Details
The Vortex Theatre at
the National Hispanic Cultural Center
Item details
Date
Thursday, April 3, 2025 7:30PM
Location
National Hispanic Cultural Ctr
Name
*Preview Night* Lion Island: Cuba’s Warrior of Words
,Notes
NHCC | Bank of America Theatre
The NHCC and our friends and partners at the Vortex Theatre invite you to experience a captivating original play adapted from Margarita Engle’s award-winning young adult novel in verse, Lion Island: Cuba’s Warrior of Words.
Set in 1870s Cuba, this powerful story delves into the complexities of racial, ethnic, linguistic, and national identities. Through dynamic elements of dance, puppetry, and music, the play explores the historical forces—diaspora, colonialism, immigration, and the transatlantic slave trade—that have shaped Hispanic/Latine identity.
Local playwright Patricia Crespín brings the story to life, centering the historical figure Antonio Chuffat, a young man of Chinese, African, and Cuban descent. Working as a messenger in Cuban fields and navigating a tense colonial world, Antonio discovers the power of words to advocate for the rights and dignity of laborers in his community.
Join us for this intergenerational production that invites audiences to reflect on identity, resilience, and the enduring struggle for justice and belonging.
Preview Night Special Price: $5 for everyone