in 2008, alvarez conceived of the civil war-era science fictional musical "futurity" as his master's thesis at bard. in 2009, the lisps first performed "futurity" at the now defunct new york city venue, the zipper factory. "futurity" world premiered as part of the american repertory theater's 2011/12 season under the direction of sarah benson co-commissioned by walker art center. "futurity" went on to an off-broadway premiere co-produced by soho rep and ars nova in 2015. that production won the lucille lortel award for outstanding musical and received 4 other lortel nominations.