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Deets: On July 11th, TOMS will host the official launch of “GUAC: My Son, My Hero”, a one-man performance by gun violence prevention activist and Parkland father, Manuel Oliver, as part of their End Gun Violence Together initiative. The show introduces a new form of storytelling that combines a true first-person narrative and theater to create an immersive emotional experience that inspires audiences to take a stand on gun violence in America.

“GUAC: My Son, My Hero” is a social justice theater piece that tells Manuel’s story the year following his son’s Joaquin’ murder in the Parkland shooting. Joaquin, affectionately nicknamed “Guac” was one of seventeen people killed on February 14th, 2018 at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. Manuel and his wife Patricia turned their grief into bold activism and founded Change the Ref to devote their lives to raising awareness about gun violence and advocating for reform.  

“GUAC: My Son, My Hero” incorporates storytelling, live painting, video and photography, and audience interaction.  Manny’s goal is to bring Guac’s story to families and communities across the country, in an effort to move audiences to take action to end gun violence in America.  Leading up to November 2020 election, Manuel is taking this show on the road to key electoral swing states to provide a human face to the imperative for gun reform.

After Parkland, who could blame a parent if they wanted to shut the blinds and sort of grieve and mourn in anonymity forever? That’s not what Manny wants. Manny wants to tell his story. Manny wants to tell his son’s story. Manny wants to help us all understand what Parkland felt like —what it feels like. I joined the team to help Manny make that happen. -Leslie Odom Jr.

I lost my son a year ago, but my son didn’t lose his dad. This work helps me be a dad to him every day. - Manuel Oliver

Produced by Tony-winning Broadway producer Yael Silver and co-written and directed by internationally renowned theater artist James Clements, the show is advised by Hamilton actor/singer Leslie Odom, Jr., Dear Evan Hansen lyricist Benji Pasek, co-founder of Soze Michael Skolnik and political strategist Emily Tisch Sussman.

About TOMS
In November of 2018, TOMS launched the End Gun Violence Together initiative, calling on individual voices across the country to help pass universal background checks, legislation that 90% of Americans support. Utilizing a tool on the TOMS homepage, more than 730,000 Americans sent postcards to their representatives in Congress urging them to pass this life-saving legislation. Additionally, TOMS is investing $5 million in a diverse coalition of non-profit organizations with deep expertise and on-the-ground programming to combat the gun violence epidemic in America. TOMS’ End Gun Violence Together grants will fund programs addressing three key issue areas: prevention, intervention, and survivor support.

Hint for the Average Socialite: This event is strictly invite only. Stay tuned for coverage. 

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