual imagery, and musical expression. Characters emerge and disappear, and familiar situations take unexpected turns, revealing the absurdity, vulnerability, and contradictions hidden beneath everyday life. The production invites audiences to discover their own meaning within its contradictions, rather than offering easy answers.
The play's journey from Valencia to Manhattan offers a new perspective on the dreams and realities of life. While the production explores the fragile relationship between dreams and reality, ten members of the company are crossing the Atlantic to pursue their own artistic ambitions. Onstage, five performers confront the absurdities of life, while offstage, the company is embracing a new possibility.
The production will be performed entirely in Spanish, with four performances scheduled over three days. The first performance is on October 28, 2026, at 7:00 PM, followed by a second performance on October 29, 2026, at 7:00 PM, and two more on October 30, 2026, at 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM. Tickets are available for General Admission at $35, Students at $25, and Premium at $50.
On October 27, 2026, one day before opening night, Los Teloneros will present the production and its accompanying book at La Nacional, a historic Spanish cultural institution in Manhattan. The book, published by Los Teloneros Ediciones, brings together Rafael Ponce's theatrical text, original drawings, reflections on his creative process, and contributions exploring his artistic universe. This special event will provide an opportunity to explore the creative journey behind "No nos merecemos soñar" and connect with the company ahead of its New York performances.
Before its arrival in New York, "No nos merecemos soñar" earned multiple distinctions on Spain's contemporary theatre scene. In 2025, the production received three Red Escénica distinctions, recognizing the production, direction, and lighting design. In 2026, Los Teloneros received the Inesperat de Oro, the top prize in the professional category at the National Festival of Innovative Theatre in L'Eliana, Spain. These recognitions highlight the production's distinctive artistic identity, developed through Rafael Ponce's writing and direction and the collaborative work of the company's performers and creative team.
The upcoming New York engagement marks a new international chapter for Los Teloneros and its award-winning production. New York has long been a meeting place for artistic voices, international perspectives, and stories that cross cultural boundaries. For Los Teloneros, bringing "No nos merecemos soñar" to Manhattan represents an opportunity to share a distinctive theatrical vision with a new audience.