CUBA SI

Written and performed by Jim Stowell
Directed by Ron Peluso 
Produced by the History Theater, St. Paul, MN
Playwright/Actor-Jim Stowell
Scenic Design-Tom Berger
Lighting Design-Stephen J. Pax
Costume Design-Aimee Jillson
Sound Design-Stephen J. Pax
Properties Design-Aimee Jillson

“Jim Stowell is more than a storyteller in ‘Cuba Si,’ his recollection and reconciliation of things past. He is a weaver of exquisite skills who draws distinct and disparate threads into a tapestry vibrant with the colors of politics, history and personal regret. This two-hour, two act play presents Stowell at his best and most compelling. It begins with a nightmare and ends with a wondrous dream of hope. Stowell has long been an adept, risky and courageous spinner of tales, but what’s most impressive in ‘Cuba Si’ is his skill as a writer. This play is finely structured, each division leading easily to the next, and all serving a grander purpose that makes this tapestry an artistic and brilliant work. Stowell, the area’s premier storyteller has never been better.” (January 8, 1997)

“What could be a more glorious way to get through a cold January night than to sit around and hear a great yarn from Jim Stowell, a master storyteller? Stowell has outdone himself with ‘Cuba Si’ which weaves three seemingly unconnected tales into a perfect, poignant whole. His journey from Minneapolis to Texas, Mexico and onto Havana hilariously depicts 300 left-wing liberals with good hearts and poor organizational skills trying to get to Cuba despite personal and political agendas, border police, the Feds, byzantine customs regulations. What ‘Cuba Si’ so poignantly illustrates is that while Stowell’s adventures in Cuba, Central America and the Amazon clearly earn him dashing dare devil status, the riskiest territory still lies in the human heart.” (1997)

Cuba Si ran for four weeks and was held over for two weeks. At this time the play was the number one non-musical money-making play in the theater’s history. The play was a hit with the audiences and the critics.