Waiting for Snow in Havana: A New Musical

Fundraising campaign: Fall 2023 Developmental Reading

All donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.

What is Waiting for Snow in Havana: A New Musical?

Based on professor and author Carlos Eire’s acclaimed memoir: “Waiting for Snow in Havana” (Winner of the U.S. National Book Award for Nonfiction in 2003) which has been translated into over a dozen languages, Waiting for Snow in Havana: A New Musical is the story of a Cuban boy who fled to the United States without his parents in 1962 as one of over 14,000 unaccompanied Cuban children via an underground operation, later known as Operation Pedro Pan.

Bringing this story to life is an AWARD-WINNING, ALL-LATINO CREATIVE TEAM

Director/Choreographer: Sergio Trujillo
Book Writer: Karen Zacarías
Composer/Co-lyricist: Benjamin Velez
Co-lyricist: Richard Blanco

And lead produced by Maria Elena de la Noval

Join us in helping bring Waiting for Snow in Havana to Broadway!

Synopsis

When the musical begins, we meet Carlos Eire, (a Yale professor in his 50’s) and his child self, (8-year-old) Carlitos. The adult Carlos is our storyteller, he engages us into his past as he weaves in and out of scenes recollecting his childhood during a tumultuous time in Cuba. Set in 1958 Havana, Carlos and his older brother, Tony, enjoy the beauty and mischief of their privileged childhood life in the paradise island. The boys attend an elite private school run by Christian Brothers.

Judge Antonio Nieto, Carlos’ father is a man of distinct character who believes in justice and order and is an aficionado of art and classical music who also believes in past lives; one of those prior incarnations being the late king of France, Louis the 16th Judge Nieto does not know that his life is about to change again. Carlos’ Mother, Maria Azucena (known as Marie Antoinette to Judge Nieto), had polio at a young age and walks with a limp but she is strong and brave, willing to take risks to make sure Carlos and Tony are protected from the political storm that is brewing on the island.

Armando, Carlos’ cousin is in love with Miranda, a cabaret singer. Both are young and have dreams of a new Cuba hungry for a chance at democracy. They belong to an underground movement ready to depose Cuba’s dictator, President Fulgencio Batista, as they await the arrival of a young promising rebel named Fidel Castro.

On New Year’s Eve 1958-59, Carlos and his family attend an opulent and outlandish birthday party for Carlos’ school friend whose nickname is “Sugar Boy” because he’s the son of a sugar cane magnate. While at the party, news around the island confirm that President Batista has fled Cuba. Many on the island, including Miranda and Armando, celebrate the victory of the triumphant arrival of their new leader Fidel Castro, who they believe will usher in a new era of justice and democracy for the Cuban people.

However, soon after taking power, Fidel’s promises turn into condemnation and oppression. The Cuba of Carlos’ youth disintegrates and one by one Carlos’ schoolmates begin to disappear, spirited away to the United States. Under the tense political environment Carlos’ parents cannot agree on whether the family should stay or leave Cuba. Judge Nieto refuses to part from his art collection and his beautiful home. Carlos’ mother is faced with the toughest decision of her life to not lose her sons to the indoctrination of the new totalitarian regime and with great tenacity finds a way to send the boys to the United States with the intention of joining them soon after.

In 1962, Carlos and Tony became one of over 14,000 children airlifted out of Havana—exiled from their family, their country, and their own childhood. This underground exodus was later known as Operation Pedro Pan.

With a soaring musical score, visual verve, and biting Cuban wit, WAITING FOR SNOW IN HAVANA examines the complexity of family relationships and struggles during a turbulent revolution that fractured so many lives. Carlos reconciles with his past understanding that having said goodbye does not mean losing what you love, and that forgiveness and faith is the beginning of acceptance.

Creative Team

KAREN ZACARÍAS
PLAYWRIGHT

“One of the Most Produced Playwrights in the U.S.”
American Theater Magazine

http://www.karenzacarias.com/

Karen speaks at TED TALK Broadway November, 2019

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5p13ZW7nhsg

SERGIO TRUJILLO
DIRECTOR - CHOREOGRAPHER

2019 Tony Award for Best Choreography “Ain’t Too Proud”

https://sergiotrujillo.com/

BENJAMIN VELEZ
COMPOSER / CO-LYRICIST

2020 Jonathan Larson Grant Recipient
2019 Fred Ebb Award
Other works include "Real Women Have Curves: The Musical" (with Sergio Trujillo) and "Kiss My Aztec" with John Leguizamo

https://www.benjaminvelez.com/

RICHARD BLANCO
CO-LYRICIST

2013 Presidential Inaugural Poet for Barack Obama

2015 Lambda Literary Award for Memoir

2022 Miami Dade County's First-Ever Poet Laureate

2023 National Humanities Medal

Richard reads his poem at President Obama’s Inauguration

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AkSRy8SGTEE

https://richard-blanco.com/

MARIA ELENA DE LA NOVAL
PRODUCER
35 years in TV, Film, Radio and Integrated Media

"As one of the few Latina women to produce a musical for the Broadway stage, it was meaningful to me to choose a story that was close to my heart. It was also significantly important that I assemble an all-Latino creative team who shared a common identity and understood the importance of our cultural nuances. I’m proud to present this beautiful story and the impressive, talented creative team who will bring it to life."

Fiscally sponsored by the Latiné Musical Theatre Lab, a home for developing and advocating for new works of Latiné-written musicals in order to radically change who gets to tell stories on stages across the country and the world. www.latinemtlab.org

Please help us bring this team's vision of this thrilling, important, and timely story to life. All donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law. If you'd prefer to donate via personal check, please email info@latinemtlab.org.

Waiting for Snow in Havana: A New Musical

By The Latiné Musical Theatre Lab

Waiting for Snow in Havana: A New Musical