Cuban Theater Group Forced to Cancel Performances in USA

The Cuban group Ludi Teatro will cancel its performance at the 1st International Festival of Latin American Theater in Chicago, because it was not granted a visa to travel to the United States, said today the Ministry of Culture.

As a result of the recent changes in the bilateral relations, set up by Donald Trump's administration, the process of getting a visa for Cuban actors has become an impossible challenge, as described by executive director of the festival Myrna Salazar.

'We did everything possible to get the visas, but the changes were unexpected, and make impossible the entry of that theater group to the country, being one of the most outstanding performances scheduled for the festival, to be held this month,' she said.

Salazar also ratified that the performances by Ludi Teatro's 'El Espejo', scheduled for October 19th to 22nd will be canceled and stated that the cost of the tickets will be returned.

'El Espejo', directed by Maria de Los Angeles Montero Tamayo, is inspired by 'El Peine y el Espejo', written in 1956 by Cuban playwright and theater critic Abelardo Estorino, which deals with issues such as machismo, gender-based violence, family and religion.

The performance of 'El Espejo' was canceled 'with much regret,' said the statement issued by the Cuban Ministry of Culture, while the Steppenwolf theater room in Chicago will remain without a program during the days scheduled for the play.

Groups from Mexico, Colombia and Puerto Rico, as well as plays from New York, Los Angeles and local groups are scheduled for the festival of Chicago.