NextStop Theatre Company is thrilled to announce its upcoming production of Native Gardens by DC-based playwright Karen Zacarías, which will run from January 23 to February 16, 2025. This razor-sharp comedy takes audiences into the heart of Georgetown, where a neighborhood squabble over a garden fence becomes a high-stakes battle of cultures, privilege, entitlement, and good taste. Directed by the acclaimed Elena Velasco, who last helmed NextStop’s sold-out production of In the Heights (six Helen Hayes Award nominations, including Outstanding Director of a Musical and one win), Native Gardens promises an uproarious and thought-provoking evening. The show examines what happens when well-intentioned neighbors turn into adversaries over matters of property lines and personal pride. The cast of ‘Native Gardens.’ Photos courtesy of NextStop Theatre Company. The cast features a stellar ensemble of actors, including Helen Hayes Award-winner Nicole Halmos (NextStop’s The Cake), Gabriel Alejandro, Cristina Sanchez, and Matthew Pauli. Understudies for the production include Philip Kryzwicki, Ellen Schiavone, Wilmer Xuarez, and Liz Weber. Native Gardens holds particular resonance for NextStop’s audience, with its setting in Georgetown and its author Karen Zacarías—a celebrated playwright with deep ties to the DC community. The play offers a humorous yet poignant exploration of themes such as race, privilege, and community, making it a must-see for audiences in the DMV area. Director Elena Velasco highlights: “Tania and Pablo offer a wider perspective of what it means to exist in the world at this time as a member of the Global Majority, particularly within the diversity of Latinidad lived experiences. Given where our nation is headed, we have more than just complicated conversations ahead of us. Native Gardens presents the hope that neighbors see neighbors as people and not politics, with compassion and understanding.” This production also marks an exciting milestone for NextStop Theatre as it is the first show fully led by the company’s new Producing Artistic Director, Heather Lanza. Her leadership brings fresh energy and vision to the company’s commitment to producing innovative and engaging theater. “We’re thrilled to kick off 2025 with such a brilliant and relevant comedy,” said Lanza. “Karen Zacarías’ sharp writing, combined with Elena Velasco’s dynamic direction, creates a theatrical experience that will have audiences laughing, thinking, and talking long after the curtain falls.” Native Gardens runs January 23–February 16, 2025, at NextStop Theatre, 269 Sunset Park Drive, Herndon, Virginia 20170. For tickets ($45, general admission) call the box office at 703-481-5930 x1 or go online. ‘Native Gardens’ show art courtesy of NextStop Theatre Company. About NextStop Theatre NextStop Theatre Company is an award-winning professional theater company in the heart of Herndon, VA. Located minutes away from Reston Town Center, Historic Downtown Herndon, Dulles Airport, and the Herndon Silver Line Metro Station, the company has established a strong regional reputation for producing critically acclaimed productions and educational programs, while showcasing a wide array of local talent and arts relevant to the community. SEE ALSO: Heather Lanza on her dreams and goals for NextStop Theatre (interview by Lisa Traiger, January 6, 2025)