We saw one version of this show outdoors in the courtyard of San Juan Capistrano Mission in 2023.
But that was then and this is now, where Carlsbad’s New Village Arts offers a complete version of Sandra Delgado’s original show, which plays through April 27 at the Carlsbad theater’s 2787 State Street home.
This show is directed by Richard Trujillo and has a listed cast of 6 (and two swings), and seems to move at a breakneck pace partly because it offers fast “meetings” between male and female Cuban characters who all want to live the American dream.
But we’re not in Cuba now. We’re in a Chicago nightclub in the 1950s and ‘60s, where folks come to meet, greet and hope to find and live that dream.
Originally founded by Cuban-born White Sox pitcher Luis Aloma, it transformed into a stylish nightclub with a Cuban menu and live music. In 1966, Puerto Rican businessman and radio host Tony Quintana took over, bringing A-list Latin talent to promote the venue. It was finally forced to close in 1969, and today it’s a hair salon.
But this show lets us in on the memories of the club that once was, with a cast of six and two swings and a band of five.
Wonderfully directed by Richard Trujillo, the evening starts in the lobby with snacks and drinks (take your pick) and entertainment provided by the band.
After that, we are invited to enter La Havana Madrid and say hello to the folks there.
We’ll find a bunch of young former Cubans now living in Chicago, looking for friends and even lovers. Behind them is a band (gotta have it) that we can even watch (though from quite a distance). But mostly what we’ll see is a bar with a bartender and assorted men and women looking for food, perhaps a drink and maybe even a future girl or boyfriend.
The cast here is wondrous fine. All the actors are also good (some even excellent) singers, who keep the show going. Some even talk to us in the audience. It’s all very friendly and charming.
The only problem with this show from the audience viewpoint is that after all the snacks and the band concert before the show, we sit down for a 2-hour plus 15-minute show with one 15-minute intermission.
But “La Havana Madrid” is like nothing you’ve seen before. It’s worth it just for that.
The details
“La Havana Madrid” runs through April 27, 2025 at New Village Arts, 2787 State Street in Carlsbad.
Shows Wednesday at 2 p.m.; Thursday and Friday at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday at 2 and 7:30 p.m.; Sunday at noon.
For tickets call (760) 433-3245