In the Lounge King! by Gabriel Gara Lonning & Mariposa Coalson
About This Show
A mind-altering piece of comedic performance art that is in every way better seen than described and better experienced than scrutinized.” —Vulture
Two trans artists enter the Urban Realm, their story rooted in lived experience but constantly shifting—sometimes slipping into poetry, sometimes veering toward the ridiculous, always alive. What begins as a search for meaning (or maybe just a crown) inside New York’s mythic shadow quickly unravels the line between truth and invention, memory and performance.
Born out of a yearlong residency at Smack Mellon in DUMBO, this longform piece refuses easy categories. The narrative is true, but you’ll find yourself walking through a landscape shaped by prose, absurdism, and the sharp, aching humor that defines both classic New York comedy and trans survival. The result is a playful, emotional journey: one that invites the audience to question what’s real, what’s possible, and how laughter and longing can coexist onstage.
Come ready to witness, not just watch. Come ready to be surprised. This isn’t just theater—it’s an experiment in telling a story out loud, together, and seeing where it takes us.
About the Artists
Mariposa Coalson and Gabriel Gara Lonning first crossed paths on the New York City stand-up circuit, each closing in on a decade spent chasing punchlines and perfecting their craft. Their collaboration began when Gabriel brought his solo shows, “How to Be a Girl” and “Welcome to the Big Show,” to Caveat—the downtown theater where Mariposa works.
Mariposa is a sketch writer and playwright whose past works include Winter Baby and Ino Badanjak: Private Eye. She also starred as Caroline Calloway in the acclaimed show “everybody hates u here.” Gabriel and Mariposa quickly found creative chemistry, forming a writing partnership that blends humor, heart, and an eye for the unexpected.
Wed Jul 23 @ 7:30 PM
75 minutes
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Credits
Gabriel Gara Lonning: Michael Keeley Star, Tom Foolery and Gabriel Long-Strong
Mariposa Coalson: Mariposa Delgado
Photo Credit: Aaron Sang-urai (@photojuice)