Cuba and His Teddy Bear

I saw a relatively unknown, well played production of Reinaldo Pavod's Cuba and His Teddy Bear.  Performed at the Underground Theater off Wilton and Sunset by The Actors Collective as their first company production.  If you are unfamiliar with The Actors Collective, they are a group who connect actors directly with agents and some of Hollywood's top casting directors, producers and filmmakers.  Through workshops, the actor can present a scene and pass reels, postcards. ect... directly to established industry folks.  Establishing a relationship with the people who can ultimately get you work, will save you money in mass mailings and start a one on one relationship with them.

The play was explosive and one I still think about. Set in New York's Lower East Side in the 80's with typical father son themes in a not so typical situation.  Diving into the life of a small time drug dealer, his creative son and the battles they have with one other and their own selves.  Cuba played by Brian Burke counters his threatening aggressive tactics with a sincere tenderness toward the well being of his son, played by Dave Alfano.  The intensity of the play was relieved by Cuba's sidekick Jackie. Kyle T. Heffner as Jackie was superb, with all of his one liners repeated throughout the play, we would all have been on the floor crying if we didn't have his comedy.  With 2 pounds of pot on the line, Teddy joins the family business by wanting to distribute the pot through his new friend a Tony award winning playwright and well known heroin junkie.  The idea does not sit well with Cuba and through the transaction secrets are reviled and so is the shame.  Love for his son prevails and you are left with a feeling of compassion for this family.  It reminds us that we are all only human, but when you really love, it can do no wrong.

The play ran one weekend as a preview, but look forward to a five week run after the New Year.  I will keep you all posted, it is a must see.  Plus check out The Actors Collective if you want to get connected.

www.actorscollective.com