Review by anonymous
June 17, 2016What I liked
A love story with many twists, set against an historical background, with many themes to examine, could become a hotch potch of ideas that never quite play out. But writer Odalys Nanin’s fast paced story telling is economic and truthful and makes a great evening’s entertainment. The central same sex relationship between Amelia and Isabel (Nanin herself and Katarina Radivojevic) is tempestuous and troublesome, but the performances are assured and we care about these two ladies and their destiny from the time they are reunited after twenty years of separation due to Castro’s reshaping of Cuba. There is much fun and poignancy to be had in the flashback sequences where we see the relationship’s innocent beginnings with two great performances by Omnia Bixler and Alexandra Evankovich as Amelia and Isabel as teenagers. Their blossoming love is soon curtailed when Amelia’s father, a strong anti-Castro voice, orders the family to quit their home and set sail for the US. A powerful performance from Dennis Delsing as the Dad reminds us of the terrible situation faced by many Cuban families in 1960. The rest of the company include Andres Mejia Vallejo/Joseph Arzuaga as the transgender Yani providing very funny moments when being pursued by Bayardo de Murguia as Victor, the chief of police and Eddy G. Munoz as the charismatic Fidel Castro himself. Will love conquer all? Without giving away the conclusion of the tale, let’s just say this is an uplifting and positive play, despite the troubles depicted therein.
What I didn't like
The story concludes quite rapidly resulting in a fairly short second act. But that doesn’t spoil the play.
My overall impression
A touching, often funny, story of love against the odds.
