You would think I'd be used to it by now because it happens everywhere I go. But I'm not. (Used to it, that is.)
Here's how the scene usually plays out:
Me: “You're from Cuba? So am I.”
Cuban Person I Just Met: “I'm from *insert town in Cuba* and I know your *mother, father, sibling, dog's cat*”
Me: “Shut. Up.”
So last weekend, my daughter Amy Kikita and I went to see Jay Alvarez in his amazing one-man show called, “Be careful! The Sharks Will Eat You!” at the Hollywood Fringe Theater of Note.
In this incredible one-man show, Jay reenacts the story of his family's harrowing escape from Cuba by boat in 1964. He introduces each of the characters in his remarkable true family drama and makes you feel you know each one.
The show gets it's name from the terrifying/hilarious moment when 4 1/2 year old Jay is throwing up over the side of the boat as his family is escaping Cuba and gets this wonderfully Cuban admonition from one of the adults in the boat. As he laughingly points out, “Who says this to a child?”
His gift is his ability to connect with the quintissential Cubaness of it all and to tell his story with both comedy and poignancy.
Jay very acurately took us through the history of Cuba from the late 50's through the beginnings of the revolution and wove these historical facts into his family's personal drama.
We laughed. We cried. We collectively held our breath. Our hearts broke. We sighed in relief. Jay has taken the Cuban gift for storytelling to a phenomenal level. This show is a MUST SEE.
We waited to meet him after the show and stood outside with other fellow show-goers to congratulate him. Obviously most of us were Cuban, and we commented to one another about how incredible the story was and how talented Jay is.
When he came out to greet us on the sidewalk outside the theater, we applauded once again. Did I mention that this show is a MUST SEE?
One sweet little lady stopped him immediately and began questioning him about his parents, which he mentions in the show: Humberto and Chiqui.
Sweet Cuban Lady: “I'm from Matanzas, too. Was Chiqui, your mother, also known as 'Chiquitica?' She was raised in my home.”
This revelation happened as the show had unfolded and she was checking to see if it was true. Sure enough. This smart actor's mother had been raised in the Sweet Cuban Lady's home in Matanzas. And here they were, 3,000 miles and 60+ years later connecting in a little theater in Hollywood. Shut. Up. That just doesn't happen in real life.
She exchanged information with this talented actor and one of the younger gals with her was about to take a photo of her with Jay. It was too dark on the street, so Amy offered to take it with her flash and email to her. (Yay, Smart Phones!)
So, in case you haven't been paying attention, let me recap: This lady's sister was best friends with this actor's mother back in Cuban in the 50's. Got that?
There's more…
Amy finished taking the photo for them and asked for an email address to send it to. The younger gal in that group said, “Just send it to my mom. Here's her email address.” And she starts rattling off letters as she spells her mom's name while Amy dutifully punches these into her phone.
This is when I peek over Amy's shoulder to read the email address on the phone, because somehow that name sounded familiar…..
Me: “Manduley? Is your family from Holguin?” (Town in Cuba.)
Her (with a surprised look on her face): “Yes!”
Me: “What's your name?”
Her: “Margarita Manduley.”
Me: “Then Mario Manduley was your father?” (You see where this is going, don't you?)
Me again: “Your grandmother and my grandmother…….were sisters.”
*collective gasp*
Internets, meet my long, lost cousin, Margarita Manduley. Our grandmothers were sisters. (Her father and my mother were first cousins, but that's not important right now.) I know. Shut. UP!
We took the party out to Studio City to an amazing tapas bar called Bokado, located at: 12345 Ventura Blvd., CA 91604, (shameless plug) which is conveniently owned by Margarita's husband, Frank Leon and so celebrated our new-found family with fabulous tapas and toasted with mojitos.
Thanks, Jay Alvarez, for the gift of your phenomenal storytelling and for managing to reunite two families in one unforgettable evening.
Like I always say: It's a small (Cuban) world after all. 😉
For performance information, follow Jay and "Be Careful! The Sharks Will Eat You!" on Facebook.
Wow Marta!!! This is incredible!!!!
Marta this story is amazing!! While reading it I got to caught up in the story that I forgot that I’m part of the story!!The Show is going back to LA end of July early August. It was chosen as a “Best of Fringe” show. I’ll keep you posted!
Shut. UP!
P.s. Jay, is the show coming back to Miami? I was unable to go in May. I’ve heard wonderful things about it, and would love to see it.
I know. Right?? I just love it when stuff like this happens. Makes me believe that God’s hand is right in the mix of my life. =D
Congratulations, Jay!Please send me dates and I’ll be sure to tell everyone I know. Again, a PHENOMENAL show!
Besos,
Marta
😉
I have been recounting this story to everyone I’ve seen this week! (but you say it much better Marta) What an amazing coincidence to find long lost relatives, and that you really like them too. And then to find that my favorite u tube video of all times, “cuco y yayu” is actually my… aunt?
Definitely let us know when the show is back in town. I’m telling all my Cuban friends!
Well, imagine that. I am a Manduley from Holguin. My father is Octavio R. Manduley and my mother is Betty Almaguer. Manduley is not a common name so once again your theory is proven correct. Small world, if you’re Cuban! Love your blog!!!Bea Manduley Jones
Damn right it is… even smaller when they’re gone
Truth is all the people we count on to remember who knew who are gone, and if there’s one things Cubans have in common, it’s a desire to feel familiar.
That is so incredibly awesome! You do live a charmed life, Marta!
Most definitely, let us know.
I’m dying to go see the show…I am a “prima-postisa” to Jay’s niece. I haven’t been able to see the show because I don’t live in Miami anymore and NY is a bit of a commute. I’m hoping that he will eventually bring the show somewhere in New England (I am convinced I am the only Cuban in Concord, NH!!)
Awesome! All the Manduleys are related. According to the Manduley yahoo group we are the second most authentic Cuban surname. (I don’t know what the first one is…bacardi maybe? There is a great family tree that some other Manduleys have been working on, I can send it to you if you like. Where do you live?
i have to share this with my parent’s… b/c ur right: we are everywhere!!!! i met some Cuban women in Monaco of all places, dancing… they used to dance at la Tropicana… but we’ve had so many similar stories but none like meeting family that close! I love it! don’t we just rule! 🙂
and, nice to meet all the Cubans here!! I’m in Atlanta where there are very, very few of us…. which is why I go home to D.C. so often—to be with my crazy, over the top Cuban family…
First let me say… ahem… GET OUTTA TOWN!!! Secondly let me say that your response to Ody’s comment was spot on. God connects us with everything, our lives, our families and our friends. And this is just one example of Him making the unseemingly possible happen before our very eyes. *Steps off of soapbox*
Just to add another degree of connection here….Mom tells me she and her six sisters were great friends with Teresita Manduley from Holguin. Im not sure how she’s related to the Manduleys mentioned above, but, there you have it. Mom also tells me the Manduleys owned a theater in Holguin but couldnt remember the name.
Yes she was. I am a Manduley born in Holguin. Wonderful history with the Manduley family. My mom was an Almaguer. It’s 2018 and I am just now reading this. So glad I found this!
My grandmother is cuban, she lived in the habanna , this story is really inspiring, while reading it I was so excited that I couldn´t hide my smile, I am so very happy about cubans finding each other
OMG This gave me chills and made me want to cry!! I love this! And you are so right, everywhere I go, it’s the same thing. I tend bar in Atlanta and met a Cuban (rare) there who was a guest at the bar. He said he was from San Antonio De Los Baños which is where my grandparents are from! i have never ever met anyone from that place. I called my grandfather and it turned out, his father and my grandfather were best friends and there was a publication that came out once and had a picture of the two of them as kids in it. Awww. *teary eyed* (in your words..) “i know, shut up!” Us Cubans cry for anything lol. I’m happy to see this blog is still up and running.