Alejandro Arreola Douglas Gonzalo and Daniel Nieves in Main Street Players' “Salida,” directed by Brandon Urrutia. (Photo by Daniel Manso)
When Miami playwright Nicholas Quintana first shared the opening act of "Salida" with Main Street Players about a year ago, Artistic Director Sara Jarrell saw a script with promise.
"There was a lot of really great bones. It was a really great idea, too, and I really wanted to see what was possible with this story," says Jarrell.
Now the play returns as a fully staged workshop production running Saturday, July 18 through Sunday, Aug. 2. Directed by Brandon Urrutia, co-founder of the experimental theater company LakeHouseRanchDotPNG, the production represents the latest step in the play's development from a student work to a professional production.
Quintana wrote "Salida" while studying theater at Florida International University, where it received an early student production in 2025 through FIU Theatre's CARPE DM series, which gives students the opportunity to write, produce and stage original work.
A graduate of Miami Arts Studio and recipient of a Miami Herald Silver Knight Award in Drama, Quintana comes from a South Florida theater family. His parents, Nicole and Ozzie Quintana, are FIU theater alumni and longtime members of the region's theater community.
Nick Valdes as Manny in Main Street Players' “Salida,” directed by Brandon Urrutia. (Photo by Daniel Manso)
Main Street Players first presented a reading of the play's opening act. When Quintana later returned with a completed second act, Jarrell knew it deserved a place in the company's season.
"He came to us and said, 'Hey, I have a second act. I'd love to share it with you,'" says Jarrell. "I said, 'Listen, it needs a little bit of work, but it works perfectly for our season.'"
Although audiences will see a complete production, Jarrell said the workshop process has allowed the creative team to continue shaping the play.
"We've taken the time in the process, with Brandon sort of spearheading that charge, to fully flesh out this story and give it some more little skin and muscle," she said.
For Jarrell, asking Urrutia to direct was an easy decision.
"It was really a no-brainer because we brought this show on as a workshop, and that's really what they do. That's sort of their specialty," she said.
Set around two Noche Buena celebrations six years apart, "Salida" follows Julio as he gathers with his father, uncle and grandfather for the family's annual Christmas Eve domino game.
During the first gathering, he comes out as gay, shattering unspoken family expectations. Years later, Julio returns home from Chicago with news that he is engaged to marry a man.
The title itself carries a double meaning. In Spanish, salida translated in English can mean exit, coming out, or emerging from a place, reflecting the play's explorations.
Jarrell said the story begins with a familiar family tradition.
"It's three generations, four Cuban men, who are having dinner at Noche Buena, and they are playing a game of dominoes," she said. "Over the game of dominoes, we find out that the youngest member of the family ... comes out as gay."
Alejandro Arreola as Julio in Main Street Players' “Salida,” opening Saturday, July 18. (Photo by Daniel Manso)
The second act explores what happens after Julio leaves home.
"He's coming back trying to make amends," she says.
The production also reflects Jarrell's vision for Main Street Players since becoming artistic director last fall. She hopes the company will continue expanding opportunities for South Florida playwrights while serving the diverse communities surrounding Miami Lakes.
"Our mission is to be a place for the community to create and collaborate," Jarrell said. "A lot of the work that I'm hoping to do now that I've stepped in as artistic director is expanding the kind of work that we do and how that reflects our community."
Supporting local playwrights has become a key part of that mission.
"We're just trying to serve the community and tell stories that we think will impact them," she said. "Maybe give them a second to think about the world around them."
IF YOU GO:
WHAT: “Salida” by Nicholas Quintana
WHERE: Main Street Players, Main Street Playhouse, 6812 Main St., Miami Lakes
WHEN: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday. Also, 8 p.m. Thursday, July 30. Opens Saturday, July 18 and runs through Sunday, Aug. 2
TICKETS: $30, $25 for students and seniors with ID.
INFO: 305-558-3737 or mainstreetplayers.com.
