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CUBA!
In Brief: The 'Tropicana Nightclub' is swaying to the beat of the Samba, the Rumba and voice of Mercedes, against the backdrop of the Cuban revolution. 

Music:

Rhonda Micola

Lyrics:

Ken Cotterill

Book:

Ken Cotterill
Additional Writing Credits: Jerry Micola, Chris Snelling

Original Direction:

Ken Cotterill (Director)

Rhonda Micola (Musical Director)
Jan Sloan (Choreograhper)

Cast Size:

14M, 15F, Ensemble: 25 (Mixed) [Suggested]

Music Requirements:

Concert Band

Ideal For:

- Community Theatres
- High Schools
- Large-scale Productions

- Regional Theatres

Synopsis:

It is 1958, Havana, Cuba.  The 'Tropicana Nightclub' is swaying to the beat of the Samba, the Rumba and the voice of Mercedes, the club's talented young singer.  Mercedes is about to be married to Raul, a young boxer and co-worker, but when Mafia hood Tony Roselli wants Raul to throw a fight, Raul hits Tony instead. Roselli puts a contract on Raul, who flees Havana. 

Far from Havana, in the Sierra Maestra mountains a rebel army under Fidel Castro is gaining ground on the corrupt government of President Fulgencio Batista.  Raul joins the rebel army and meets the volatile Juanita.  Soon, he is torn between his love of Mercedes and his growing fascination for Juanita.

Meanwhile, Mercedes has gone with Tony to Las Vegas to further her singing career.  But Tony's promise to make her a star is a hollow one.  Soon, she wants to come back to Havana just as the rebel army, along with Raul and Juanita, crash down on Havana and overthrow Batista.

Credentials:

  

Premiere:

 10/10/2002 - Atherton International Club, Atherton, Queensland

Selected Quotes:
"I came away with memories of some gripping scenes: the delightfully dotty CIA agents; black suited hoodlums; the dramatic entry of the triumphant revolutionaries; the moving death of a young girl rebel..." - (Arts Nexus Magazine)
 
"The story was an absolute classic of fact and fiction. It had it all! To the director and author we say great story, an absolute hit! To the musical director and writer of the musical score: your talent reaches beyond the stars!"  (Letter to the Editor - Cairns Post)
 
"I would like to congratulate everyone concerned with the musical production Cuba! It goes to show that creative talent and high artistic quality do not necessarily have to emanate from the big cities." - (Letter to the Editor - The Tablelander)

Performance Availability:

Available

Contact:

 cuba@australianmusicals.com

Liscencing enquiries:
Ken Cotterill
10 Caterina Close
Mareeba, QLD 4880

WWW.AUSTRALIANMUSICALS.COM