Seattle's Child

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Paige Hernandez in Havana Hop! - All photos by Jack Roman

SCT presents a jubilant dance and song with “Havana Hop”

A one-woman explosion of song, dance and storytelling

Seattle Children’s Theatre presents “Havana Hop”, a one-woman explosion of song, dance and storytelling. Currently running through November 16, this intimate production, by SCT’s former Artistic Resident Paige Hernandez, is the perfect introduction to live theater for the littlest eyes and ears who will be entertained by this interactive journey to new cultures and ways of expressing oneself.

Synopsis

Performed in the smaller, less intimidating Eve Alvord Theatre, “Havana Hop” tells the story of a young woman named Yeila (Hernandez). She is an aspiring hip-hop dancer who goes outside her comfort zone to audition in Washington, D.C., for the National Cherry Blossom Festival. The event honors the bond between America and Japan, but the festival has come to represent so much more.

Her audition gets her a spot on the big stage, but the organizers encourage her to find something unique about herself and her dancing that will set her apart. This inspires the young artist to dive deep into herself to “find her roots.” She returns to her family home, where her mother has some difficult news: Yeila’s abuela is suffering from dementia. They must return to Cuba to spend time with her while they can.

Yeila has never been to Cuba, nor does she know anything about the small island country with a big personality. This sends the curious girl on a journey to discover her heritage, from Cuban food to vibrant music to iconic salsa dancing, which will influence her new, enlightened performance style. Yeila must bring these parts of her culture back to take the competition by storm. She ends the show as a proud Cuban-American.

Cultural immersion

What I found most admirable about this production is its focus on introducing audiences of all ages to a culture they likely don’t know well. Instead of overloading the story with facts or information, “Havana Hop” organically incorporates the culture through a sweet, palatable journey that kids as young as two will have no problem following. Some of the Spanish words may be foreign, but everyone is encouraged to hear them come out of their own mouths.

Most shows at SCT often entail extensive production designs and intricate backdrops. Hernandez tells the hour-long story with just the help of a projector, a screen, a pair of fake glasses, and a scarf. The screen and its moving images allow the story to travel through the streets of Havana. Yeila’s initial internet search showcases the bright colors and iconic images that adults will recognize. But the characters – Yeila, her mother, and her grandmother – tell the country’s story: the love and bond of family reign supreme.

There may be some questions about Alzheimer’s when Yeila’s abuela demonstrates the telltale symptoms of the disease, namely not remembering faces and being generally frightened. But the story’s main message is about learning from the past generations in our own family and asking questions about who and where we come from, which are wonderful diving boards for thoughtful and important conversations in our own homes. Hernandez puts great faith in her young audience, never talking down to them but opening a pathway by which they will understand big concepts and more sophisticated ways of looking at the world.

Havana Hop: An interactive romp

I brought both of my girls with me to this show. My 6-year-old, who has generally adored the productions geared towards older kids, like “Cat Kid Comic Club” and “Luchadora,” was somewhat underwhelmed by the production, perhaps because she is so accustomed to the big set pieces and multi-character storytelling.

My 4-year-old, however, had a ball standing and dancing along to Hernandez’s jubilant performance. Her enthusiasm and incorporation of dance moves sold the show to the smallest viewers. She speaks directly to the audience and even calls out for answers, to which the little hands raised in eager excitement are proof of her command over the audience.

Many families with toddlers and even littler babies were in attendance, happy to bounce on laps and take in the non-threatening story. There is not much that could scare young viewers. There are no strobe lights or intimidating props. Hernandez takes on the characters of her mother and her Abuela, but only for a few moments. Much of the story is left to the viewer’s imagination, and it was an honor to share Yeila’s (and Hernandez’s) story for a joyous, dance-filled hour.

Know before you go

• The show runs through November 16, with a variety of showtimes spanning the morning and evening.
• Runtime is approximately 60 minutes without an intermission.
• The ASL Interpreted Performance is Saturday, November 16 at 1:00 p.m.
• The Access/Audio Described Performance is Sunday, November 10 at 2:00 p.m.
• The Sensory Sensitive Performance is Sunday, October 27 at 10:30 a.m.
Seattle Children’s Theatre is located at 201 Thomas Street, Seattle 98109
• Garage and street parking are available with payment. Give yourself ample time if there is an event at Climate Pledge Arena.
• Seattle Children’s Theatre is running at full capacity.

About the Author

Candice McMillan

Candice McMillan has been writing about film for more than 10 years. Since becoming a mom to her two daughters, she’s had to hang up her affinity for horror films, catering to the two smallest critics who prefer shows about rescue dogs and a family of pigs. Candice has degrees in journalism and film critical studies from USC, and her favorite children’s film is a toss-up between “Anastasia” and “A Goofy Movie.”