Ybor City by Anita Gonzalez

An immersive musical about the rise of unionism and the healing of racial divides in 1918 Tampa. Aspiring activist Luisa brings us to Ybor City where factory workers labor under harsh work conditions. Catalino seeks to organize a union, while Afro-Cuban Pedro struggles for acceptance by the white Cuban community. Catalino's sister Teresa longs to bring her songs to the world and when a stranger comes to...
An immersive musical about the rise of unionism and the healing of racial divides in 1918 Tampa. Aspiring activist Luisa brings us to Ybor City where factory workers labor under harsh work conditions. Catalino seeks to organize a union, while Afro-Cuban Pedro struggles for acceptance by the white Cuban community. Catalino's sister Teresa longs to bring her songs to the world and when a stranger comes to town, he offers new possibilities. Then, violence erupts. Pedro and his wife Irina don't know what side to take. The community must bond to effectively fight for decent working conditions for all.
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Ybor City

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CHARACTERS

RAFAEL Jimenez 28-year old cigar roller, self-possessed and multi-lingual.

TERESA Torres 23-year old tobacco stripper, reserved and passionate, she dreams of seeing the world.

LUISA Espinal 25-year old childhood friend of Teresa, a strong-willed leader.

CATALINO Torres 25 year old idealist who believes that worker's rights matter.

PEDRO Fernandez 40 to 60 year old Afro-Cuban cigar roller, a survivor of the Cuban war for Independence.

IRINA Fernandez 40 to 60 year old dark-skinned Afro-Caribbean woman dedicated to Pedro.

ESTEVAN Flores 25 year old Afro-Caribbean laborer who lives in West Tampa.

ALEJANDRO Lado 35 year old Cuba foreman at the factory.

DIEGO (Obrero) Cuban worker who believes in Catalino's way.

FERMIN (Obrero) Headstrong Cuban worker who believes in Catalino's way.

OSCAR (Obrero) Italian worker who is very afraid of losing his job

Roman FUENTE The factory owner who may be played by a doubled actor.

CLARA (Obrero) Oscar’s wife. A young Italian mother who works when she can.

Development History

  • Workshop
    ,
    Punto Space
    ,
    2018
  • Workshop
    ,
    University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
    ,
    2016
  • Workshop
    ,
    Strasberg Institute, New York City
    ,
    2015

Production History

  • Professional
    ,
    Brooklyn Tavern Theatre/The Players NYC
    ,
    2020
  • University
    ,
    University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
    ,
    2017