The Story . . .

This is a true but little-known story about a woman who almost became First Lady of Cuba.

Exiled to Mexico, Fidel Castro plots—along with his brother Raúl and Ernesto “Che” Guevara—to overthrow the government of Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista. What Fidel does not anticipate is falling in love with a Mexican school teacher, Lía Cámara. Since Fidel has been ordered to use an assumed name (Alejandro) Lía has no idea of his true identity. They both hit it off splendidly. But Fidel must abandon her to wage revolution in Cuba.

Fidel rises to power, and Lía and her family are shocked when they recognize "Alejandro" on the TV news. Months after consolidating power, he sends for her. She flies to Havana and is received as a dignitary. She tours Cuba and decides to stay, where she finds herself establishing a rural school system to bring literacy to millions of Cuban peasants. In short order, however, she begins to have misgivings as the Revolution takes a dark, totalitarian turn.

Torn between her love for "Alejandro" (Fidel has asked her to marry him and become the First Lady), and her convictions, she abruptly decides that she leave Cuba. Heartbroken, Fidel goes about his Revolution—lashing out with anger and terror against his political opponents—but across the decades honors the memory of his great love for a Mexican schoolteacher. Lía loved Alejandro, but could not tolerate the cruel dictator Fidel.

Song Selections

The Havana Airport Terminal, 1961. People are leaving the country in droves!

Good-bye, Havana! (Company) (Performed by the composer)

The cast welcomes the audience to Mérida, Mexico, a city where love rules

Mérida! (Company) 
 
Our wandering TROVADORES ("Troubadours") set the stage. They will be our musical narrators, and play the minor roles)

Island in the Sea (Trovadores) 
 

Fidel Castro is released from a Cuban prison and banished to Mexico. He tells his jailors and officials that they haven't seen the last of him!

I'll Be Back! (Fidel, Trovadores)
  

Exiled to Mexico and forced to use an assumed name ("Alejandro Gonzales") Fidel meets a schoolteacher, Lía Cámara, on a bus ride.

A Fascinating Conversation (Fidel, Lia) (Performed by the composer)
 

Lía has met Alejandro (Fidel's assigned name) and she feels  her perceptions changing.

Is Today a Holiday?  (Lía)

Lía and Fidel go to the beautiful beach in Mérida. She takes Fidel's picture. We see the picture she takes as Fidel freezes momentarily in tableau.

A Picture Perfect Picnic

Lia wonders if she can make a lifetime commitment to Alejandro (Fidel)

Love Means Always

Alejandro must return to Cuba. Lía doesn't understand why he must leave her, even if he promises to return later or send for her.

How Could I Not Love You? (Fidel, Lía)

Fidel, his brother Raul, and Che Guevara plan their revolution while in exile in Mexico City.
They pause to pray and honor their devotion to Cuba with a patriotic ballad.

El Palacio (Fidel, Raul, Che) (Performed by the composer)


The revolutionaries celebrate their victory at a festive gathering.

I Won't Dance With Anyone (Raul, Company)

Lía and Fidel are in love, and wonder at that realization.

How Wonderful (Lía, Fidel) (Performed by the composer)

Lía's father, Pedro, worries about his daughter's impending marriage to Fidel, who the family now realizes was the Alejandro they knew.

My Little Girl  (Pedro)
 

Lía teaches her class of Cuban peasants. She wants the students to think for themselves. Che observes and disapproves of her methods. He wants her to indoctrinate students in communism, not encourage them to think.

Mr. Socrates (Lía, Students) (Performed by the composer)
 
Lia, engaged to Fidel, is having second thoughts.

Soliloquy (Lía, Trovadores)