Miami New Drama Premieres “English Only,” a New Play Examining a Defining Moment in the City’s History
- Jan 23
- 2 min read
Updated: Jan 26
Miami New Drama will present the world premiere of English Only, a new play by Nicholas Griffin, running January 29 through February 22, 2026, at the Colony Theatre in Miami Beach. Directed by Margot Bordelon, the production revisits a pivotal period in Miami’s history when language, politics, and identity collided.
Set in 1980, the play takes place in the aftermath of the Mariel Boatlift, when the arrival of more than 125,000 Cuban refugees rapidly altered the social and political landscape of South Florida. Against this backdrop, English Only follows the rise of a grassroots movement seeking to establish English as Miami-Dade County’s sole official language and the legal and civic resistance that formed in response. At the center of the story are activist Emmy Shafer, who leads the campaign to dismantle bilingual policies, and attorney Manny Diaz, who recognizes the effort as a broader struggle over power, civil rights, and representation.
The production is the first theatrical work to dramatize a ballot initiative aimed at removing Spanish from official government use. Its themes echo current debates around immigration and cultural identity, reinforcing the play’s relevance more than four decades after the events it portrays.
English Only continues Miami New Drama’s Miami History series, which has previously explored local history through productions such as Elián, Dangerous Days, and Confessions of a Cocaine Cowboy.
The remarkable cast bringing English Only to life on the Colony Theatre stage is led by Andhy Mendez as Manny Diaz; the ensemble also features Rene Granado, Carmen Pelaez, Linda Mugleston, and Laura Faye Smith as Emmy Shafer, along with an outstanding supporting company. Together, this group of actors delivers depth and emotional clarity to Nicholas Griffin’s world premiere, creating performances that feel both intimate and urgently of the moment.
Performances take place Thursday through Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. at the Colony Theatre, located at 1040 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach. Tickets range from $40 to $90 and are available through the Colony Theatre website.