American Players Theatre: Anna In The Tropics

Melisa Pereyra and Ronald Román-Meléndez

American Players Theatre Presents ANNA IN THE TROPICS Review - Cuba Is For Lovers

TLDR: Set in hot and humid Florida, a Cuban family relishes in their traditions inside the family owned cigar factory. They each explore their individual relationships - with each other, with their partners, and outside their familial ties as well. 

The cast of Anne In The Tropics

The Temperatures Are Rising

Three women wait out on the dock while a ship arrives, fanning themselves from the heat and their excitement. Three men behind them stand ready to place their bets as the pregonero calls out the next fight. They switch back and forth between scenes as the women wait to greet their incoming lector and the men gamble at a cockfight. The men argue over money. The women discuss what they hope the new stories will be. Two very different beginnings, but both ultimately lead to the family cigar factory. They join and bring the new lector into the factory who will read to them as they each sit at their stations and roll cigars by hand. 

We feel the humid air of the factory combined with the heavy and intentional air of the actors as they deliver their lines. The lector sits above the factory floor on his pulpit, book in hand, dabbing his brow with a handkerchief. As the sun fades over The Hill and decorative lanterns are brought out to hang, we feel the warm, dusky glow of a summer party. There are moments where it seems like our actors are reciting poetry to us as they describe their feelings. When they light a cigar, it’s a poetic ritual. One passes a cigar to someone who presents it to the next. They each close their eyes and experience the moment in their own ways. Inhaling to taste the multi-layered flavors of the tobacco. Exhaling to release the smoke and be enveloped in its warm embrace. Anna in the Tropics creates an atmosphere that draws us in to their changing world and how one incoming person can change everything.

Love Runs Deep in This Family

As with many family businesses, there’s always the possibility of the standard trope of the next generation not wanting to work at said business while their parents expect them too. Here, in Anna in the Tropics the family is close and all share the passion for working in the factory. We feel the love and pride this family has from owning their work, complete with continuing traditions that make their cigars the best.

Elizabeth Ledo as Ofelia does not let anyone cross her path. She speaks with authority and confidence that the traditions they have in their factory are the way. She’s proud and firm, but knows when to crack a smile and be soft and loving for her family. She smiles through every proclamation and we find ourselves standing up straight, with our heads held high as she does.

Triney Sandoval is a little all over the place as Santiago finds himself in a large gambling debt. His pride prevents him from showing his face in the factory after it. But we see his change of heart as he rights his wrongs and gets his act together with support from his loving wife. He gets his head on his shoulders and when he dons his light blue suit at the cigar launch party, he is now back to being the confident business owner with a rum-soaked toast.

Sam Luis Massaro creates layers to his character. He’s the half brother to Santiago, so his blood carries him into the business, but only so far. Massaro knows this and so he’s a little fumbling, unsure of how far he can push. He attempts confidence and tries asserting himself by bringing in modern ideas to the business. He knows the cards to play when he has an advantage, but when Ledo calls his bluff, he’s put back in his place and scrambles for his footing.

The Tension Boils Over

The sisters are romantics at heart. Phoebe González as Marela stares wistfully into the distance as she imagines far off, exotic places like Russia as they read Anna Karenina. Melisa Pereyra as Conchita tries to ask her husband for more connection, but the steadfast and solemn Yona Moises Olivares brushes her away.

It seems they have typecast Ronald Román-Meléndez this season as he plays not only the romantic lover in Fallen Angels, but also here as Juan Julián. Every movement he makes feels smooth and confident. He removes his hat and holds it against his chest. He slowly fans the wisps of smoke as he exhales from a cigar  His and Cochita’s affair starts with seemingly innocuous conversations, like about hair, but the deeper, implied meaning behind it becomes clear and the tension starts to grow. They circle each other, getting closer and closer until their desire can’t be contained and it becomes a telenovela of passion. They grab on to each other, spinning one another around the factory floor and pin each other against walls as they finally give in. 

Triney Sandoval, Phoebe González, Melisa Pereyra, and Elizabeth Ledo

The After Party Thoughts

The vibes coming off this production are full of life. You have the family as they stand proud of their work and feel the different pulls they have from their different ties. Ledo and Sandoval have a moment as they argue over his gambling and recklessness with the factory, but unspoken feelings pass between them as they get closer and hold hands. We have González full of life and optimism for what she hopes to accomplish. And then there’s Pereyra stuck in a marriage and finds her own self as she boldly follows her heart and desires. 

With each of these characters we understand their motivations and the why behind them. We’re enveloped in this world brought to life by the poetic language our actors deliver written by Nilo Cruz. Throughout all of Anna in the Tropics, we feel the heat as if we’re in Miami and the heat of passion as it radiates off each member. 

For those that aren’t a fan of relationship plays (both familial and romantic), or one that features smoking/cigars, this show would not be for you. If you’re a fan of plays that romanticize following your heart, desires, and romance and make you believe in traditions, Anna in the Tropics would be a good fit for you. 

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

The cast of Anna In The Tropics

When

Now through September 26, 2025

Where

American Players Theatre

Hill Theatre

5950 Golf Course Road

Spring Green, WI 53588

Runtime: 2hrs 25min, including intermission

Tickets

$69+

Tickets can be purchased through the American Players Theatre website

Photos

Michael Brosilow

CAST

Triney Sandoval (Santiago)  

Sam Luis Massaro (Cheché)  

Elizabeth Ledo (Ofelia)  

Phoebe González (Marela)  

Melisa Pereyra (Conchita)  

Yona Moises Olivares (Palomo)  

Ronald Román-Meléndez (Juan Julian)  

Jose Cervantes (Eliades)

CREATIVE

Robert Ramirez (Director)  

Elisa Gonzales (Voice & Text Coach)  

Marilet Martinez (Assistant Director & Movement and Intimacy Director)  

Ryan M. Prendergast (Dramaturg)  

Raquel Adorno (Costume Design)  

Josafath Reynoso (Scenic Design)  

Jason Lynch (Lighting Design)  

Maaz Ahmed (Associate Lighting Designer)  

Willow James (Music Composition & Sound Design)  

Kate Lopez (Assistant Costume Design)  

Nora Murphy (Stage Management Assistant)  

Krista Kanderski (Assistant Stage Manager)  

Ryan Barrett (Stage Manager)