Juana Bacallao inspires theatrical work that will celebrate her centenary in Havana

The irreverent and overflowing life of the sensational Juana Bacallao will -tentatively- take the stage in Havana this November with "The Name of Juana", a theatrical work that will pay tribute to her centenary.

Directed by Osvaldo Doimeadiós and starring Monse Duany, the production will revive the rise of the iconic artist from poverty to the center of the Cuban entertainment scene, featuring a blend of music, dramatization, and anecdotes filled with humor, resilience, and genuine Cuban spirit, according to an exclusive from Café Fuerte.

The show originates from the book Juana la Cubana. Juana Bacallao: Interviews and Testimonies (2025), by writer and producer Lázaro Caballero Aranzola, and is under the authorship and direction of renowned actor and comedian Osvaldo Doimeadiós.

According to Doimeadiós' explanation to Café Fuerte, this is not a traditional biography, but rather a piece inspired by the irreverent and combative spirit of Juana, a black and impoverished woman who made her mark in a hostile world to become an icon of Cuban entertainment.

"The work relates to that fantasy realm that the artist creates, with that mask that she always tried to wear, which is common to all artists," explained the acclaimed and recognized actor.

A star-studded lineup for an unforgettable figure

The actress Monse Duany, one of the most versatile figures in contemporary Cuban theater, will portray Juana Bacallao in what promises to be another stellar role in her career, which already includes iconic portrayals such as María Antonia, Emelina Cundiamor, and La Lupe.

According to the cited source, the production will also feature original music by Swiss composer Jean Bruno JB Meier, costumes designed by Angolan designer Ángela Kadima, and collaboration with Brazilian DJ Alessandra Moura.

Doimeadiós, who leads the Isla Navigating Project, confessed that it was reading Caballero's book and his conversations with him and Duany that gave him the "final push" to embark on creating this work of fiction based on real events, with anecdotes drawn from Juana's life and seasoned with symbolic elements from the scenic imagination.

Juana, a symbol of irreverence and resistance

Born as Neris Amelia Martínez Salazar on May 26, 1925, Juana Bacallao became, from her first appearances in Havana theaters in the 1940s, a symbol of audacity, talent, and resilience.

Her rise from the most humble jobs to stardom in cabarets and stages where she shared the spotlight with legends like Benny Moré, Celeste Mendoza, and Rita Montaner solidified her as a unique figure in Cuban popular culture.

Passed away in Havana in February 2024 at the age of 98, her legacy remains alive in collective memory and, now, also on the theater stage.

The legacy of Lázaro Caballero

The author of the book that inspires the work, Lázaro Caballero Aranzola, has been for decades a passionate chronicler of Cuban music and culture. His work in gathering anecdotes and testimonies from artists such as Lupe Yolí, Aymée Nuviola, and Rolando Laserie—whom he dedicated the only existing biography to, ¡De película! Rolando Laserie—has established him as one of the most discerning researchers of Cuban entertainment.

Her proximity to Juana Bacallao allowed her to reconstruct, through multiple voices, the portrait of an artist who broke molds and challenged the boundaries of stigma and marginality.

Frequently Asked Questions about Juana Bacallao and the play "The Name of Juana"