Philadelphia Theatre Company presents Paige Hernandez’s Havana Hop

Stage fright and soul flight

The show follows Yeila (Hernandez), a young woman with dreams of pursuing her passion for performing arts but suffering from a devastating case of stage fright. Despite her fear, she musters the courage to audition for a local festival. Sensing Yeila’s lack of confidence, the festival leaders encourage her to “find her roots,” leading her on a voyage of self-discovery.

In this dynamic performance directed by Danielle Drakes, Hernandez evokes the exuberant energy of childhood. Focusing on key themes like identity and self-confidence, the show avoids a preachy tone, instead spreading its message via a rhythmic, interactive dialogue that keeps the young audience physically and intellectually captivated throughout the performance.

An effervescent Hernandez pivots between playful musical numbers (original music by Nick “Nick tha 1da” Hernandez and Kris Funn) and reflective interludes of authenticity without missing a beat, keeping the audience engaged throughout the show. The theater comes to life as Hernandez encourages the audience to dance in the aisles, sing along with her in Spanish, and recite essential life quotes from her mother. By inviting the audience to contribute to the music and story, Hernandez transforms a typically static experience into a spirited communal journey.

Flexible design

The set design (Kris Funn) is understated and straightforward, an open invitation for the audience to fill the space with their own imaginations and interact with Hernandez. The uncluttered stage features a tiny black stool and a set of small steps placed on opposite sides allowing Hernandez to effortlessly move, dance, and frolic without the performance space feeling crowded. The edges of the stage are outlined by several modest rectangular banners featuring words and images that shaped Hernandez’s life. The terms family, identity, and hip hop are prominently highlighted in bold, black letters along with gray visuals of a disco ball, turntables, the Cuban flag, and headphones, reinforcing the show’s themes.

Projections by Hernandez and Ruthmarie Tenorio provide most of the show’s scenic backdrop, with a screen directly above the stage becoming a gateway to a variety of settings. The audience first meets Yeila in a burst of lime green: her animated living room, reminiscent of a children’s cartoon, features a teal-blue couch with matching lamps and a lime-green rug. Later, as Yeila treks to her audition, the digital scenery features a bustling city block in D.C. with commercial buildings, noise, and lots of traffic. As the show progresses, on screen, the audience witnesses Havana, Cuba coming to life with its vintage American cars, giddy children walking to school, and women perched in the window frames, watching the street below. This brilliantly flexible staging allows instant scenic transitions that keep the energy flowing for the 60-minute runtime.

The show’s costumes echo the minimalistic design. Hernandez dons a simple outfit of black leggings featuring a confetti print of red and gold, a black t-shirt with Be True, Be You, B Fly blazoned across the front, and black and gold Air Jordan sneakers, all of which casually allow her physicality to take center stage.

To quickly transform into Yeila’s mother and grandmother, Hernandez dons a pair of blue glasses or a beige scarf on her head, respectively. These subtle transitions are just as transformative as a full wardrobe change.

Loving your own drum

A masterclass in engagement, Havana Hop is a beautiful reminder that our distinct rhythms are what make us special. It is an extraordinary, vibrant treasure that gives kids the confidence to march and dance to the beat of their own drum.