Currently running at the Casa 0101 theater until February 25
By Bel Hernandez Castillo
Actress/Playwright Odalys Nanin’s Garbo’s Cuban Lover currently running at Casa 0101 transforms us back to the 1930 Hollywood era and the love affairs of some of the most well known actresses of those times — and at the heart of the story is Mercedes De Acosta (played by Nanin), the “bisexual seducer of the stars” as she was once called.
The characters are based on what is known of De Acosta’s affair with actress Greta Garbo (played by Lydie Denier)as told through the letters she wrote to De Acosta . Additionally, De Acosta’s own memoir Here Lies The Heart recounts her affair with Garbo, Marlene Dietrich, Isadora Duncan, and Tallulah Bankhead among others.
Nanin’s play, which is co-directed by Nanin and Angela Nicholas, is a reimagined version on how De Acosta became Garbo’s Cuban lover. It’s a rare look into the “untold Hollywood stories”, in this case about a proud Cubana whose personality and style turned took Tinseltown by storm. Her on-again and off-again tryst with Garbo lasted more than three decades. The stories of all these women who would now be referred to as LGBTQ, are a true revelation of the times. This women were bold but cautious not to expose their sexual proclivities, but were nonetheless courageous enough to live the lives they chose.
In 2001 when Garbo’s Cuban Lover has its world premiere in Los Angeles, the play landed on multiple Critic’s Choice lists, as well as being named to the Ten Best Plays by Advocate Magazine.
“It’s the play that haunts me,” Nanin announced, then proceeds to explain what inspired her to tell this story.
Nanin began her research after reading a magazine article that talked about Garbo’s love letters she sent to De Acosta. She traveled to the Rosenbach Museum in Philadelphia to read the letters for herself in 2000.
Nanin says she immediately felt a strong connection to De Acosta and explained, “De Acosta was a pisces and I am a pisces. She was born March 1st. I was born March 16. She’s Cuban. I’m Cuban,” she enumerated, and adds. “Her father was Cuban and her mother was from Spain. Well my grandparents were from Spain. I am thinking OMG,” Nanin marvels. “And then she was an “out” Latina in the 1930 which I would not have had the bravery to do that.” Nanin also identifies as Lesbian, Latina, and writer, as did De Acosta. It wasn’t until she was in her 40’s that Nanin was finally able to came “out” to her dad.
The fateful incidents that encompassed the writing, casting, and the eventual opening of Garbo’s Cuban Lover in Los Angeles presented monumental challenges for Nanin. During the casting of her play, her father passed away and she had to stop production to travel to Miami for the funeral. And, five days before she was to have the world premiere of her passion play, the horrific tragedy of 9-11 shocked the world on September 15, 2001.
“It was a rough time,” Nanin declared
Nanin debated whether to cancel the opening of the film, but in the end she took the saying “the show must go on” to heart and opened. To her surprise the audience not only came out but the show received a standing ovation.
The production at Casa 0101 sets the tone of the era with an impressive set design (by Marco de Leon) and music of the 30’s. The writing captivates the audience who get a glimpse of unflinching women, proud women, who owe no one an explanation for their lifestyle.
The cast, led by Nanin, is a tour de force with performances by Lydie Denier (Greta Garbo), Bruna Bertossi (Poppy Kirk/Starlet), Kesia Elwin (Isadora Duncan ), Myeva Surjik (Salka Viertel), and Katie Patel (Marlene Dietrch) and Skip Pipo, the sole male in the cast, shines as Irving Thalberg, Editor and Mr. Van Stein.
Garbo’s Cuban Lover is a Macha Theater production co-directed by Nanin and Angela Nicholas and produced by Trish Moran and Begonya de Salvo, with costume designs by Angela Nickolas.
Garbo’s Cuban Lover final performances are on February 18, 19, 24 and 25.
Don’t want to miss it!
Casa 0101, located at 2102 1st St, Los Angeles, CA 90033. For tickets: Log on to Casa 0101