Mariana Da Silva's Ybor City will play The Actors' Gang in Culver City beginning February 27 prior to an official opening March 1.
Also directed by the playwright, performances will continue through April 5. The production, which marks The Actors’ Gang's first fully bilingual play, will feature Da Silva as Nena, founding member Brent Hinkley (The Silence of the Lambs, Jacob’s Ladder) as Doc, Miguel Angel Garcia (Jenni, The Long Game) as Jose, Raiza Licea as Carla, Magali Shukar as La Cantante, Megan Stogner as Meg, Jolene Hjerleid as Jacquie, Luis Quintana as Eddie, Rich Loya as Toni, Marcelina Valenzuela as Yari, Dora Kiss as Dora, Jimmy Berry and Christian Skinner as Johndo, and Andres Velez as Santos.
The new play spotlights the Florida
town that became a key hub for cigar production at the turn of the
century, attracting a vibrant community of diverse immigrants, including
Cubans, Italians, and Spaniards. In the heart of Ybor City, a mysterious entity begins
to influence the Reader system used in the factories, leading to
the education of workers and rising tensions. After a
shocking death in one of the factories, Nena, a grieving employee,
emerges as the first female reader and reluctant leader of a
revolutionary movement.
The play, under the guidance of Oscar-winning Artistic Director Tim Robbins, features narratives in both English and Spanish. The 90-minute production will also have music, movement, projections, and language,
enhanced by popular Latin songs and bilingual supertitles.
Playwright-director Da Silva said in a statement, “I’m thrilled to bring Ybor City back as a full production. It’s been such a rewarding journey to embrace the evolution of this show, allowing it to find its fullest expression. I’m deeply grateful to this amazing cast. Together, we’re constantly discovering new layers of meaning, and that process feels like alchemy. I’m also incredibly fortunate to have a mentor in Tim, whose guidance has shown me that the art of theatre is truly communal—a shared experience that grows and transforms with every moment.”
Added Robbins, “After the success of last year's workshop, it’s been incredible to see Ybor City evolve and develop even further as a truly original piece of theatre. This new approach immerses the audience in a world where movement and language collide, transcending cultural and linguistic barriers. The story of the Lector reading works like Don Quixote and Tolstoy to the workers, highlights the profound impact that literature can have on people’s lives. The play is a vibrant exploration of a dynamic culture, mixing historical drama, magical realism, and revolutionary passion. It’s been a great experience working with Mariana to develop this further, and it aligns beautifully with The Actors’ Gang’s mission. We’re especially proud of the diverse and talented cast, who reflect the true spirit of community and creativity at the heart of our company.”
The production will also have projection design by Cihan Bilal, designs by Virginia Finney, and lighting by Bosco Flanagan.
On March 2, The Actor’s Gang will present Ybor City to the students of Boyle Heights High School. On March 9, Border Kindness—an organization that provides food, shelter, clothing, medical care, and legal assistance to asylum seekers, migrants, refugees, and the displaced—will host a performance.
Visit TheActorsGang.com.
