Walking to America

A multimedia play inspired by a National Public Radio interview and personal experiences of the author, Walking to America follows the true story of a young Honduran boy named Palo who traveled for two years, through four countries, for over 2,400 miles to reach America. He is an Everyman of street children, taking a journey through narcotics and glue addiction, the sex trade, and child labor. He’s on a heartbreaking chase of an American Dream that he sees transmitted via satellite on televisions from inside corner stores. Even more tragic, however, is what happens after he arrives.

Click here to read a NY Daily News feature on Walking to America.

Alberto Bonilla is a Director- and Playwright-in-Residence at 78th Street Theatre Lab, and he will serve in both capacities for this world premiere of his work. “When I heard the NPR interview, I was shocked and horrified,” says Bonilla. “I’m from Honduras, and I knew a lot of the places that he was talking about.” The impact of that radiocast led the playwright to call the boy’s lawyer, and he later consulted human rights organizations Amnesty International and Casa Alianza to aide him with his research.

Preview performances are on Tuesday, August 31 and Wednesday, September 1 at 8pm.