Nilo Cruz Joins Team of Asolo Rep's HAMLET, PRINCE OF CUBA

Cuban-American playwright and winner of the 2003 Pulitzer Prize in Drama, Nilo Cruz has joined the creative team of Asolo Rep's Hamlet, Prince of Cuba to translate the play into Spanish. Cruz's 2002 play, Anna in the Tropics, was the recipient of The Pulitzer Prize, The Steinberg Award and two Tony nominations. Playwright Eduardo Machado (The Cook, Havana is Waiting, HBO's Hung) was originally commissioned to work on the script; however, due to changes in the nature of the project as well as commitments to other work, Mr. Machado had chosen to step away from the production.

Cruz will be joining Asolo's artistic director, Michael Donald Edwards, to bring Hamlet, Prince of Cuba to Sarasota and Miami audiences in English and Spanish. Edwards and Cruz previously collaborated on last year's hit production Hurricane, which premiered at the Ringling International Arts Festival. Cruz is no stranger to Florida, having grown up in Miami and even set Anna in the Tropics in Ybor City, a section of the Tampa Bay area. "Nilo is not only a wonderful artist and human being, but it is thrilling for me to further develop our collaboration after such an exciting one on Hurricane. His connection to Miami, Tampa Bay and Florida is going to bring a highly valued perspective to this thrilling project," said Edwards.

Known as one of the nation's most produced Cuban-American writers, Cruz's work has been performed around the country at McCarter Theatre Center, Studio Theatre (Washington D.C.), Victory Gardens (Chicago), Lee Strasberg Theatre (Los Angeles) and NYSF/Public Theatre, among many. Cruz has held residencies at the McCarter, the Public and the New Theatre in Coral Gables, Florida where Anna in the Tropics premiered in 2002.

Cruz will join a long list of celebrated artists to work at Asolo Rep. Now in its 53rd season; Asolo Rep continues to bring Sarasota audiences national talent and Broadway quality performances. Hamlet, Prince of Cuba promises to captivate theatregoers and will hold Asolo Rep to its standard of "Florida's Premiere Professional Theatre." Hamlet, Prince of Cuba will open March 23 and run during the rep season until May 6. The production will also be traveling to South Miami-Dade Cultural Center after its run concludes at Asolo Rep. Tickets are available online or by calling 941.351.8000.

Asolo Theatre, Inc. (AKA: Asolo Repertory Theatre) is funded in part by the National Endowment for the Arts, the State of Florida, Department of State,Division of Cultural Affairs, and is paid for in part by Sarasota County Tourist Development Tax revenues, the Gulf Coast Community Foundation of Venice and the Shubert Foundation, Inc. Funding is also received through the efforts of various support groups and the generosity of individuals, corporations and foundations.

 

 

Photo Credit: Peter James Zielinski