Anna In the Tropics

Anna in the Tropics by Nilo Cruz

Directed by Kelly Hilliard Roush

Playing February 7-March 1, 2020

Nilo Cruz’s Pulitzer Prize-winning drama is set in 1929 Florida in a Cuban-American cigar factory, where cigars are still rolled by hand, and “lectors” are employed to educate and entertain the workers. The lector reads Anna Karenina as the play delves into desire, power, rivalry, secrets and love. As the lives of a Cuban immigrant family begins to intertwine with the scandalous lives of Tolstoy’s characters, we ask what
do we need to feel loved and alive?

Press

Though she loved Cruz’s poetic language – that reminded some reviewers of Chekhov – it also represented “a challenge for us,” noted the director. “A play is about action. The language is beautiful but we can’t be too precious about it. What happens (in the play) is not a slow poem; it’s a whirlwind… everybody is fighting for their life.”

- Pulitzer-winning “Anna in the Tropics” at the Classic Theater Read More

(To Josey and Joshua): Are you finding things within yourselves to put into your characters? Josey: It’s funny. There’s a scene in which Marela writes a name and puts it in a glass of water to almost conjure somebody. I’m not at that level yet, but I do love coincidences; I do love serendipity. I think I resonate with Marela a lot in that I believe in people’s dreams. They should believe in themselves and they should believe in each other. Naturally connecting with Marela in her dreamy, feisty self hasn’t been that much of a challenge!

- The Classic Theatre Talks ‘Anna in the Tropics’ Read More