I acquired this play by Cuban American author Nilo Cruz (2003 Pulitzer Prize for Drama) after a recent visit to Tampa, Florida, where I discovered the fascinating history of the cigar manufacturing that flourished there after Spanish Vicente Martínez Ybor founded Ybor City in 1885. The industry attracted thousands of Cuban, Spanish and Italian immigrants, and José Martí delivered passionate speeches there that influenced US intervention in favor of Cuban Independence. In 1929, when Cruz’s play takes place, 500,000,000 cigars were rolled in Ybor City by workers while they listened to lectores read from daily newspaper and great works of literature. The Anna of the title is none other than the protagonist of Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina, with which a lector from Havana fills the imagination of the play’s main characters. I cannot think of a more interesting context to reflect literature’s capacity to touch people’s hearts and minds.
A touching review. And it really makes a person want to read it. Greg Stowe
Thank you, Elena. This sounds intriguing. I’ll definitely add it to my list!
Judy Montgomery