Gloria Estefan and her daughter Emily are writing a new musical, Basura

Atlanta’s Alliance Theatre announced the new world premiere

The upcoming 2025-2026 season will include the world premiere of the new musical called Basura. Gloria Estefan is writing the songs with her daughter Emily Estefan.

The musical is based on the true story of Paraguay's Recycled Orchestra. The plot follows a music teacher who sets up an orchestra, and because his poor students are not able to afford instruments, they built their instruments from scrap metal.

Gloria Estefan said in a statement: "This is a story that has been close to my heart for several years since I first encountered the determination and ingenuity of the young people of Paraguay’s Recycled Orchestra. Emily and I are thrilled for our music to be a part of telling their story in this original musical. We could not be more excited for Basura to begin its theatrical life in a city as influential and diverse as Atlanta with a theatre as consequential as the Alliance."    

Basura has a book by Karen Zacarias (Native Gardens, Destiny of Desire), the show will be directed by Michael Greif, choreography by Patricia Delgado. Music supervision, orchestrations, and arrangements by Alex Lacamoire with Ken Cerniglia serving as dramaturg.

Further details are yet to be announced.