New Willage Arts Brings San Diego Premiere of ‘Havana Madrid’, the Play that Recovers Part of Chicago’s History of Latin American Immigrants
I will continue the reminder that aside from all the wonderful things theatre is, it is also memory. It is that registry that, as well as entertaining, educates and informs.
Written by Sandra Delgado, a Chicago-born playwright of Colombian parents who came to the U.S, wrote this piece that not only traces Latin American immigrants to the windy city and one of the most happening nightclubs in the sixties, “Havana Madrid”, but also the thread of Latino musicians. A record that was somehow missed in the books.
Directed by Richard Trujillo, the musical production tells the stories of immigrants from Colombia, Puerto Rico, and Cuba, set to original salsa and cumbia-infused music by Cristian Amigo and lyrics by Sandra Delgado, with Carlos Ordiano in the musical direction. Company members and the director are making their New Village Arts debut with Havana Madrid. It’s always great to see that thread with local and upcoming talent. Trujillo aligned these moving pieces: music, dance, lines, actors, and musicians to flow melodically.
The story also tackles racism, classism, and gentrification, which these people suffered while aiming at a new life in Chicago. The cast is vibrant and sweet. Michelle Caravia, in her role as La Havana Madrid, narrates these stories, encouraging the audience to cheer or dance with the same vibe a DJ or host at a nightclub would, making an impression in Jess Moreno Caycho’s beautiful costume design that included long gowns, sun dresses, suits, and business casual wear for the men because in the real life club, that was the attire or you would not get in. The narration is complemented by Michael Wogulis’ projections of black and white scenes of both good and bad that genuinely added to the momentum in Christopher Scott Murillo’s recreation of the famous bar that included individual stages and a stacked bar with added relief and dimension, making the audience part of the scene. The design also allowed for the live band to peek through, which rounded out the frame nicely.
Recent Craig Noel Award nominee Lena Ceja, in the roles of Maruja and Myrna, from a newlywed to an assaulted woman, Ceja continues to shine, showing her artistic chops and growth performing Tamara Rodriguez & Lilea Alvarez’s choreography majestically with a powerful solo as well as beautiful vocal renditions of songs like Contigo en la Distancia. Now, I have a note, which probably comes from the script, and yes, call me “the Spanish language patrol” or “The continuous peeve”… In this song, the lyric was pronounced “En que pueda partarme de ti” when it is “En que pueda apartarme de ti”. In English, it is “part” as in “part ways”, but in Spanish, it translates to “apartar”. Another discrepancy is in the song “No Dejen Que Te Quiten Tu Historia,” where it should be “No Dejes Que Te Quiten Tu Historia” or “No Dejen Que Les Quiten Su Historia” or a combo, “No Dejes Que Les Quiten Su Historia”.
The conjugations in Spanish do not play, and hey, I get called out with my literal translations that often do not make sense. This is always to improve things because language is beautiful. If we are on the border with Tijuana, Mexico, the Spanish should be as honored and cared for as the English, especially when producing meaningful pieces like Havana Madrid.
The charming Alysa Rodriguez tells the moving story of Maria, who was brought from Cuba as a little girl with her brothers and sent to the foster system. Leonardo Romero as Henry and Carpacho has amazing stage chemistry with Lena and Fredy Gomez Cruz as Tony, who went from bartender to dry cleaner extraordinaire. Jawann McBeth as Carlos shows a young boy failed by the school system, integrating these touching tales that move different fibers, from joy and empathy to sadness and anger. The balance came through the music and dance with Russell Chow’s rich lighting that contoured the steps and traced moves performed to live music under Carlos Ordianoin’s music direction and playing bass. Joe Aportela is on percussion, MG Green is on guitar, Gabriella Hendricks is on horns, and Carson Inouye is on keyboard. Miki Vale’s sound design ensured everything came through clearly and with the right energy.
Bravo to New Village Arts for continuing to tell these much-needed stories and contributing to memory.
La Havana Madrid is currently playing until April 27. For more information, please click here.
Nathan Waits is the stage manager for this production. Remember, theatre is not expensive when gifting yourself. There is always a way to find good seats at a price that fits every wallet.
