TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Actor brings one of his heroes to life

Photo from the Florida Humanities Council

Chaz Mena will perform "Charla, a Chat with Jose Marti" at 1 p.m. today at the West Tampa Branch Library.

ADVERTISEMENT

By JOSE PATINO GIRONA

The Tampa Tribune

Published: April 25, 2009

TAMPA - Since age 6, Chaz Mena has revered Jose Marti, the 19th-century Cuban patriot, poet, journalist and thinker.

Now the New York-based actor who has a recurring role in the television show "Law and Order" is playing Marti in a one-act play.

Mena's Chautauqua performance, "Charla, a Chat with Jose Marti," will be presented at 1 p.m. today at the West Tampa Branch Library, 2312 W. Union St. The program is free.

The play begins when Marti came to Ybor City for one week in November 1891. The Cuban Workers Federation invited Marti to speak and promote Cuban independence from Spain.

After Mena completes his monologue, the performance turns into a question-and-answer session with the audience while Mena remains in character.

Mena says Marti is relevant today.

"We are at a crossroad in our American democracy," Mena said.

"We need to decide which way to go. Marti was dealing with those issues in his day."

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT