"Cuba's Youngest Cultural Ambassadors Make Rare U.S. Appearance"

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Sep 29, 2011, 09:00 ET

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 29, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- La Colmenita, an internationally acclaimed Cuban children's theater group and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, is bringing its high-energy mix of theatrics and song to Washington, New York and San Francisco, with a private performance at the United Nations Oct. 24

The Oct. 15-29 tour, which is sponsored by the New York-based Brownstone Foundation, will give American audiences a unique opportunity to meet some of Cuba's most talented young people, a generation that has been raised in the shadow of a decades-long U.S. embargo.

Since its formation in 1990, La Colmenita, which translates to "The Little Beehive," has charmed audiences in more than 25 countries. Fans of the group include actors Susan Sarandon, Danny Glover and Mike Farrell and singers Jackson Browne and Harry Belafonte. British actress Vanessa Redgrave called them "The Soul of Cuba."

During its two-week visit, the cast of La Colmenita looks forward to forging friendships with young Americans. Their visit comes at an important moment in U.S.-Cuba relations, with leaders in both countries acknowledging the importance of cultural diplomacy.

La Colmenita productions are often based on familiar fairy tales and music, but with a creative Cuban twist. La Cucarachita Martina tells the story of Martina, a beautiful cockroach in search of a suitor who can capture her heart with his music. Abracadabra, which was written by children, touches on the U.S.-Cuba relationship. In the play, a teacher takes her students on a journey in search of truth and justice.

This is La Colmenita's second visit to the United States. The tour begins in Washington with performances at the Kay Chapel at American University Oct. 15 and the Duke Ellington School of the Arts Oct. 19. In New York, they will perform at Hostos Center for the Arts and Culture Oct. 21 and PS 154 – The Harriet Tubman Learning Center Oct. 22. In northern California, they will be at the East Bay Center for the Performing Arts Oct. 26 and Fort Mason Center in San Francisco Oct. 28 and 29. They will also be holding private performances at several schools. Plays will be performed in Spanish with English supertitles.