About The Show
THE STORY
Freestyle: A Love Story celebrates identity, roots, and the echoes of our past.
It’s the present day. ANA, a Puerto Rican in her 50s, and JUNIOR, a Cuban in his 50s, prepare for a nostalgic night at Radio City Music Hall's Freestyle Extravaganza. Married to their respective spouses and with grown kids, tonight they’re getting ready to relive their youth alongside legends like Judy Torres and Lisa Lisa. But when their friends bail last minute, both face a choice: stay home or go solo. Decked out in retro '80s attire, they decide to head to the venue alone, unwittingly sitting just a few rows apart. Being at the concert thrusts them back to 1987—the night Ana and Junior met at a Freestyle show and fell in love.
Freestyle isn’t just a backdrop—it’s the rhythm of their lives, resonating through every high and low, reminding them of where they’ve been and who they’ve become. Their love story, bound by a passion for Freestyle music, follows a path through love, marriage, heartbreak, divorce, and grief.
WHAT IS FREESTYLE?
It’s the 1980s in the Tri-State Area. Disco is dead, Reagan is in the White House, and the Bronx is burning—grappling with crime and poverty. Nonetheless, from the ashes of hardship, a collective of socially and politically conscious artists made up of Latinos and African Americans, begin experimenting with Latin rhythms and rap. A new musical movement is born: FREESTYLE, aka Latin Hip Hop.
Popularized in the dance clubs and streets of New York City, Freestyle becomes one of the original forms of Electronic Dance Music. It’s the rebellious lovechild of disco and hip hop. The majority of the DJs, producers, and artists fueling this movement are Americans of Latino descent, predominantly Puerto Ricans. Music acts like Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam, George Lamond, Judy Torres, Cynthia, and TKA defined the genre. It was the original Latin Explosion!
At its core, Freestyle music is all about LOVE—heartbreak, make-ups, innocence, yearning, and the quest for lasting romance. It’s a musical telenovela in English.
BACKGROUND
The project began as a documentary born from creator George Valencia’s drive to preserve the Freestyle movement—a vital yet overlooked chapter in music history. Determined to honor this unique Latino contribution and the artists who shaped it, he captured stories from legends like Judy Torres, K7, and Betty "Dee" LeBron.
Over time, and with the help of his friend and writer, Lidia Ramirez, the documentary evolved into the theatrical play it is today. Inspired by the experiences of those who danced to these Latin beats, the play is a heartfelt tribute to an unforgettable era.
George Valencia, 1987
Lidia Ramirez, 1988
Our Team
Created By: George Valencia
Written By: George Valencia & Lidia Ramirez
Executive Producers: Judy Reyes, Ana Ortiz, Malcolm Lam
Producers: Judy Torres, Monique Gabriela Curnen, Malecon Productions
Choreographer: Marlyn Ortiz