Miami New Drama’s latest world premiere play English Only is remarkable from the first line of dialogue until the final moment. The one-act play chronicles a pivotal piece of Miami history from 1980 that is very relevant today. Only this week it was announced that Florida will be conducting its driving exams “exclusively” in English.
Back in 1980, in the wake of the Mariel Boatlift, a movement emerged in Miami-Dade County to make English the official language on all county documents, signage, and public communications. This play brings that initiative vividly to life, examining the cultural, political, and emotional fault lines it created. And oh, boy, does this play erupt!
English Only dramatizes very important questions. Who gets to define American? What’s more important? Nationalism or humanity? Its themes of cultural fear, immigration and belonging, media influence and misinformation, are so important today.
English Only takes its themes and knocks them out of the park. It’s a grand slam of cultural storytelling, superb acting and timely relevance. The play is highly entertaining!
English Only Review
The first six months of 1980 in Miami are among the most significant periods in American history. Need proof? Read Nicholas Griffin’s nonfiction book The Year of Dangerous Days, arguably the best book ever written about Miami. Griffin, previously adapted a slice of this material for the MND stage, in 2024’s Dangerous Days.
With English Only, he wisely narrows his focus to a single moment and expands it into a fully realized, compelling drama, yet the rest of the year is not lost, its context is very much there.
Under the direction of Margot Bordelon, the staging works beautifully.
On one side of the stage, Manny Diaz and his assistant Lucy Alvarez fight for Cuban refugees at the offices of the civil rights organization SALAD. On the other, Emmy Shafer and Barbara Simmons, in Shafer’s living room, lead the English-only initiative that places the issue on the ballot and passes it, making English the official language of Miami-Dade County for 13 years.
At the center of the stage is shock-jock radio host Stan Rogers, whose blaring, fear-driven broadcasts frame the debate and give voice to both sides of the argument. The result is a production that feels balanced, thoughtful, and alive.
English Only Performances
The performances are exceptional. Laura Faye Smith brings a steady, sharp intensity to Emmy Shafer. Andy Mendez is impassioned and versatile as Manny Diaz. Linda Mugleston delivers a compelling antagonist in Barbara Simmons, adding eccentric charm to the role. Carmen Peláez provides grounding warmth and sincerity as Lucy Alvarez.
This was one of the best assembled casts in recent regional memory.
And the standout among standouts is René Granado. He commands the stage as shock jock Stan Rogers and also plays five additional characters. His vocal power, presence, and range elevate the entire production. What a talent! We spoke to Granado who admitted that he had quit acting for about a year, taking on a sales job in pest extermination. Thank goodness MND called and brought him back to the arts. We are all better for it.
Final Thoughts
Political debates around language, identity, and immigration continue today. This play enters the conversation with intelligence rather than spectacle and presents both sides with fairness and invites genuine reflection instead of easy judgment.
English Only is entertaining, provocative, and meaningful. It is exactly what a world premiere should be, a piece of theatre that speaks to its city and the moment.
For more info and tickets click here.
