Tenor Jesus Garcia will present his song cycle “Manifest Destiny by Jesus G” during Philadelphia’s Fringe Festival this September.

According to the press release, Garcia will “explore the juxtaposition of [his] Catholic upbringing, his Native-American ancestry, and his sexuality” through his alter-ego, Jesus G. He aims to “to challenge the abuse of power, and honor the soul’s journey, from its trials to its triumphs.”

“The term ‘manifest destiny’ was originally used in reference to the European settlers who invaded North America with the proclamation that their ‘God’ had promised this land to his followers,” Garcia explains. “Of course, the Native Americans asked, ‘Who is this God of yours who would set man against his brother in conquest of a land that cannot be bought nor sold? Surely, this cannot be the great man, Jesus, whom we have heard of.’ ‘Manifest Destiny’ seeks to challenge the bigoted views of the separatist, religious person who believes that he will, somehow, show up at the gates of heaven and be rewarded with a place in the eternal pantheon. In my opinion, any idea of inequality in the name of God is erroneous and is the root of all war. For truly, in the end, if one’s truth has led to the oppression and death of others, then whom is this God who has influenced these actions? Was it God at all? Or was it a man-made creation posing as God? We are bigger than the rules that seek to bind us, bigger than the religions that seek to control us, we are the ones we’ve been waiting for.”

Garcia’s recent credits include the title role of Gounod’s “Faust” at the Savonlinna Opera Festival, Count Almaviva in Rossini’s “Il Barbiere di Siviglia” with Boston Lyric Opera, Rodolfo in Puccini’s “La Boheme” at Tempere Hall, Giasone in in Cherubini’s “Medea” at Opera Omaha, Alfredo in Verdi’s “La Traviata” with Nederlandse Reisopera, and the title role of Mozart’s “La Clemenza di Tito” at Badisches Staatsoper. He is a recipient of the Tony Award Honor for Excellence in Theater for his leading performance in Baz Luhrmann’s “La Boheme” on Broadway.

Performances of “Manifest Destiny” will take place at the Arden Theatre Company’s Arcadia Stage from Sept. 12 – 15, 2019.