Portland’s Broadway-scale World Premiere
Cuba Libre
October 3 - November 16, 2015
Portland’5 Winningstad Theatre
Featuring Music by Tiempo Libre
Book by Carlos Lacámara
Music & Lyrics by Jorge Gómez
Choreography by Maija Garcia
Directed by Dámaso Rodríguez
The irresistible rhythms of Cuban music drive this riveting, universal story of a man caught between countries, losses and loves, and his search for freedom. Set in America and Cuba, this timely tale reverberates across politics, ambition and romance with quick-witted dialogue, joy-filled dance and Latin-fusion beats.
This Broadway-scale, contemporary musical features the internationally acclaimed, three-time Grammy-nominated band Tiempo Libre with a company of 21 actors, dancers and musicians in a not-to-be-missed theatrical event.
Portland Area Musical Theatre Awards
Outstanding Original Musical – Artists Repertory Theatre
Outstanding Original Score – Jorge Gómez
Outstanding Choreography – Majia Garcia
Oregon Public Broadcasting’s program Oregon Art Beat has been documenting the making of Cuba Libre since October, 2014.
Part 1: WATCH HERE
Part 2: WATCH HERE
30-minute TV documentary: WATCH HERE
Press
“…to anyone with a pulse, it is irresistibly appealing.”
“…packed with 18 exhilarating musical numbers, performed by the high-octane Cuban band Tiempo Libre (whose engaging members also play small roles), a cadre of potent and ingratiating singer/actors, and thrilling dances by Cuban-American choreographer Maija Garcia (who was Bill T. Jones’ associate choreographer for Broadway’s Afro-beat wonder Fela!).”
“The music — oh wow the music! It’s high-energy Latin-beat-filled awesomeness. Tiempo Libre is onstage doing their thing through the whole show. You will be dancing in your seat (and if you can get there fast enough, on stage at the end). The dancing — double-wow!”
“Cuba Libre brought every inch of the intimate Winningstad Theatre alive with music, with dance, with laughter and with tears.”
“…more than a Tiempo Libre concert: It’s a reminder of the power of music to transcend pain, and a warning not to use escape as an excuse to forget.”
“Timba! That crazy, syncopated rhythm coming from a high-energy, kick-ass band on stage for the whole show is worth the ticket price alone.”
“I’d see Cuba Libre again, to feast my eyes on Maija Garcia’s intricate, gleeful choreography.”
“…Cuba Libre already has the advantage of sharp direction and choreography, spiffy design and projections, exhilarating dancing, incendiary music and, crucially, crack timing: a musical about Cuban emigres to America arriving at a time when emigration is the hottest national political topic and the President has finally begun normalizing relations with Cuba.”
“…romantic interest, hustle, love and death–everything one needs for a great musical.”
“Theater is thriving in Oregon, and New York is paying attention”
“Passionate! Energetic! Historic! Viva, Cuba Libre!”
“…like a supermoon lunar eclipse, the chance to catch a Broadway-bound musical in Portland — and one with so much heart and promise — is a must-see.”
“Tiempo Libre & Artists Repertory Premiere Cuban-Infused Musical ‘Cuba Libre’ in Portland.”
“With the momentum of an island storm gathering intensity as it makes its way to port, the Caribbean-flavored, Portland-created original musical “Cuba Libre” promises to be the show to beat this season.”
“Directed by Artists Repertory Theatre’s artistic director, Dámaso Rodríguez, the bilingual world premiere tells the story of a fictional musician struggling through life during Cuba’s “Special Period”—Castro’s name for the era of economic desperation in his country after the Soviet Union fell. But it’s more than fiction for the show’s many collaborators.”
“A group of Cuban American talent—a musician, a producer, a director, a writer, a choreographer, and an actor—bring the story of Jorge Gómez to the Portland stage.”
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