Juan Lennon: Havana-Miami-Havana
Scene from “The History of Juan Lennon”. (Photo courtesy of Pepe Piñeyro)
By Aurelio Pedroso
HAVANA – A theater production, written and staged in Miami, has returned to Havana and delves into the deeps of many now in their fifties and sixties, who in their youth lived the rock era with a passion and under very awkward circumstances, limitations and misunderstandings. I am referring to La historia de Juan Lennon (The History of Juan Lennon), by Jose “Pepe” Piñeyro, directed by Enriquito Nuñez Rodriguez and staged by actors residing on the island under the umbrella of a theater group whose name seems promising: Theater of Two Shores.
As a first step and for our readers who did not know of the play when it premiered in Miami in 2009, it deals with a Marielito ex-con rocker pressured to leave Cuba, and whose last wish was that his ashes rest around the statue of ex-Beatle John Lennon at the park that carries his name in the Vedado neighborhood of Havana. A wish carried out by his widow.
Secondly, I must warn you that in no way should you expect a specialized critique. It’s neither my intention nor am I competent to do that. I leave that to other colleagues.
Rain or shine, since the beginning of last month, “The History of Juan Lennon” has played to packed houses of young and the not so young alike at the Bertolt Brecht Café-Theater. Capacity: 100 persons. Price of admission: 10 Cuban pesos. The brochure is free.
The play merits recognition and hopefully sets the tone for future actions such as this one and of other varieties. And if it’s through the theater the better because if there is something both shores can be proud of – since in the end we are both the same – is that good theater in its many varieties we came to share with those disorderly Saturday nights in search of rock and roll. Very distinctive traits of our generation which included: days spent at the movies, the Studio Theater at the Hubert de Blanck Hall, symphonic concerts at the Amadeo Roldan, the beach on 16th, good literature, Lee jeans for a few, plenty of pizza and spaghetti… and rock.
Along these paths must move the controversial cultural exchange between both countries, emphasizing the value of the meeting of artists born in the same place. It is timely to mention those who, like filmmaker Fernando Pérez (“The Canary’s Eye” and “Suite Havana”), who contributed in bringing the play to the island. Even such hermetic institutions as Cuban customs and the Aeronautics Department collaborated with the well-acted image of the widow arriving with Juan’s ashes inside a box of corn flakes.
Deserving a mention of honor are the two actors of “The History of Juan Lennon.” Mariela Bejerano and Michel Labarta have what it takes to reach each and every spectator, making them laugh and smile, but also allowing a tear or a sigh to flow as the music of “Beatlemania” is woven along with a message of hope towards a better ending. That’s what the past is for. Not to be used to bear grudges till the day we die where the present and future are at stake.
I chanced upon an exclusive Internet exchange with Pepe Piñeyro and asked his opinion about the full houses they are experiencing.
“I have wondered why myself,” he told me. “And I would guess that there are several possible reasons: we have the Miami issue; the live Beatles music being performed by very young musicians; then there are the actors who are both talented and popular; and probably those who’ve seen it and recommend it. Over here I have only received positive feedback and praise…”
I couldn’t stop observing the actors and audience at the end of the play. The emotion shown by Mariela and Michel, as much as that of the rest of the group, was not theatrical. Without much thought I can imagine that many a Juan in the audience that evening had not decided to leave through Mariel. Let it be.
