Matthew Paul Olmos’s that drive through monterey world premiere play at Houston Stages. Sophia Marcelle and Matthew Martinez star in a sweet love story between two square awkward nerds while sneaking in a commentary on machismo. Who knew such cute scintillating romance could be found at the library! Huge shoutout to Cassidy Stanley’s lighting design which used floor trims to seamlessly simulate driving and scene changes. It’s been 10 years since my last visit at this theatre company, and it’s crazy seeing their nice new building complex. Closes 6/7. 🎭🚘
Tickets: https://stageshouston.com/event/that-drive-thru-monterey/
Like/Comment/Share my Social Media Preview Posts About this Show:
that drive thru monterey
Written by Matthew Paul Olmos
Directed by Brenda Palestina
Producers: Syma and Walt Zerkow
Derek Charles Livingston, Artistic Director | Gwen Watkins, Managing Director
Dates & Venue: On the Lester and Sue Smith Stage | May 8 – Jun. 7, 2026
Featuring
- Sophia Marcelle
- Matthew Martinez
- Elissa Cuellar
- Marissa Castillo
- Antonio Lasanta
Creative Team
- Scenic Designer: Tania Barrenechea
- Costume Designer: Preciosa Aivles
- Lighting Designer: Cassidy Stanley
- Sound Designer: Yezminne Zepeda
- Properties Designer: Jodi Bobrovsky
- Intimacy Director: Valerie Rachelle
- Stage Manager: Ashley Ginn
Costumes created in the Myrtle Jones Wig and Costume Shop
Properties created in the Jo and Jim Furr Prop Shop
Cast List
- Sophia Marcelle* … monterey
- Matthew Martinez* … maximilliano
- Elissa Cuellar … lydia
- Marissa Castillo* … lupe
- Antonio Lasanta … timoteo
Production Crew
- Show Control: Celeste Cerenio
- A1: Tyrone Mathis, Jr.
- Wardrobe Supervisor: Vic Lucas
- Deck Crew: Michelle Sosa, Makenzie Owens, Daun Whaley, Jakob Kubis
Production Details
- Time and Place: California, beginning in 1971
- Runtime: This production runs for 2.5 hours with an intermission
*Appearing through an agreement between Stages and Actors’ Equity Association, The Union Of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
Any taping, filming, recording, or broadcast of this play is strictly prohibited. Please turn off phones and other electronic devices.
Play Development History & Acknowledgements
- that drive thru monterey was developed at the 2021 Ojai Playwrights Conference: Robert Egan, Artistic Director/Producer.
- that drive thru monterey was originally written and developed through The Lark’s Winter Writers’ Retreat.
- that drive thru monterey was developed through LAUNCH PAD at the University of California, Santa Barbara – Department of Theater and Dance in 2023, Risa Brainin, Artistic Director.
- that drive thru monterey is presented by special arrangement with United Talent Agency.
- that drive thru monterey was originally produced by Stages, Derek Charles Livingston, Artistic Director, and Gwen Watkins, Managing Director, in Houston, Texas, May 8th, 2026.
Funding & Sponsors:
Stages is funded in part by grants from the City of Houston through the Houston Arts Alliance. This project is generously funded by the Houston Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs and Mid-America Arts Alliance.