Hector Medina

“BORROWED,” the new thriller film based on the play by Tony-winning producer JIM KIERSTEAD (pictured) is a big hit at The Miami Film Fesitval.  Last night’s debut screening was sold out and an additional screening has been scheduled for tomorrow night (Friday, March 11) at the Silverspot Cinema13 @ 9:45pm.

Pure Joy turned into Grief and Terror then finally Relief coursed through me. For 90 minutes, I was completely immersed in the experience that is AMPARO. And that is exactly what AMPARO is; a complete theatrical experience. As I am writing this I can still feel all the emotions I went through when I first participated in AMPARO. I say participated because you don't watch AMPARO, you live it. I also haven't stopped talking about it to anyone who will listen and even now when I describe the experience as I am urging family and friends to GO SEE IT, I get goosebumps. I fear that I won't do the experience justice with my mere words but I will do my best.

Approximately 330 miles…That's how far Havana, Cuba is from Miami, Florida. Within that space lies a distance of less than an hour. However, to some people it might as well be a lifetime away. I remember all my childhood being told about what Cuba used to be by my grandparents. As a third generation Cuban American living in Miami, Florida, as soon as we start to crawl, you are hearing about the good ole days before Fidel Castro stole Cuba from the people - people who still long for home. So I was thrilled to research into AMPARO. This one of a kind immersive theater experience is based on the compelling, true story of an immigrant family's triumph through exile. From present-day Miami to 1957-Cuba, where you will follow cast members through the Cuban Revolution, bearing witness to the story of the Arechabala family--founders of THE REAL HAVANA CLUB rum.

The International Film Festival North Hollywood released its list of final nominations for major award categories today.

Boston Children's Theatre combined its recent 50th anniversary presentation of the classic musical West Side Story with a potent message: gang violence has tragic consequences. Multi-racial and multi-ethnic kids from Boston's inner city and its more affluent suburbs shared the stage - and drove their points home in dramatic fashion.