Historical Theatrical Exchange
Although Key West sits 90 miles north of Havana, sometimes in the Florida Keys it feels like Cuba is more of a sibling than just a neighbor. Many of the oldest families in Key West are Cuban transplants, having come to the United States either before the two countries’ relations became strained or after, when it was a far more difficult and arduous journey. As a result, the island is imbued with a distinctly Cuban spirit and the Cuban cultural influence on local art and artists is strong. One such artist is Michael Marrero, a playwright of Cuban descent who was born and raised in Key West and has resided on the island for much of his life.
In the winter of 2014, Mr. Marrero debuted his short play “Locura,” a colorful account of Key West in the lawless days of the mid-20th century, when cockfighting was a nightly occurrence and Monkey Island was (allegedly) infested with genetically altered chimpanzees who could tear you limb from limb if you accidentally happened upon their territory. The short play spawned a longer feature that premiered at the Key West Theater in 2015 to much critical fanfare. “Locura” is not the subject of one of the first-ever theatrical exchanges between the United States and Cuba of its kind.
Although cultural exchange has been one of the few avenues permitted under the American economic embargo, this particular production is unique in that it is truly bilateral. “Locura” has been translated into Spanish and will be performed in Havana in May by a Cuban theater troupe and, in exchange, “Eclipse,” a play by the famed Cuban playwright Jazz Vila, will be performed in English at the Key West Theater from January 24th-28th by American actors.
Vilá’s “Eclipse” is a modern retelling of the classic play “Miss Julie” by August Strindberg, which uses the medium of reality television to contemporize the classic work. Vilá brings the piece, originally written in 1888, into the 21st century by setting it within a cutthroat competition reality television show called “Eclipse,” complete with a ridiculous host and a vicious panel of judges. The scenes cut back and forth between the reality show and the panel of judges, who analyze the characters’ every move and provide biting commentary on the side. In the end, the live audience decides the fate of the characters by vote, which renders the production both interactive and ultramodern.
“For us to be invited to participate in this exchange and to be among the first ones to do something like this with Cuba is beyond anything I ever imagined for the theater at this point in our development,” says Michael Marrero, Executive Director of the Key West Theater. “We are so proud and excited to be a part of what we hope will be a much larger cultural exchange not only for Key West but for the American theatrical community at large.”
For tickets to “Eclipse,” which runs from January 24th-28th at the Key West Theater at 512 Eaton Street, visit www.thekeywesttheater.com or call (305) 985-0433. For information on attending the Cuba production of “Locura” this May in Havana, email Key West Theater Artistic Director Juliet Gray at [email protected].
Press
http://wlrn.org/post/recapturing-rougher-side-key-west-history
About the Key West Theater
Located at 512 Eaton Street in Key West, Florida, the theater is a newly-renovated performing arts center that presents original plays, musicals, films, concerts and more.
Originally built in 1848 as the 1st Baptist Church of Key West, the theater has intimate seating for 270, welcoming fans into an air-conditioned evening of table service and state of the art live entertainment.
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