Yeila (Paige Hernandez) practices a dance using Spanish words for parts of a tree in “Havana Hop.” Photo by Margot Schulman.
Open the program for Havana Hop at Imagination Stage, and you are immediately greeted by a diagram showing the step-by-step footwork for a “Cuban style” salsa. The instructions, the pre-show soundtrack, and the excited chattering of an audience full of kids set the tone perfectly for Paige Hernandez’s autobiographical show exploring culture, family, and identity.
…unlike any show I’ve seen there…readily engages with topics that could otherwise feel heavy…in a direct, yet child-friendly, way.
When Yeila (Hernandez) wants to perform in the Cherry Blossom Festival nothing can get in her way except her struggles with stage fright. As she invites the audience to join her at her audition, on an impromptu trip to Cuba, and finally at the Festival, Yeila discovers her roots and builds her confidence. She embraces the power of memories and creates a new, hip-hop style influenced by her grandmother’s love of salsa.
“Havana Hop” is a unique piece of interactive children’s theatre first commissioned by Wolf Trap Institute for Early Learning that has toured around the country, including at NYC’s Lincoln Center and Seattle Children’s Theatre. In her Director’s Note, Hernandez explains the power of kinesthetic learning, specifically how inviting audiences to move helps people engage with the themes of the show and remember what they’ve learned. And move we did! From learning hip-hop steps as we headed to Yeila’s audition to trying out salsa moves while spelling C-U-B-A, the audience was on its feet for half the performance. Add in opportunities for raising hands to answer questions and reflect on our own artistic interests, the show captured every child’s attention.
Despite the fast pace of the show, the cast and creative and production teams still found time to excel technically. Hernandez played three characters simultaneously and used physical acting and Andrea “Dre” Moore’s minimalist props to clearly distinguish between them. Dominic DeSalvio’s light design and Kiefer Cure’s audio engineering transformed the mostly bare stage and transported the audience.
Although Hernandez has performed in other Imagination Stage shows and refers to the Bethesda children’s theatre as a creative home, “Havana Hop” is unlike any show I’ve seen there. It readily engages with topics that could otherwise feel heavy—Alzheimer’s, immigration experiences, familial acceptance—in a direct, yet child-friendly, way. Somewhere between a record player, an old armchair, and a video projection of a city street, “Havana Hop” comes to life, reminding the audience of their cultural gifts and those of their neighbors.
Running Time: Fifty minutes with no intermission.
Advisory: Recommended for ages 5+.
“Havana Hop” runs through March 7, 2026 at Imagination Stage, 4908 Auburn Avenue, Bethesda, MD 20814. For more information and to purchase tickets, call the Box Office at 301-280-1660, Tuesday-Friday, 10 am–2 pm. (On Saturday and Sunday, the box office opens 30 minutes prior to performance), or go online.
