Four Reasons to See “La Havana Madrid”

La Havana Madrid by Sandra Delgado begins performances this Saturday, July 15 and runs through Aug. 4 at the historic Mission San Juan Capistrano. Reserved seats for several performances are selling fast, so we suggest you buy now.

With that, we’re counting down four reasons why La Havana Madrid is a must see.

1. The Music. You start off hearing the pure sounds of the cha-cha and the mambo, the Latin big-band sounds of the 1950s and early 1960s. From there, Delgado and the La Havana Madrid band take you through the 1960s, when Cuban immigrants invented salsa in the United States. In addition to the Latin favorites, the show also includes original songs from composer Cristian Amigo. All of it combines to provide a musical experience that cuts across generations. “It’s really about in what ways do you stay the same and in what ways do you change?” Delgado said.
2. The Story. Delgado said La Havana Madrid is “about people moving, people crossing borders and the music doing the same thing.” Her touching story about immigrants finding their place in mid-20^th century America through music and community not only captures a transitional moment, time and place, but does so in a manner that resonates with all Americans of all generations. It’s the story of people trying to find their place in the world, people looking for belonging and community.
3. The Setting. Unique. You’re seeing theatre outdoors in a 250-year-old historic venue on a beautiful summer evening. No other theatre experience in Southern California offers the perfect combination of world-class theatre under the stars set in a famous historical landmark.
4. The Experience. In a word—fun. In another word—captivating. Delgado said when La Havana Madrid opened in Chicago, “I knew we were onto something when we sold out Steppenwolf (Theatre) during rehearsals. … I was like ‘What’s happening?’ When the production moved to the Goodman—another one of Chicago’s largest theatres—Delgado said people were coming to “two, three, four, five performances, and each time, bringing someone new.” It is an immersive, enjoyable experience that transports you to a 1960s nightclub for a festive night out. Just like the patrons of La Havana Madrid.