Salsa Night
A play by Francisco Martínezcuello
An unexpected connection.
A moment of joy in a world at war.
Iraq, 2004. A Dominican-American infantryman on respite meets a Haitian-American sergeant working in Mortuary Affairs. Their chance encounter opens the possibility of connection and joy amid distrust, loneliness, and loss.
2023 Lieutenant William Broyles Award
Marine Corps Heritage Foundation
Past event — July 25, 2025. Original flyer for the reading of Salsa Night at The Players in New York City, presented by Savage Wonder Art Center and directed by Eric Tucker.
Marine Corps Heritage Foundation
2023 Lieutenant William Broyles Award — Salsa Night
About the Play
Finding one another.
Two Marines. Different lives. A chance encounter on a U.S. base in Iraq.
Through the encounter of an infantryman and a Mortuary Affairs sergeant, Salsa Night considers what it means to reach another person amid isolation, grief and cultural difference.
The play makes room for connection, humor and joy without turning away from the circumstances that bring its characters together.
Start a conversation.
For script requests, readings, development opportunities and production inquiries, contact Francisco directly.
Development & Recognition
The play’s journey
2025
New York industry reading
The Players, New York City
Directed by Eric Tucker
Presented by Savage Wonder Art Center
July 25, 2025
2023
Lieutenant William Broyles Award
Marine Corps Heritage Foundation
Dramatic Work
2022
Playwriting recognition
VetRep Theatre — third-place finalist
AITAF Bridge Award — playwright finalist
Salsa Night, the essay
A separate creative nonfiction piece, published by Hippocampus Magazine in 2021.