The New Conservatory Theatre Center (NCTC) is excited to serve up the next bowl of bold and fresh queer theatre with the world premiere of Marga Gomez’s flavor-packed, autobiographical treat Spanish Stew, directed by Richard A. Mosqueda.
After being outed by her flamboyant mother, young Gomez, like a Latina Patty Hearst, escapes her New York home for 1976 San Francisco with her first love, aka her “friend from college.” When a survival restaurant job requires her to recreate a treasured family recipe, Gomez’s Spanish Stew unites her with her family of origin and her queer, punk, and avant-garde San Francisco family.
Spanish Stew is a one-woman show starring Gomez as herself. In addition to Mosqueda, the creative team includes sound and projection design by Lana Palmer, costume design by Corrida Godbold, lighting design by Nic Candito, stage management by Taylor Mendez, and set design by Ashley
Méndez.
Playwright Gomez is a GLAAD Award-winning writer/performer of fifteen solo plays, which have been presented nationally, Off-Broadway, internationally, and in the Bay Area at NCTC, The Marsh, Brava Theater, Theater Rhinoceros, Playground, and The Magic Theater. Her 15th solo play, Spanish Stew, originated from an Individual Artist Grant 2024 from the San Francisco Arts Council.
Gomez’s Off-Broadway and regional acting credits include the 2025 extended engagement of The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life (Aurora Theater, Berkeley). Other credits include Fefu and Her Friends (2022 American Conservatory Theater, San Francisco), Translating Selena (2020 Campo Santo, San Francisco), Dr. Ride’s American Beach House (2019 Ars Nova Theater, New York), King of Cuba (2018 Central Works, Berkeley), as well as numerous productions of The Vagina Monologues sharing the stage with Rita Moreno and Vicki Lawrence. Film and television roles include Netflix’s Sense 8, HBO’s Tracey Takes On …, and Warner Brothers’ Batman Forever and Sphere.
Gomez has stirred up plenty of acclaim from renowned fellow artists as well as publications:
“Astonishing.”—Armistead Maupin
“A Lesbian Lenny Bruce.”—Robin Williams
“F—ing funny.”—Sting
“Marga Gomez is a world-class talent who continues to present captivating shows that elicit emotional responses because of her intelligence, talent, honesty, warmth, compassion, and profound ability to connect with her audiences. Gomez’s unique background—with a comedian father from Cuba and a mother who was an exotic dancer from Puerto Rico—helped set the stage early on for her creative career that continues to break boundaries and inspire others.”
—San Francisco Bay Times
Spanish Stew runs through November 23, 2025, and will have its Opening Night on Saturday, October 25. A Post-Show Discussion featuring the cast, including Gomez, and moderated by the director, will take place after the performance on Sunday, November 2. On Wednesday nights before the show, Dance Mission will help guests learn the basics of Salsa Suelta. There is no need for a partner for these informal, fun dance lessons!
NCTC’s 2025–2026 Season Subscribers are eligible for discounted tickets. Tickets are $35.50–$72.50 (costs include fees) and are available at https://nctcsf.org/
You can also email boxoffice@nctcsf.org or call 415-861-8972
Arts & Entertainment
Published on October 23, 2025
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