Tuesday, February 11, 2025. The Flea Theatre, Tribeca. Manhattan, NY.– Chispa, the leading dating and friendship app for the Latine community, officially launched its groundbreaking “AMOR WITH NO B.S.” with the first-ever off-Broadway production produced by a dating app.
The interactive and innovative theatrical venture reimagined classic Shakespearean plays—including Romeo and Juliet, Twelfth Night, and Hamlet—through a fresh Latine lens.
Guests were escorted to the Flea theatre with complimentary fare from Chispa. Doors opened at The Flea Theatre where warmly greeted, applied our “labels”, mingled and sipped cocktails before the launch of the play. On the open bar, handwritten written labels as adjectives such as: ‘loud’, ‘spicy’, ‘lazy’, ‘drama queen, and’,’ fiesta king’ amongst others were placed for our selection to adorn our garments.
The Inspiration: Chispa’s “Love and Stereotypes” Survey (and the “labels” we wore)
I chose ‘passionate’ often being labeled as such in day-to-day life. The social experiment of these labels we wore was central to the “AMOR WITH NO B.S.” campaign of Chispa’s extensive “Love and Stereotypes” survey. The findings reveal a community that navigates cultural expectations with both humor and directness. This wide-ranging survey serves as the cornerstone of the “AMOR WITH NO B.S.” campaign, shining a light on how Latinos perceive cultural assumptions, identity, and romance in today’s world.
- 49% of respondents laugh off misconceptions about their heritage, highlighting a resilient sense of humor.
- 30% prefer to address misunderstandings politely, choosing an educational approach to dispel stereotypes.
- 36% feel that their cultural identity is highly respected in dating, reflecting positive recognition.
- 29% have experienced both appreciation and fetishization, underscoring the complex facets of cultural identity in romance.
- 66% embrace traditional “relationship goals,” while 15% are determined to break the mold and craft their own rules.
Shortly after the arrival, actress Sofía Vilches enters the lobby, while in character, persuading the guests to enter the auditorium. Making her way downstairs, she eagerly encourages us to follow (wine in tote). Once seated, acclaimed Mexican filmmaker Roberto Sneider (Dos Crímenes, Tear This Heart Out), director Estefanía Fadul (The Garbologists, Eva Luna, Carla’s Quince), and playwright Matt Barber (El Coquí Espectacular and the Bottle of Doom, The Venetians), greet the audience and share their excitement for the debut of the one-night-only premiere of “AMOR WITH NO B.S.” in New York City.
Staged at The Flea Theater in Manhattan’s TriBeCa neighborhood, the 45-minute show merged classic drama with contemporary flair. Under Fadul’s direction, the cast breathed new life into Shakespeare’s iconic scenes, spotlighting cultural nuance and the challenges of modern dating. The premiere captivated both theater aficionados and those new to the stage, drawing parallels between Shakespeare’s enduring themes and the lived experiences of young Latine audiences.
AMOR WITH NO B.S. brought together an award-winning creative team and a dynamic, Gen-Z-driven cast to reimagine Shakespeare for today’s audience. Led by Producer Roberto Sneider (Dos Crímenes, Frida), Director Estefanía Fadul (The Garbologists, Eva Luna), and Playwright Matt Barber (El Coquí Espectacular and the Bottle of Doom), the production blended fresh energy and cultural authenticity in a bold off-Broadway adaptation. Starring Diego Echeverria and Sofía Vilches, alongside digital creators Eli Vazquez and Bralmarys Batista, the cast delivered humor, heart, and a modern take on love and identity; all while interacting with the audience with balloon and confetti props.
After giving the cast a standing ovation, the cast, crew, and attending guests were whisked away by shuttle to Ernesto’s, compliments of Chispa’s to indulge in an a4-course meal. Guests were offered a selection of choices cocktails, wines, and both alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages. Appetizers included: Croquetas de gallina, tostas de hongos and tostas de gambas; followed by the entrees of seasonal vegetables and plato de embutidos; the main course of macarrones con hongos, rape a la parrilla and arroz meloso. Dining ended with a delicious dessert of sorbet, tarta de queso and a lovely scented candle as a take home gift for attending the event.
Created in partnership with Hispanic creative agency BeautifulBeast, Chispa’s “AMOR WITH NO B.S.” campaign is a bold invitation for Latinos to authentically connect and write their own love stories—free of unnecessary labels, cultural judgments, and stereotypes.
The campaign’s emphasis on modern dating, cultural identity, and the universal quest for meaningful relationships reflects Chispa’s commitment to celebrating love without limits.
To learn more about “AMOR WITH NO B.S.,” the off-Broadway show, or Chispa’s broader campaign initiatives, follow the brand at @ChispaApp on social media for campaign updates, behind-the-scenes content, and more.
