The setting is a Chicago nightclub called La Havana Madrid, where a talented cast of Equity actors and a boffo salsa band of five sing, flirt, talk, dance, and toward the end ask for audience participation.
Sandra Delgado, the play’s author, plays the show’s emcee and main character – La Havana Madrid – dressed in a succession of filmy, feminine dresses.
Much of the script is in Spanish. My Spanish is fairly rudimentary, so I can speak mainly for the look and sound rather than the content of the dialogue.
The other cast members – actors Maria Jimena Gastelum, Eduardo Enrikez, Marlene Martinez, Luis Herrera, Roberto Antonio Martin, Cruz Gonzalez-Cadel and Tristan Turner – play multiple roles, singing, dancing, reminiscing, sometimes smooching and generally having a wonderful time in the club. It’s just nice to watch performers obviously enjoying themselves.
Kudos to choreographer Janey Martinez, who gives the show a definite LatinX look and the dancers seem to be have a great time with her creations.
The band swings and sways with the LatinX beat of musicians Nestor Gonzalez (percussion), trombonist Carol Macpherson, Bass player Roberto Marin, and keyboardist Carlos Ordiano, who keep that beat going, directed by Music director Roberto “Carpacho” Marin.
Let’s not forget Jeff Polunas and his sterling sound design.
And hey, just before it was all over, we looked up and saw the gorgeous silver slipper of a moon smiling down on us.
How much better could it get?
The details
“La Havana Madrid” runs through August 4, 2023 in the courtyard of the San Juan Capistrano Mission, 26801 Old Mission Road in San Juan Capistrano.
Shows at 7:30 each night. Outside, so bring warm clothes.
For information and tickets: https://www.scr.org/plays/productions/22-23 season/la-havana-madrid/
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