My overall impression
What a tour de force Mimi is! The heart of this piece is so poignant. Everything was said in the first few minutes when the background sound changed. From the sounds of the streets of New York, to …. the ocean. Immediately your heart went where her heart was…back to Cuba.
And then the magic begins. As she finds herself thrown through a dream mirror back into Cuba. The full force of the culture is upon us, with incredible dancing, and singing, and the unfoldment of an intense drama of how she can get back to New York again.
You are never bored. Your mind never wanders. You are totally caught up in the drama and in the characters she meets and interacts with. These characters are still played by Mimi. The interchanges are dynamic, sometimes as fast as lightening, yet you are never confused. The body language, the voice of the other character is fully expressed, and Mimi never leaves her own self. It is amazing to watch. Also amazing is how she can start with 2 people — one speaking English, one Spanish and then a few minutes later the Spanish speaking person will once in a while use an English word to help someone (non Spanish speaking) like me to better understand. That was a beautiful subtle gift. Yet I always did understand. She presented it as if the language was no barrier. So for me, the language was no barrier.
Mimi Davila is not only a very talented actress and writer, but is blessed (our lucky day) with a beautiful mezzo voice, a great talent for the dance, and a natural beauty.
Here is someone doing what she is born to do, and doing it with such love and focus that the rest of us walk out changed. She takes us with her into Cuba and the Cuban experience without a political agenda. She takes us to Cuba with reverence and love.
Thank you Mimi. This is my favorite Fringe show to date.
